Easy Patriotic Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies: Your Go-To Holiday Treat
Looking for a delightfully simple yet stunning dessert that captures the vibrant spirit of American patriotism? Look no further than these incredible Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies! Thanks to the sheer convenience of a boxed cake mix, these rich, red cookies come together with minimal effort, making them an ideal choice for any holiday celebration. Adorned with a creamy white chocolate glaze and sparkling blue sprinkles, they proudly display the iconic red, white, and blue, ensuring they’re an instant hit at your next gathering, whether it’s the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or a casual backyard barbecue.
Our Family’s Cherished Patriotic Baking Tradition
Every patriotic American holiday marks a special occasion in our home, especially when it comes to food! My daughter and I have cultivated a cherished tradition: we always make some kind of red, white, and blue culinary creation. This delightful ritual adds an extra layer of festivity and fun to our celebrations. We’ve experimented with everything from elegant red velvet cupcakes to whimsical sugar cookies adorned with colorful frosting and sprinkles. Last Fourth of July, for instance, we spent a joyful afternoon dipping fresh, juicy strawberries into luscious white chocolate, then showering them with vibrant blue sprinkles – a simple yet incredibly effective patriotic treat that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
No matter the specific dish, the core goal remains the same: to craft something distinctively colorful and festive to mark the celebration. As Americans, we truly embrace our patriotism, often going “over-the-top” with our enthusiasm, especially during holidays like Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. And as an Army veteran myself, I’m certainly no exception to this proud tradition! There’s a profound sense of camaraderie and appreciation that comes with these holidays, and expressing it through food is a heartwarming way to connect with family and friends. These cookies aren’t just a dessert; they’re a small, sweet testament to the freedom and values we hold dear, baked with love and a dash of genuine ‘Murica spirit!
The Genius of Cake Mix Cookies: Effortless Holiday Baking
The inspiration for these specific patriotic cookies struck during one of my typical kitchen adventures. Puttering around, I found myself rummaging through the pantry, seeking inspiration for a quick and fun baking project. I had a vague recollection of seeing recipes online that utilized cake mix to create cookies, a brilliant shortcut I’d been meaning to try for ages. The lightbulb moment truly ignited when my hand landed on a box of red velvet cake mix. “Score!” I thought. Red velvet, with its rich hue, is inherently a perfect shade of red, making it an ideal base for our desired patriotic theme.
Beyond the cake mix itself, the undeniable beauty of this recipe lies in its remarkable simplicity and its reliance on common pantry staples. The rest of the necessary ingredients – just two eggs and a touch of vegetable oil – were readily available, meaning no last-minute, frantic trips to the grocery store were required. This convenience is what makes cake mix cookies a true lifesaver for busy individuals and families. In what felt like no time at all, my daughter and I were enjoying the delightful aroma of freshly baked cookies filling the kitchen. A little while later, after proper cooling and careful glazing, we had a beautiful batch of yummy red, white, and blue cookies, ready to be shared and devoured. This entire experience solidified my belief that cake mix cookies are an absolute game-changer for busy bakers and anyone looking to create impressive treats with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
Before you dive into this fantastic recipe, be sure to also check out my most popular cookie recipe, Potato Chip Cookies – a unique and surprisingly delicious sweet and salty treat that’s equally easy to make!
Easy ‘Murica Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1 box (approx. 15.25 oz or 432g) red velvet cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup white chocolate morsels (for glaze)
- 1/2 teaspoon vegetable shortening (for glaze)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2 Tablespoons milk (for glaze)
- blue sugar sprinkles
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. This step is crucial for easy cleanup and to prevent the cookies from sticking.
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To prepare the cookies: In a large mixing bowl, combine the entire box of red velvet cake mix with the two large eggs and ⅓ cup of vegetable oil. Stir these ingredients together vigorously with a sturdy wooden spoon or a spatula until a cohesive dough forms. The dough should be thick, slightly sticky, and uniformly red. Divide the dough into 24 (approximately 1½-inch diameter) balls. Place these dough balls onto your prepared cookie sheets, ensuring you leave sufficient space between each for them to spread slightly during baking. Gently flatten each cookie ball with the palm of your hand; this encourages more even baking and a classic cookie shape.
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Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 7-8 minutes. It’s important to keep a close eye on them; the cookies are done when the edges just begin to look slightly firm and set, but the centers still appear soft and slightly puffy. Overbaking will result in dry cookies. Immediately transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Allowing them to cool fully is a crucial step before applying the glaze.
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To create the luscious white chocolate glaze: In a medium-sized mixing bowl (a glass bowl is ideal for microwave use), combine the ¼ cup white chocolate morsels and ½ teaspoon vegetable shortening. Microwave on high for 45 seconds. Remove from the microwave and whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. The residual heat will continue to melt any stubborn morsels. Gradually whisk in the 1 cup of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk until the glaze is smooth, glossy, and completely free of lumps. You can adjust the amount of milk slightly if you prefer a thinner or thicker consistency for your glaze.
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Once the cookies are thoroughly cooled to room temperature, take one cookie at a time and dip the top surface into the prepared white chocolate glaze. Allow any excess glaze to drip back into the bowl for a clean and even finish. Carefully place the glazed cookie back onto the wire rack. Immediately after glazing each cookie, generously sprinkle the tops with the blue sugar sprinkles while the glaze is still wet. This ensures the sprinkles adhere perfectly and don’t fall off. Allow the glazed cookies to sit undisturbed for at least 30-60 minutes, or until the glaze has fully hardened and set. This recipe yields approximately 24 festive cookies.
