Who doesn’t love a deliciously soft and chewy cookie? Cake mix cookies are a quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth, and with a few tips and tricks, you can make them even better. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these tips will help you achieve perfectly soft and chewy cake mix cookies every time.
Choose the Right Cake Mix
The first step to making soft and chewy cake mix cookies is choosing the right cake mix. While any cake mix will work, some flavors are better suited for cookies than others. For a classic taste, cookies made with cake mix are a great choice. If you want to get creative, try using a cake mix for a colorful and festive cookie. Experiment with different flavors to find your favorite.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients
Using room temperature ingredients is essential for achieving soft and chewy cake mix cookies. When ingredients like butter and eggs are at room temperature, they blend together more easily, resulting in a smoother and more even dough. To bring your ingredients to room temperature, simply leave them out on the counter for about 30 minutes before baking.
Add Extra Fat
If you want your cake mix cookies to be extra soft and chewy, try adding a little extra fat to the dough. This can be in the form of melted butter, vegetable oil, or even cream cheese. The extra fat helps to keep the cookies moist and tender, resulting in a softer and chewier texture. Just be careful not to add too much fat, as this can cause the cookies to spread too much during baking.
Don’t Overmix the Dough
When making cake mix cookies, it’s important not to overmix the dough. Overmixing can lead to tough and dry cookies. To avoid this, mix the dough just until the ingredients are combined. It’s okay if there are a few lumps remaining. As the cookies bake, the lumps will melt and create a soft and chewy texture.
Add Mix-Ins
One of the best things about cake mix cookies is that you can easily customize them with your favorite mix-ins. Whether it’s chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, or even candy pieces, adding mix-ins can take your cookies to the next level. Just be sure to fold them into the dough gently so they are evenly distributed.
Chill the Dough
Chilling the dough before baking is an important step for achieving soft and chewy cake mix cookies. When the dough is chilled, the fat in the dough solidifies, resulting in less spreading during baking. This helps to create a thicker and more tender cookie. Simply cover the dough and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before shaping and baking.
Use a Cookie Scoop
To ensure that your cake mix cookies are uniform in size and shape, use a cookie scoop. A cookie scoop allows you to portion out the dough easily, resulting in cookies that bake evenly. It also helps to create a round and uniform shape. If you don’t have a cookie scoop, you can use a tablespoon to portion out the dough.
Underbake Slightly
One of the secrets to achieving perfectly soft and chewy cake mix cookies is to slightly underbake them. When the cookies are removed from the oven, they will continue to cook and set as they cool. By underbaking them slightly, you ensure that they stay soft and chewy even after they have cooled. Keep an eye on the cookies and remove them from the oven when they are just set around the edges.
Store Properly
Once your cake mix cookies have cooled, it’s important to store them properly to maintain their soft and chewy texture. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding a slice of bread to the container can help to keep the cookies soft by absorbing excess moisture. If stored properly, cake mix cookies can stay soft and chewy for several days.
Get Creative
While traditional chocolate chip cake mix cookies are always a hit, don’t be afraid to get creative and try new flavors and combinations. Mix in your favorite candies, nuts, or even flavored extracts to add a unique twist to your cookies. The possibilities are endless, and experimenting with different flavors and mix-ins is part of the fun of baking.