Valentines Cake Mix Cookies (2024)

ByJaclyn Shimmel On Updated

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These easy Valentine’s Day Cake Mix Cookies take soft vanilla cookies, dip them in almond bark, and top them with conversation heart candies.

The soft, fluffy cake-like cookies are packed with vanilla flavor and couldn’t be easier to make with only a few basic ingredients: vanilla cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.

Valentines Cake Mix Cookies (1)

It is no secret that I love cake mix cookies. They are perfectly soft, quick and easy to make, and can be made with in a variety of yummy flavors from lemon to red velvet to snickerdoodle and everything in between.

For these Valentine’s Day themed cookies, I chose to use a simple vanilla cake mix and then dress up the cookies by dipping them in vanilla flavored candy coating and decorating them with conversation heart candies, the quintessential candy of Valentine’s Day.

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The end result is a beautiful cookie perfect for Valentine’s Day parties and celebrations.

Ingredients

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Valentines Cake Mix Cookies (3)
  • Vanilla cake mix – You will only use the dry mix, not the ingredients called for on the back. We used Betty Crocker Super Moist Vanilla Cake Mix.
  • Vegetable oil – Canola oil also works.
  • Eggs – You will need 2 large eggs. Allow your eggs to sit on the countertop for about 30 minutes to come to room temperature before beginning.
  • Vanilla – I always recommend using 100% pure vanilla extract.
  • Almond bark – A vanilla-flavored candy coating made for melting. Also referred to as vanilla candy coating or vanilla bark. Can be found in the baking alisle of most grocery stores or on Amazon.
  • Conversation heart candies – These cute candies be found in grocery stores or pharmacies seasonally around Valentine’s Day or are available on Amazon.

How to Make Valentine’s Day Cake Mix Cookies

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Combine cake mix, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl. Place dough in the refrigerator to chill for at least 20 minutes.

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Step 2: Roll into balls (about ½ inches each) and place on lined cookie sheets at least 2 inches apart. Gently press down on each ball to flatten it slightly. (as seen in the photo below).

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Step 3: Bake as directed in the recipe card below and allow the cookies to cool fully.

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Step 4: Melt almond bark in the microwave or using a double boiler.

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Step 5: Dip cookies half way and top with conversation heart candies.

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Allow to almond bark to set before storing or serving.

Storage

Store your Valentine’s Day cake mix cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Valentines Cake Mix Cookies FAQ

Do I have to chill the dough?

While you don’t technically have to chill cake mix cookie dough, I recommend it as it makes the dough less sticky and easier to work with. It also works to prevent the dough from overspreading in the oven.

Help! My cookie dough is too sticky!

If you are still having issues with the stickiness of your cake mix cookie dough, try to put it back in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or so. If your dough is still too sticky try mixing a tablespoon of flour into the dough.

Valentines Cake Mix Cookies (9)

More Valentine’s Day Cookie Recipes

For more easy valentine dessert recipes check out these sweet cookie recipes:

  • Valentine Meringues – only 5 ingredients!
  • Shortbread Heart Cookies
  • Strawberry Cake Cookies with White Chocolate Chips – just 4 ingredients!
  • Heart-shaped Stained Glass Cookies

Recipe

5 from 9 votes

Valentine Cake Mix Cookies

Author: Jaclyn

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 8 minutes mins

Additional Time 20 minutes mins

Total: 43 minutes mins

These easy Valentine's Day Cake Mix Cookies take soft vanilla cookies, dip them in almond bark, and top them with conversation heart candies.

Ingredients

  • 15.25 ounce vanilla cake mix (1 box)
  • cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 16 ounces almond bark
  • conversation heart candies

Instructions

  • Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

  • In a large bowl, mix to combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla.Set the bowl in the refrigerator to chill for 20 minutes.

  • After the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 350°F.

  • Remove the bowl from the refrigerator. Shape the dough into balls (about 1 ½ inches), place on the baking sheets 2 inches apart, and gently press down on each to flatten it slightly.

  • Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cookies are slightly golden on the bottom. (Do not overbake!)

  • Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool fully.

  • Melt the almond bark in a bowl over a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second intervals until smooth and melted (or according to package directions).

  • Dip a cooled cookie halfway into the melted bark and immediately add the conversation heart candies.

  • Allow the almond bark to cool and harden for a few minutes so that the conversation hearts have time to “set” before serving.

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 204kcal

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Did You Make This Recipe?

Share it with me on Instagram @crayonsandcravings and follow on Pinterest @crayonsandcravings for even more!

Valentines Cake Mix Cookies (12)
Valentines Cake Mix Cookies (2024)

FAQs

How to make cookie mix taste like bakery? ›

How To Make Boxed Cookies Better
  1. Use butter instead of margarine or oil.
  2. Add powdered milk. Sprinkling about 2 to 3 tablespoons of powdered milk per cup of cookie mix may seem kind of unconventional, but it is the best hack! ...
  3. Add brown sugar. ...
  4. Add vanilla extract. ...
  5. Brown the butter. ...
  6. Include an extra egg yolk.
Jan 3, 2024

What is the difference between cookie and cake mix? ›

Cookies and cake mix include fat, flour, sugar, and eggs. Cookies have a much thicker consistency, forming a dough that you can place, drop, spread on a tray, or make shapes out of in little amounts. In contrast, cakes have more liquids, so the mix is essentially a batter that you can pour.

Why do bakery cookies taste different? ›

One reason may be that bakeries use emulsions. Emulsions are flavorings designed for high heat applications. So they retain their flavoring much more than extracts do in baking. Emulsions are made without alcohol and also incorporate better with the other recipe ingredients.

How do I upgrade my Betty Crocker cookies? ›

Easy Add-In: After creating the dough according to the sugar cookie mix instructions, Add 2 tablespoons of sour cream to create a tangier, cakier and all-around more flavorful cookie. Flavor Twist: For a punchier twist, swap the water in the sugar cookie mix instructions for rum, bourbon or coffee liqueur.

What can I add to cookie mix to make it better? ›

Here are some easy switches you can make to upgrade your cookie mix and give it a homemade taste.
  1. Butter Instead of Margarine. ...
  2. Substitute margarine or shortening for butter using a 1:1 ratio. ...
  3. Coconut Oil Instead Of Other Fats. ...
  4. Maple Syrup Instead Of Granulated Sugar. ...
  5. Vanilla Extract. ...
  6. Almond Extract. ...
  7. Rum and Ginger. ...
  8. Cheesecake.

Why should you let cookies cool before baking more cookies? ›

Dropping cookies onto a hot baking sheet — one that just came out of the oven and hasn't had a chance to cool down — means that the butter begins melting even before the cookies go into the oven. These cookies ultimately spread out too much during baking.

How do you make packaged cookie mix taste like homemade? ›

Here's how you can improve premade cookie dough or dough from a mix.
  1. Add spice to your dough. ...
  2. Punch up the flavor of your cookies by adding extracts. ...
  3. Before baking, roll the dough in a garnish of your choice. ...
  4. Stir nuts right into the dough for an added crunch. ...
  5. Add in your favorite savory snacks, like chips or pretzels.
Aug 3, 2020

How do you make a cake mix taste like a cake from the bakery? ›

Add one to two teaspoons of a pure extract to make it taste like a from-scratch cake. Pure vanilla extract and pure almond extract are great options, but you could also try lemon extract or orange extract paired with fresh citrus zest.

How do you make cookie batter taste better? ›

No one will even suspect they're store-bought (and we won't tell anyone!).
  1. Add brown sugar. ...
  2. Experiment with extracts. ...
  3. Mix in different candies and snacks. ...
  4. Add espresso or coffee grounds. ...
  5. Deepen the flavors by refrigerating the dough. ...
  6. Salt before baking the cookies. ...
  7. Reduce baking time for extra soft cookies.

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