Name: Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 15.25 ounces white cake mix (432 g); 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 2 teaspoons peppermint extract; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; Green gel food coloring, enough to achieve desired color; ¼ cup powdered sugar (32 g); 3 tablespoons cornstarch; Red heart-shaped sprinkle or cinnamon hearts

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 8 reviews

Let me tell you about one of my absolute favorite treats to whip up during the holidays (or anytime I want to sprinkle a little festive magic): Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe. These cookies are not only super simple to make but also pack a burst of cool peppermint flavor wrapped in a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s perfect for sharing—or sneaking a few when no one’s looking! Stick around, because I’m about to share all my tips and tricks to help you nail these charming green delights every time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simplicity Meets Flavor: Using a white cake mix as the base keeps things quick while delivering a tender crumb and light sweetness perfect for peppermint.
Peppermint Power: The peppermint extract adds just the right amount of cool, fresh flavor without overpowering the cookie.
Perfect Texture: Rolling the dough in powdered sugar and cornstarch creates that iconic crinkle effect while keeping them soft and chewy.
Festive Finish: The heart-shaped sprinkles not only add a charming touch but also make these cookies perfect for holidays or gifts.

Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies, peppermint cake mix cookies, holiday peppermint cookies, easy peppermint cookie recipe, festive green cookies - The image shows rows of light green cookies on a silver cooling rack, each cookie round and cracked on top with a dusting of white powdered sugar. Each cookie has a small red heart-shaped decoration placed near the center. The cooling rack and cookies sit on a white marbled surface that is smooth and clean. The cookies appear soft and slightly puffy with a delicate texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic here is all about the balance of simple pantry staples enhanced by peppermint and a splash of vanilla to deepen the flavor. I always recommend using good quality peppermint extract—it makes all the difference—and choosing a vibrant green gel food coloring to get that eye-catching hue.

White cake mix: The base of the cookies providing structure and sweetness; cake mix eliminates extra measuring and rushing to the store for flour.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps develop a tender texture; softened butter blends smoothly with the cake mix.
Eggs: Act as binders and help with moisture; I like to use room temperature eggs for even mixing.
Peppermint extract: The star flavor—start with 2 teaspoons and adjust if you love minty cookies!
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor and keeps the cookies from tasting one-dimensional.
Green gel food coloring: I prefer gel over liquid because it doesn’t thin the dough but delivers vibrant color.
Powdered sugar: Combined with cornstarch to coat the dough balls; prevents stickiness and creates the signature crackled exterior.
Cornstarch: Helps powdery coating adhere and keeps cookies soft.
Red heart-shaped sprinkles (or cinnamon hearts): A festive, tasty finishing touch that adds personality and a little pop of color.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What I love most about this Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Whether you want to make them more or less minty, swap the heart sprinkles for crushed candy canes, or even dye them a different color for a special occasion, the recipe adapts well to your creative whims!

Double Mint: I sometimes add a bit of crushed peppermint candies to the dough for an extra minty pop and crunch—if you’re a peppermint lover, try it!
Allergy-Friendly: Use a dairy-free butter substitute and egg replacer to make these vegan and dairy-free; just keep an eye on dough consistency.
Holiday Colors: Change up the green gel to red for Valentine’s, or even pastel shades for spring celebrations.
Texture Variation: For a slight crunch, toss in some white chocolate chips or chopped nuts before baking.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Like a Pro

Start by heating your oven to 375°F—this temp helps these cookies bake up tender but with nicely set edges. Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep them from sticking and make cleanup a breeze. Trust me, parchment paper is one of those little kitchen helpers you don’t want to skip.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, combine the white cake mix, softened butter, and eggs. Mix until everything is well blended—no lumps! Then, add the peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and as much green gel coloring as you like. I usually start with a teaspoon and add until I get that bright Grinch-green color. Mix on low speed just until combined. The dough will be thick and sticky—that’s exactly what you want.

Step 3: Powder Coating Magic

In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. This keeps the cookie dough from sticking to your hands and creates that beautiful crackled surface. Scoop dough with about 1 1/2 tablespoons each, then roll each ball in the sugar-cornstarch mix until fully coated. It’ll be a bit messy, but rolling them ensures easier handling and that iconic cracked look after baking.

Step 4: Bake with Care

Place your coated dough balls about an inch apart on your baking sheet, then pop them in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Watch for the edges to set and the tops to look dry—that’s your clue they’re done! Overbaking can dry them out, so keep a close eye near the 10-minute mark.

Step 5: The Heartfelt Finish

Right when you take them out of the oven, gently press a red heart-shaped sprinkle (or a cinnamon heart if you want to add extra warmth) into the center of each cookie. The residual heat makes the sprinkles stick perfectly without smushing your cookies. Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Don’t Skip Softening Butter: It helps the dough come together smoothly. I learned this the hard way when lumps showed up in my cookies!
Use Gel Food Coloring: Liquid colors can thin your dough; gel ensures vibrant color without losing texture.
Coat Generously in Powdered Sugar: It prevents sticking and creates those beautiful cracks on top.
Timing Is Everything: Watch your bake time closely—overdone cookies lose their soft, tender center.

How to Serve Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a fan of keeping it simple with those adorable red heart sprinkles because they bring such a cute “Grinchy” contrast to the green cookie. But sometimes, I swap those out with crushed peppermint candies or even a tiny drizzle of white chocolate icing to fancy things up at a holiday party.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of cocoa or peppermint tea—you can’t go wrong with a festive drink on the side. I’ve also served them alongside a platter of mixed holiday cookies for cookie exchanges, and they always steal the show!

Creative Ways to Present

For a gift or party, I like to stack these cookies wrapped in green and red cellophane tied with twine or a cute ribbon. Another idea is to arrange them on a pretty plate with a dusting of crushed candy canes around the edges—it makes a festive and inviting presentation that guests love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These cookies stay soft and tasty when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I usually keep mine in a cookie tin, layered between parchment paper sheets to keep them from sticking.

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, freeze the cooled cookies in an airtight freezer-safe bag. They last up to 2 months frozen. When you want a treat, just thaw them at room temperature or overnight in the fridge. I’ve found this method keeps their soft texture perfectly intact.

Reheating

To enjoy leftovers warm, I pop a couple in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds—just enough to soften without melting the sprinkles. If you’re reheating several, a quick 5-minute stint in a 300°F oven works great too!

FAQs

Can I make Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe without peppermint extract?

Absolutely! If you don’t have peppermint extract, you can substitute with mint extract or even a tiny bit of vanilla, though the flavor won’t be quite the same. For a non-minty alternative, try adding some almond extract for a different but tasty twist.
Why do I need to roll the cookie dough in powdered sugar and cornstarch?

This step prevents the sticky dough from clinging to your hands while creating the attractive cracked, powdery look on the baked cookies. It also adds a slight sweetness to the exterior while keeping the inside soft.
Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?

You can, but I recommend gel food coloring because it’s more concentrated and won’t alter the dough’s consistency or make it too wet. Gel will give you that bright, vibrant green that makes these cookies so festive.
How do I keep cookies soft?

Don’t overbake! Remove the cookies as soon as edges are set and tops look dry. Also, store them properly in an airtight container to lock in moisture. Adding a slice of bread in the container helps keep them soft longer.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, the Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen when I want something festive that feels special but won’t keep me tied up for hours. These cookies bring out smiles every time—soft, minty, and bursting with holiday cheer. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and add your own twists, because baking is truly better when it’s made your way. Happy baking!