If you’re looking for an easy, festive dessert that’ll light up any classroom party, bake sale, or March celebration, these Green Crinkle Cookies are the answer. Made with just a few ingredients — including a box of cake mix — they deliver soft, sweet centers with crisp, crackly edges and a vibrant color that screams St. Patrick’s Day.
This is the kind of recipe anyone can master — even if you’ve never baked cookies from scratch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made from cake mix — fast, easy, and foolproof
- Vibrant color thanks to gel food coloring
- Striking crinkle texture from a double sugar coat
- Quick prep and bake time — under 30 minutes start to finish
- Perfect for parties, favors, or fun weekend baking with kids
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 box white cake mix (15.25 oz or approx. 3 cups)
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ teaspoon Kelly green gel food coloring (or to desired shade)
For the Sugar Coating:
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons powdered sugar
Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions
🥣 Step 1: Mix the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, empty the entire contents of the cake mix.
- Crack in 2 eggs and pour in ⅓ cup of vegetable oil.
- Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix everything until fully combined — the dough will be thick and sticky.
- Add ¼ teaspoon of green gel food coloring and continue mixing until the dough is evenly colored. Adjust the shade by adding a bit more coloring if desired.
❄️ Step 2: Chill the Dough
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- This chilling time makes the dough easier to roll and helps prevent excessive spreading in the oven.
🔥 Step 3: Prep the Oven and Coatings
- While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Set up two small bowls: one with 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, and one with 6 tablespoons powdered sugar. These are your rolling stations.
🍬 Step 4: Shape and Coat the Dough Balls
- Once chilled, use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop or a spoon to portion out even amounts of dough.
- Roll each scoop between your hands into a ball — about the size of a walnut.
- Roll each ball first in granulated sugar, coating it completely. This helps the powdered sugar stick and prevents it from melting into the dough.
- Immediately roll the sugar-coated ball in powdered sugar, pressing gently to coat thickly and completely.
🍪 Step 5: Bake the Cookies
- Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spaced 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 12 minutes. The tops should be puffed and crackled, with edges just set. The centers will still be soft — this is perfect.
- Remove the tray from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes.
❄️ Step 6: Cool Completely
- Transfer the cookies carefully to a wire rack or paper towel-lined surface to cool fully before storing or serving.
- Once cooled, the cookies will have a crisp exterior and soft, cake-like interior.
Pro Tips for Success
- Use gel food coloring, not liquid, to maintain the right dough consistency while achieving a bold green color.
- Don’t skip chilling — warm dough will spread too much and lose its shape.
- For clean sugar coating, use one hand for granulated and the other for powdered so you don’t clump the sugars.
- Let cookies cool fully before stacking or storing — they firm up as they rest.
Final Thoughts
These Green Crinkle Cookies aren’t just a hit for St. Patrick’s Day — they’re a go-to festive dessert that’s equal parts stunning and simple. With minimal ingredients, zero decorating required, and maximum visual appeal, they make any celebration feel special.