Gooey Cake Mix Monster Cookies Recipe

Ooey-Gooey Cake Mix Monster Cookies Recipe: A Sweet Treat!

Sweet-toothed bakers rejoice over this cake mix monster cookies recipe that combines playful texture with irresistible flavor.

Chocolate chips and colorful candies dance through a soft, chewy base crafted with cake mix magic.

Each cookie promises a delightful surprise of rich sweetness and tempting mix-ins.

Soft centers and crisp edges create the perfect balance of textures that make these treats impossible to resist.

The simple technique requires minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction.

Packed with nostalgic charm and crowd-pleasing appeal, these cookies transform an ordinary dessert into an extraordinary experience.

Grab a glass of cold milk and let the cookie adventure begin.

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining all ingredients smoothly.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure perfect cookie texture.
  • Tablespoon or cookie scoop: Creates uniform cookie sizes for even baking.
  • Baking sheets: Flat surface for baking cookies with consistent heat.
  • Parchment paper or silicone baking mats: Prevents sticking and easy cookie removal.
  • Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and crisp up.
  • Spatula or wooden spoon: Helps mix ingredients and fold in chocolate chips.

How to Bake Cake Mix Monster Cookies at Home

  • Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and grab your baking sheets. Line them with parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cleanup.

  • Create Cookie Dough Magic

Grab a big mixing bowl and toss in cake mix, oats, peanut butter, softened butter, eggs, and vanilla. Mix everything until it transforms into a delectable, thick dough that looks irresistible.

  • Sprinkle In Tasty Treasures

Gently fold chocolate chips and colorful candy-coated chocolates into the dough. Make sure they’re evenly distributed for maximum yumminess in every bite.

  • Shape Delightful Morsels

Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to drop dough onto prepared baking sheets. Space them about 2 inches apart so they have room to spread their delicious wings.

  • Bake To Perfection

Pop the sheets into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for slightly golden edges and centers that might seem a bit soft – they’ll firm up as they cool.

  • Cool And Enjoy

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely before devouring these scrumptious treats.

  • Let butter soften at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, even blending and perfect cookie texture.
  • Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies with more concentrated flavors.
  • Replace regular cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix to make these cookies safe for those with gluten sensitivities without compromising taste.
  • Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to increase nutritional value and create a more satisfying post-workout treat.
  • Substitute butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate chips to make these cookies friendly for those avoiding dairy products.

Ways to Serve Cake Mix Monster Cookies With Fun

  • Sweet Surprise Plating: Dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar for an elegant touch that adds a delightful visual appeal.
  • Cookie Dessert Bar: Create a stunning dessert display by arranging cookies on a decorative platter with small bowls of extra candy-coated chocolates for guests to sprinkle on top.
  • Ice Cream Sandwich Twist: Transform these soft cookies into decadent ice cream sandwiches by adding a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream between two cookies for an indulgent treat.
  • Gifting Delight: Package the cooled cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons, perfect for homemade gifts or potluck contributions that will make everyone smile.

How to Store Your Monster Cookies Like a Pro

  • Place cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with wax paper to prevent sticking. They'll stay fresh for 5-7 days when refrigerated.
  • Store at room temperature in a sealed container for 3-4 days, maintaining soft texture and delicious flavor. Keep away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
  • Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Frozen cookies remain tasty for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
  • Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for 24 hours before baking. Alternatively, scoop dough onto baking sheets and freeze raw cookie portions for spontaneous baking sessions. Label freezer bags with date and contents for easy tracking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 24

What Goes Into Cake Mix Monster Cookies

For Dry Ingredients:
  • Cake Mix: Provides sweet base and structure for the cookies, choose a vanilla or yellow cake mix for classic flavor.
  • Oats: Adds hearty texture and nutty depth, select old-fashioned rolled oats for best consistency.
For Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
  • Peanut Butter: Creates rich, creamy backbone and helps bind ingredients, opt for smooth variety for even distribution.
  • Butter: Enhances richness and helps cookies spread evenly, use unsalted for better control of saltiness.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides moisture, choose fresh large eggs at room temperature.
  • Vanilla Extract: Elevates overall flavor profile, use pure extract for most authentic taste.
For Mix-Ins and Decoration:
  • Chocolate Chips, Candy-Coated Chocolates: Bring playful sweetness and colorful visual appeal, mix different sizes and colors for fun texture.
Print
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Gooey Cake Mix Monster Cookies Recipe

Gooey Cake Mix Monster Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Monster cookies packed with colorful candies deliver pure childhood nostalgia and sweet memories. Chocolate chips, M&Ms, and oats create a playful blend that satisfies cravings for comfort and joy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 box (432 g / 15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (or white cake mix)
  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup M&Ms (Halloween colors or any variety)
  • ½ cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
  • ½ cup peanut butter chips (optional)
  • ½ cup mini pretzels, crushed (optional, for crunch)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and arrange parchment or silicone liners on baking trays.
  2. Dough Creation: Blend cake mix, oats, peanut butter, butter, eggs, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl until a robust, cohesive mixture forms, ensuring all components are thoroughly integrated.
  3. Flavor Enhancement: Delicately incorporate chocolate chips and candy-coated chocolates, stirring gently to distribute ingredients evenly throughout the dough.
  4. Cookie Formation: Utilize a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion out uniform dollops of dough, positioning them with generous spacing across prepared baking surfaces.
  5. Baking Process: Slide trays into the preheated oven and allow cookies to transform for 10-12 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges while maintaining slightly soft centers that will solidify during cooling.
  6. Finishing Touch: Let cookies rest momentarily on baking sheets to stabilize, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack, permitting complete temperature reduction before serving.

Notes

  • Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before scooping to make handling easier and prevent excessive spreading.
  • Swap candy-coated chocolates with nuts, dried fruits, or alternative chocolate types to match dietary preferences or flavor profiles.
  • Use a consistent scoop size to ensure uniform baking and even cooking throughout the batch.
  • If dough seems too dry, add a tablespoon of milk; if too wet, sprinkle additional oats to maintain perfect texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg

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William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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