Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookies

April 30, 2024
Create the fabulous flavor of classic Molasses Crinkles with cake mix! That's right, you can make a cake mix version of this iconic cookie favorite using a box of spice cake mix as the base. Combine the mix with molasses and a handful of other ingredients to whip up a quick and easy batch of Cake Mix Molasses Crinkles Cookies -- and enjoy that classic crackle-topped deliciousness with cake mix ease.

Stack of Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookies on Cooling Rack Image
Molasses Crinkle Cookies are one of our family's favorite cookies. And we love that in addition to the classic recipe, we can also whip up this quick and easy cake mix version, too. Using spice cake mix as the base, Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookies bake up soft, tender, and loaded with fabulous molasses-spice flavor, just like their classic counterparts. 

Since spice cake mix takes care of the traditional ground cinnamon, ginger, and cloves component of the classic recipe, that's just one less thing to worry about when whipping up a tasty batch.

With spice cake mix & molasses as their base, Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookies are loaded with fabulous molasses-spice flavor.

We found, though, that you do have to add a small bit of all-purpose flour (1/4 cup, to be exact) to the cake mix to give enough structure to the molasses-loaded dough. We tried to get by without the added flour -- but the dough was just too soft to work. And if you go with less molasses? -- Then the molasses flavor in the finished cookies just isn't there. 

To make the namesake crinkles in these Cake Mix Molasses Crinkles' tops, just as with the traditional recipe, you gently squish the cookies with your fingertips or the palm of your hand part-way through their baking time. We found the optimal time to create the crinkles is after 7 & 1/2 minutes of baking. Once squished, continue baking the cookies for another 2 & 1/2 minutes to finish them off.

Inside Texture of Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookies Image

What's to Love About This Recipe?

  • Fabulous spiced molasses flavor - With spice cake mix and molasses as their base, Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookies are loaded with fabulous molasses-spice flavor, just like their classic counterparts. 
  • Beautifully crinkled tops - Gently pressing on the cookies part-way through their baking time creates those lovely namesake crinkles in the cookie's tops.
  • Soft & tender texture - Beautifully crinkled on top, and soft and tender inside. -- Just the way we love our Molasses Crinkles!
  • Super easy to makeGive a quick stir of the ingredients, briefly chill then scoop the dough, and bake -- That's all it takes to whip up a batch of these super easy cookies.
  • No need to worry about the spices - The traditional recipe's ground cinnamon, ginger, and cloves are already taken care of by the spices in the spice cake mix. So don't have one of the cookies' spices on hand? -- No problem at all!

Top View of Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookies on Cooling Rack Image

Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookies Ingredients:

Whip up a tasty batch of Cake Mix Molasses Crinkles Cookies with spice cake mix and a handful of other ingredients. To whip up a batch, you'll need:

  • Spice cake mix - A standard 15.25-ounce box of spice cake mix creates the foundation of the cookies, while also providing just the right amount of cinnamon and ginger spice.

  • All-purpose flour - A bit of all-purpose flour is needed to give enough structure to the cookies' molasses-loaded dough. Stir 1/4 cup of flour in with the cake mix.

  • Molasses - It's not Molasses Crinkles without the molasses! Brings the characteristic (and namesake) flavor to the cookies. For ease of clean up, spray your measuring spoon with non-stick spray before using it to measure the molasses.

  • Vanilla extract - As with most cookies, enhances the flavors of the finished baked cookies. Use pure vanilla extract, instead of imitation, for the best flavor result.

  • Canola oil - Adds the fat needed for the cookies. Use vegetable oil instead, if you'd like.

  • Eggs - Two eggs provide the moisture and leavening needed for the cookie's dough.

  • Granulated + light brown sugar - For rolling the cookie dough balls before baking to add a nice textural element to the finished baked cookies. A combination of granulated + light brown sugar brings nice flavor, however plain granulated sugar could be used instead.

Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookies Ingredients Image

How to Make Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookies:

Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookies couldn't be much easier to make. It's truly quick and easy to whip up a tasty batch!

Get started by beating together dry spice cake mix, a little flour, some canola oil, molasses, vanilla extract, and two eggs until they form a smooth dough. Then cover and refrigerate the dough for 20 minutes. 

Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookie Dough Image

Once chilled, roll the dough into 1-inch balls. I use a cookie scoop to make measuring out and scooping the dough extra easy.

Scooping Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookie Dough Image

Roll each cookie dough ball in a mixture of granulated and light brown sugar, coating each all around. Then place them on a very lightly greased baking sheet.

Rolling Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookie Dough Ball in Sugar Image

Bake the cookies for 7 & 1/2 minutes. Then gently shake the baking sheet and lightly press down on the tops of the baking cookies to produce a crinkled, cracked surface.

Continue baking for 2 & 1/2 minutes more.

Once done, let the cookies stand on the baking sheet for about 30 seconds. Scrape each cookie loose from the pan all around with a small spatula, then lift from the pan to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Close-Up of Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookie on Baking Sheet Image

Then you're ready to enjoy that wonderful molasses-spice flavor! Made with spice cake mix as the base, Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookies give you that classic crackle-topped deliciousness -- with cake mix ease.

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Cookies
American
Yield: 26-28 cookies
Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookies

Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookies

Create the fabulous flavor of classic Molasses Crinkles with cake mix! That's right, you can make a cake mix version of this iconic cookie favorite using a box of spice cake mix as the base. Combine the mix with molasses and a handful of other ingredients to whip up a quick and easy batch of Cake Mix Molasses Crinkles Cookies -- and enjoy the classic crackle-topped deliciousness.
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 10 MinInactive time: 20 MinTotal time: 45 Min

Ingredients

For dough:
  • 1 (15.25 oz.) box spice cake mix
  • 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 c. canola or vegetable oil
  • 2 T. molasses
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
For rolling:
  • 2 T. granulated sugar
  • 2 T. light brown sugar

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat together dry cake mix, flour, oil, molasses, vanilla extract, and eggs until smooth.
  2. Cover and refrigerate dough for 20 minutes.
  3. While dough chills, combine granulated sugar and brown sugar in a small bowl. Stir until well combined.
  4. Remove dough from refrigerator and roll into 1-inch balls. Roll each dough ball in sugar mixture, coating all around. Place on a very lightly greased baking sheet.
  5. Bake at 350℉ for 7 & 1/2 minutes. Gently shake the baking sheet and lightly press down on the tops of the baking cookies to produce a crinkled, cracked surface.
  6. Continue baking for 2 & 1/2 minutes more.
  7. Let stand on baking sheet for about 30 seconds. Scrape each cookie loose from the pan all around with a small spatula, then lift from the pan to a cooling rack to cool completely.
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Cake Mix Molasses Crinkle Cookies ~ Enjoy that classic crackle-topped molasses deliciousness with cake mix ease! Whip up these quick & easy cookies using spice cake mix as their base. So good!  www.thekitchenismyplayground.com

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