These 4-Ingredient Hanukkah Cookies (from a cake mix) deliver big holiday flavor with minimal effort. You'll need only a box of cake mix, two eggs, half a cup of oil and one chocolate gelt for each cookie. Mix, scoop, bake 10 minutes, then press in the gelt while warm. Perfect for little hands, as a fast afterschool Hanukkah treat and full of festive fun!
TL;DR - Cake Mix Hanukkah Cookies
- 💙 Why you'll love them: These festive cookies come together in minutes with just one bowl, one spoon, and are topped with classic chocolate gelt for the perfect Hanukkah touch.
- 🥣 Ingredients: Cake mix, eggs, oil & chocolate gelt
- ⏲️ Prep Time: 5minutes prep
- 🔥 Bake Time: 10 minutes bake
- 🍪 Perfect for pareve baking: Use a dairy free cake mix and dairy free chocolate gelt.
- 🕎 For your Family Hanukkah party, serve these with: Noodle Kugel, Crispy Potato Latkes, Tuna Salad and Easy Homemade Applesauce for a full Hanukkah spread.
Summarize and save this recipe!
Key Ingredients
- Cake Mix: I'm a Duncan Hines loyalist and for these cookies use a yellow or white cake mix, however you could easily substitute a chocolate cake mix cookie or a brownie mix cookie for a double-chocolate twist.
- Chocolate Gelt: Also known as chocolate coins, they are available in many grocery stores seasonally (typically November-December) and are also found on Amazon or in Judaica stores.
Decorating Hanukkah Cookies
- Add a swirl of white frosting and sprinkle with blue and silver sprinkles.
- Color the dough: Drop in a few drops of blue food coloring before baking and garnish with gold or white sprinkles for a modern look.
- Drizzle with melted white chocolate and dust with edible glitter.
- Switch up the holiday: Using the same method try making cake mix Grinch cookies for Christmas or my red velvet cookies for Valentine's Day.
Bake with your kids!
Hanukkah Cake Mix Cookies is the perfect recipe for little bakers. Let them stir the dough and press the gelt once the cookies cool slightly. It's the easiest (and most fun and delicious) Hanukkah activity!
🩶Marni
Marni's Tips for Perfect Hanukkah Cookies
- Use a plain white or vanilla cake mix or swap it out for a sugar cookie mix. Just make sure it doesn't have pudding added in.
- Press gelt while warm: They will stick to the cookie without melting too much.
- Don't overbake: Cookies should look slightly under done; they'll set as they cool.
- Add color smartly: Gel food color mixes in evenly and won't thin out the.
- Store right: Once cooled, layer between wax paper to keep the gelt or other decorations from sticking to one another.
How to make Hanukkah cookies from a cake mix
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 1: In a large bowl, mix cake mix, eggs, and oil until just combined. Add blue food coloring if using.
Step 2: Scoop dough onto the prepared sheet (about 2 tablespoons each).
Step 3: Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the tops just crack. While still warm, gently press a piece of chocolate gelt into each cookie.
Step 4: Let cool on a cooling rack.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes! White or vanilla cake mix gives the classic look and flavor, but chocolate cake mix cookies or even funfetti cake mix cookies are great options. Skip "pudding-in-the-mix" varieties, they make the dough too soft and the cookies spread.
Press the gelt into the cookies right after they come out of the oven, then let them cool completely on the tray. The residual heat will make the chocolate stick without turning it into a puddle.
Yes, just use your favorite gluten-free vanilla cake mix and add 1 extra tablespoon of oil to keep the texture soft and chewy.
Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, layering with wax paper to protect decorations. For longer storage, freeze for up to a month.
You can use m&m's, blue and white sprinkles or mini-chocolate chips. Anything that says Happy Hanukkah to you will work!
More Easy Hanukkah Desserts
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📖 Recipe
4-Ingredient Cake Mix Hanukkah Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box Cake Mix (yellow or white)
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup oil
- 24 pieces Hanukkah Gelt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cake mix, the eggs and the oil.
- Stir just until you can't see any more dry cake mix. You don't want to overmix.
- Using a cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough onto your prepared baking tray, leaving about 2" between dough balls.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until you see cracks on the top of the cookies, being careful not to overbake them. When they come out of the oven, add one piece of gelt to the top of each cookie and press down a bit. Let cool completely and enjoy!
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