Green Crinkle Cookies
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these soft, chewy green crinkle cookies made from a simple white cake mix. Easy, festive, and perfect for kids, parties, and holiday desserts!
Green Crinkle Cookies (Box Cake Mix Hack!)
If you love easy St. Patrick’s Day desserts, these green crinkle cookies are your new go-to. Made with a simple white cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and a touch of almond extract, they’re soft, chewy, and the perfect festive emerald green cookies for March. Kids, adults, and cookie monsters alike will fight over these, and honestly, I wouldn’t share if I were you.
I keep a box of cake mix on standby for emergencies, and these green crinkle cookies are my ultimate St. Patrick’s Day emergency dessert. Around March, my kids and husband beg me to whip them up .. soft, chewy, festive, and gone in a blink. If you need a quick St. Patrick’s Day dessert, this is your answer.
Want to go all-in on shamrock season? Pair these easy green cookies with my Lucky Charms marshmallow treats, Baileys chocolate cupcakes, or green swirl cheesecake bars for a fully festive St. Patrick’s Day dessert table.
What are Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies
These St. Patrick’s Day crinkle cookies are made from a box cake mix plus butter, eggs, almond extract, and green gel food coloring. Chill, roll in powdered sugar, bake for 9 minutes, and boom .. you’ve got a soft, chewy, festive holiday cookie recipe that’s almost too easy to believe.
Why This Recipe Works
• These Green Crinkle Cookies are made with just five ingredients … six if you count the green gel food coloring 🙂
• Even though the original idea is for Christmas crinkle cookies, they double perfectly as St. Patrick’s Day cookies .. multitasking magic!
• Soft, fluffy, and irresistible .. that touch of almond extract takes these simple cookies from “meh” to “must-eat.”
• Cake mixes are often Buy One, Get One, so technically if you make two boxes, no one needs to know how many cookies disappeared during your taste-testing.
• Easy to make, adorable, and insanely tasty .. the “Hostess with the Mostess” award goes to… (insert your name here).
Ingredients
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1 box white cake mix
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8 tablespoons butter, melted
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2 large eggs
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2 teaspoons almond extract
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Green gel food coloring (several drops, to desired shade)
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1/2 cup powdered sugar
Optional: sprinkles for extra festivity
Step-by-Step Instructions
• Preheat oven & prep pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Melt butter: Measure 8 tablespoons of butter and melt it in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Let it cool slightly so it doesn’t cook the eggs when combined.
• Mix base ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add 1 box of white cake mix, 2 large eggs, and 2 teaspoons almond extract. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
• Add color: Drop in several drops of green gel food coloring (use as much as needed for your desired festive shade). Mix thoroughly until the dough is evenly colored and vibrant.
• Chill dough: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll into uniform balls and preventing cookies from spreading too much while baking.
• Prep powdered sugar: Measure 1/2 cup powdered sugar and pour it into a small bowl. This will be used to coat each cookie, giving it that classic crinkle look.
• Shape cookies: Remove the dough from the fridge. Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, portion out approximately 1-inch balls of dough. Roll each ball thoroughly in the powdered sugar until fully coated.
• Arrange cookies: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for gentle spreading.
• Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 minutes. The cookies should look set but still soft in the center — overbaking will make them dry.
• Cool cookies: Allow the cookies to rest on the cookie sheet for 1 minute after removing from the oven, then transfer them carefully to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
• Optional extra sugar sparkle: Once the cookies have cooled, lightly re-dip the tops in powdered sugar for an extra festive crinkle effect.
Tips No One Tells You
• Don’t be shy with the food coloring .. once you think your crinkle cookies are green enough, add a bit more. The cookies will lighten as they bake.
• I prefer gel food coloring over liquid because it doesn’t compromise the consistency of the batter.
• Don’t skip chilling the dough in the refrigerator. It brings the dough together, and your cookies will be fluffier and hold their shape better.
• You can flavor these crinkle cookies with any extract you like .. almond, vanilla, peppermint, or your favorite twist.
• Using a small kitchen scoop is a great way to ensure your crinkle cookies are all the same size.
• For extra festive presentation, re-dip the tops of your cookies in powdered sugar right when they come out of the oven.
Variations That Actually Work
• Substitute almond extract with vanilla or peppermint for different flavor twists.
• Use red or blue gel coloring for Valentine’s Day or Fourth of July cookies.
• Fold in mini chocolate chips for a decadent touch.
• Drizzle melted chocolate on cooled cookies for a fun twist.
• Roll in colored sugar instead of powdered sugar for sparkle and shine.
FAQ Section
Can I make these ahead? Yes, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze the dough? Yes — pre-roll into balls, freeze on a sheet, then store in a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to baking time.
Do I need a box cake mix? Yes, it’s the shortcut that keeps this recipe super easy. White cake mix works best.
Can I use regular food coloring? You can, but gel is more vibrant and doesn’t change dough consistency.
Can I make mini cookies? Yes, just adjust baking time to 7–8 minutes.
Make Ahead Tips
• Dough can be made and chilled for up to 24 hours before baking.
• Pre-roll into balls and store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to bake.
Storage Instructions
• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Freeze baked cookies up to 1 month, wrapped individually or separated with parchment paper.
Heather Wrap-Up
These green crinkle cookies are the ultimate easy, festive St. Patrick’s Day dessert. Soft, chewy, and impossibly fun, they’re perfect for cookie swaps, classroom parties, or just sneaking a few before anyone sees. Make them, eat them, and maybe share .. but I won’t judge if you don’t.
xoxo Heather 🍀
Green Christmas Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box White cake mix
- 8 tablespoon butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- Green gel food coloring
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray.