Notes
Baking Perfect Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies: Essential Tips and Tricks
Achieving bakery-quality cookies from a simple cake mix is entirely possible with a few insider tips that ensure both deliciousness and visual appeal. First and foremost, resist the urge to overmix the dough. Once the ingredients are just combined and a soft, cohesive dough forms, stop mixing. Overworking the dough can lead to a tougher, less tender cookie texture. When forming the dough balls, aim for uniform size and shape. A small cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons) can be incredibly helpful for this, ensuring consistent baking and presentation. Gently flattening them before baking helps create a classic, slightly chewy cookie shape and ensures they cook through evenly without burning the edges while the center remains raw. Keep a close eye on your oven; every oven performs differently. The sweet spot for these cookies is when the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly soft and puffed. They will continue to set and firm up as they cool on the hot baking sheet for a minute or two before being transferred to a wire rack.
For the white chocolate glaze, precision is key to achieving that smooth, professional finish. When melting the white chocolate morsels with shortening, it’s best to microwave in short bursts (e.g., 30 seconds, stir, then 15 seconds, stir) to prevent burning or seizing. White chocolate is delicate and can become clumpy if overheated. The added vegetable shortening helps create a wonderfully smoother, more dippable glaze that hardens beautifully to a shiny finish. Ensure your cookies are completely cool before dipping; if they are even slightly warm, the glaze will melt and slide right off. Work quickly when dipping and applying sprinkles, as the glaze will begin to set quite fast. For an extra vibrant blue effect, you can double-dip the sprinkles or use a mix of different sizes of blue edible glitter for added sparkle. These small details elevate a simple cake mix cookie into a truly show-stopping patriotic treat that looks as good as it tastes.
Serving Suggestions and Smart Storage Tips
These Easy Patriotic Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies are designed to be a vibrant and delicious centerpiece for all your national holiday spreads. Arrange them artfully on a large platter or tiered stand, perhaps alongside other complementary red, white, and blue treats such as fresh fruit skewers featuring strawberries, blueberries, and bananas; delicate berry tarts; or even small bowls of colorful patriotic candies. They are absolutely perfect for dessert tables at Fourth of July barbecues, Memorial Day picnics, Labor Day gatherings, or any event where you want to show a little American pride. Serve them alongside a cold glass of milk, a refreshing lemonade, or even a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a delightful dessert experience. Their eye-catching colors and charming presentation also make them an excellent edible gift, neatly packaged in clear cellophane bags tied with a festive red, white, or blue ribbon.
When it comes to storage, these cookies are truly best enjoyed fresh. As mentioned in the recipe notes, the vibrant red food coloring from the cookies can naturally migrate into the white glaze over time, creating a slightly pinkish hue on the glaze. While they will still taste absolutely delicious, their optimal visual appeal as a pristine red, white, and blue cookie is best within the first 24 hours after glazing. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat, to maintain their freshness and tender texture. If you need to stack them, place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve the delicate glaze and sprinkles. For longer-term planning, you can freeze the unglazed cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. Simply thaw them slightly before baking fresh whenever a craving strikes or a holiday approaches, providing you with warm, homemade cookies in minutes.
Get Creative: Versatile Variations for Every Occasion
While these Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies are absolutely perfect for patriotic holidays, the true beauty of cake mix cookies lies in their incredible versatility. Don’t feel limited to just red velvet! You can easily adapt this base recipe to suit any occasion, theme, or flavor preference imaginable. Imagine the possibilities: use a chocolate cake mix with green glaze and festive red sprinkles for a delightful Christmas cookie, or a lemon cake mix with pastel glaze and charming spring-themed sprinkles for an Easter basket treat. A simple vanilla or yellow cake mix can be effortlessly transformed into celebratory birthday cookies with rainbow sprinkles and colorful frosting, or even Halloween-themed cookies with orange glaze and black sprinkles. The potential for customization is truly vast.
Beyond simply changing the cake mix flavor, feel free to experiment with various delicious mix-ins. Stir in mini chocolate chips, chunky white chocolate pieces, chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts), or even colorful M&M’s into the cookie dough before baking for added texture and an extra burst of flavor. For the glaze, you can venture beyond white chocolate; consider using other types of melting chocolates like milk or dark chocolate, or even making a simple cream cheese frosting for a more traditional red velvet experience. You could also tint the white glaze with food coloring to match other holiday themes. The possibilities for creative expression are truly endless, allowing you to customize these easy cookies to perfectly match your specific theme, taste preferences, or any holiday spirit. This remarkable adaptability makes them a valuable and go-to addition to any home baker’s repertoire, guaranteeing a crowd-pleasing dessert every single time.
Whether you’re celebrating a national holiday with pride, hosting a themed party, or simply looking for an easy, delicious, and visually impressive treat to share with loved ones, these Patriotic Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies are absolutely sure to be a showstopper. Their vibrant colors, delightful flavor, and straightforward preparation make them a perfect choice for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros. So, gather your simple ingredients, enlist some eager helpers (especially if you have little ones!), and bake up a batch of these charming, ‘Murica-inspired cookies today. Enjoy the smiles and compliments that are sure to follow!