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#### Instructions:
1. **Preheat the Oven**: Start by preheating your oven to **350°F (175°C)**. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure your cookies don’t stick.
2. **Prepare the Dough**: In a large bowl, combine the **yellow cake mix**, melted **butter**, **eggs**, and **vanilla extract**. Mix until well combined. The dough should be thick but not too dry. If it’s too sticky to handle, you can chill it for 10–15 minutes in the refrigerator.
3. **Add Mix-Ins (Optional)**: For a festive touch, stir in your **holiday sprinkles**, **mini M&M’s**, or any other desired mix-ins, such as **chocolate chips**, **crushed candy canes**, or **chopped nuts**. This step is optional, but it adds a fun burst of color and flavor.
4. **Form the Cookies**: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on your prepared baking sheet, spaced about **2 inches apart**. If you like, you can roll the dough balls in **powdered sugar** before placing them on the baking sheet for a snowy, sweet finish.
5. **Bake**: Bake the cookies for **8–10 minutes**, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake, as the cookies will continue to cook on the baking sheet once removed from the oven.
6. **Cool and Enjoy**: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2–3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures they set properly without falling apart.
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### Tips for Perfect Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
– **Chill the Dough**: If the dough is too sticky to work with, or if you’d like a slightly thicker cookie, refrigerate the dough for about 10-15 minutes before rolling it into balls.
– **Experiment with Cake Mix Flavors**: Try using different cake mixes to create unique cookies. Red velvet mix creates a rich, festive color perfect for Christmas, while a chocolate cake mix pairs beautifully with peppermint extract and crushed candy canes.
– **Shape the Cookies**: Instead of just rolling the dough into balls, you can also use cookie cutters to shape the dough into fun holiday-themed shapes like stars, trees, or gingerbread men. Just roll the dough out on a floured surface and cut into shapes before baking.
– **Add a Drizzle of Icing**: If you’re feeling extra festive, you can drizzle a little **icing** over the cooled cookies. Mix powdered sugar with a bit of milk and vanilla to create a simple icing, then drizzle over the cookies for an extra touch of sweetness.
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### Why You’ll Love Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
– **Time-Saving**: With the holiday season already packed with to-do lists and events, this recipe offers a way to make festive cookies in less than 30 minutes, including baking time.
– **Kid-Friendly**: Cake Mix Christmas Cookies are easy for kids to help with, whether it’s mixing the dough or adding colorful sprinkles. Plus, they’re a fun way to get your little ones involved in holiday traditions.
– **No-Fuss Baking**: Unlike traditional cookie recipes, which often require precise measurements and multiple steps, this one uses a cake mix that eliminates the need for extra ingredients and measuring. It’s as simple as stirring a few things together and popping them into the oven.
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### Conclusion: A Simple, Sweet, and Festive Holiday Treat
Cake Mix Christmas Cookies are a delightful and easy treat to bake during the busy holiday season. With minimal ingredients and just a few steps, you can create delicious, soft, and chewy cookies that will become a holiday favorite for your family and friends. Whether you’re making them for a party, as a gift, or for your own enjoyment, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
So this holiday season, don’t stress over complicated baking recipes. Instead, whip up a batch of **Cake Mix Christmas Cookies** and enjoy the magic of the season without all the hassle. Happy baking, and Merry Christmas!
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