- Melt the butter and in a large bowl, combine with the cake mix, almond extract and eggs.
- When you have your ingredients combined, add in several drops of green food coloring and mix it in.
- Chill dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and pour powdered sugar into a small bowl. Set aside
- Once chilled, remove dough and scoop up enough dough to roll into a 1 inch ball. Roll the ball around until covered in powdered sugar and set on your cookie sheet. Cook cookies for 9 minutes.
- Remove them from the oven, let them cool for one minute and then move them to a cooling rack.
Notes
PRO TIPS FOR PERFECT CHRISTMAS CRINKLE COOKIES
- Don't be shy with the food coloring .. once you think your crinkle cookies are green enough, add a bit more. The cookies will lighten as they cook.
- I prefer food coloring gel vs. liquid food coloring because it doesn't compromise the consistency of the batter.
- Don't skip chilling the dough in the refrigerator. I brings the dough together and your cookies will be fluffier and hold their shape better if you chill the dough first.
- You can flavor these Green Christmas Crinkle Cookies with any extract flavoring your like .. almond, vanilla, peppermint ...
- Using a small kitchen scoop is a great way to ensure you crinkles cookies are all the same size
- If you want to kick up the Christmas dessert table presentation, re-drop your cookies top down in the powdered sugar one extra time right when they come out of the oven.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in February of 2018 but was republished with an updated recipe, new photos, step by step instructions and tips in March of 2026.
I made these cookies last night for the residents at work. They went crazy over them. This recipe is very simple. I will definitely make them again.
Thanks for the recipe
These are such pretty cookies!!
Love how easy they are! My kids will love these!
These Cookies are amazing! They are so green and perfect for occasions. It will be a delightful treat for parties. Thanks so much for sharing
These are simply wonderful! So happy, festive, and clever!
These cookies look so festive and delicious! such an easy recipe to put together, I know…I have searched for crinkle cookie recipes online and there is like 7000+ recipes! this one here looks like a winner 🙂
These cookies look so soft and chewy! I have to make them for St.Patrick’s Day! My whole family would love them
These cookies are so fun! I need to make a batch for St Patrick’s Day!
These are a really cute idea! I love St. Patrick’s Day for all of the snacks!
I can’t believe it’s already time for St. Patrick’s Day recipes. These look lovely.
I remember making cookies with assorted mixes (not intended for cookies!) when I was a kid – great introduction to baking! These look so much fun.
Oh wow, I love the vibrant green color of these cookies! I’ve never made crinkle cookies before but I eat them way too often 🙂 I’m going to have to give these a try
French vanilla cake mix sounds like a perfect shortcut for homemade cookies! And I love the green hue you have with these beauties.
These crinkle cookies are so much fun! I have had the chocolate kind but what a great idea to dye them green for St. Patrick’s Day! Love it!
This looks so pretty – Love crinkle cookies and the green would be perfect for St.Patricks day. Saving for later. yum.
My family would love these! I will add to my Saint Patrick’s Day collection!
I love making cake mix cookies. I made red velvet cookies for Valentine’s. I’m going to have to mix up a batch of these green cookies for St Patty’s day. You’re right about the need to refrigerate the dough a bit. before rolling it into bowls. That chilling time makes it so much easier to handle.
I love crinkle cookies, but have never dyed them green for St. Patricks Day. How fun are these! My friend’s daughter is having a little St. Patrick’s Day party with her friends, and these would be a perfect treat for the kids!
I made red velvet cake mix cookies for Valentine’s day. These are perfect for St. Patty’s Day. You’re absolutely right about needing to put them in the fridge for a while. They’re too runny without that chilling time. I think I’m going to make some of these. I already have the gel food coloring I will need.
Thank you Patti! I love how easy they are to make and they come out perfectly soft-baked 🙂
It’s also so much simpler to make cookies when you start with the cake mix. This is so helpful when you have children helping. We’ve had cookies with too much salt because Mommy got distracted.
These cookies are so festive and fun and sound delicious! Thanks for sharing at What’d You Do This Weekend?!
Thank you Joy!! I love sharing at What’d You Do This Weekend?!
Excellent site. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks for your effort!
Oh my goodness! an amazing post dude. Thank you However I’m experiencing issue with ur rss . Do not know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone obtaining identical rss issue? Any person who knows kindly respond.
Thanks! They are so easy to make and so good! I just checked my subscribe box and it seems to be working ok.. maybe check your Spam folder, sometimes the request will fall into there or try subscribing again. If it still doesn’t work, send me email at thepackmomma@yahoo.com and I will manually add you to the list 🙂
These were great cookies. Just finished making these with 2 of my granddaughters (5 & 3 yrs. old). They loved making them and I have the powdered sugar covered floor to prove it. I can think of several variations I can make with this recipe, different flavored cake mixes, different colors, and sprinkles in the powdered sugar. Fun.
I’m so glad!! Kids love watching the color change to something fun like green. Great way to spend the day and make some new memories. And yes, variations are endless.. I did a double chocolate peppermint one a few Christmas’ back that was out of this world!! Let me know what other combinations you come up with 🙂
I just made these and they are delicious. They don’t look as good as the photo but, sooo yummy!!
Yay! Believe me, all that matters is how good they taste 🙂 Glad you like them!!
I haven’t bought a cake mix in decades but it’s sure tempting for these fun green cookies. My favorite-4-year-old would love these for her preschool class on St. Patrick’s Day. Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
These are perfect for kids!! I made a batch just using the cake mix as the cookie flavor and a batch with the almond extract. Both came out really good and I’m a sucker for thick, soft batch cookie so that’s why these cookies are my new favorite. Your 4-year old will love the color too 🙂