Name: Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 15.25 ounces white cake mix; 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 2 teaspoons peppermint extract or mint extract; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; green gel food coloring, enough for desired color; ¼ cup powdered sugar; 3 tablespoons cornstarch; red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 46 reviews

If you’re looking for a festive, fun treat with a cool minty twist, you’re going to love this Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe. These cookies are perfect for holiday parties, winter gatherings, or anytime you want a burst of peppermint flavor wrapped in soft, chewy cookie goodness. I’ve made these several times, and each batch disappears faster than I can explain the recipe. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step so your cookies come out perfect every time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simplicity: Using cake mix as a base makes whipping up these cookies quick and foolproof without sacrificing taste.
Flavor Balance: The peppermint and vanilla extracts combine to create that refreshing mint flavor without overpowering the sweetness.
Soft, Chewy Texture: Thanks to the butter and eggs, these cookies stay tender and chewy—never dry or crumbly.
Eye-Catching Color: The vibrant green from gel food coloring makes these cookies a festive showstopper that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat.

Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies, peppermint cookie recipe, festive holiday cookies, easy mint chocolate cookies, winter dessert ideas - The image shows rows of light green cookies on a silver cooling rack, each cookie round and cracked on top with a dusting of white powdered sugar. Each cookie has a small red heart-shaped decoration placed near the center. The cooling rack and cookies sit on a white marbled surface that is smooth and clean. The cookies appear soft and slightly puffy with a delicate texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe uses simple ingredients that work beautifully together to create that unique minty cookie experience. Plus, using store-bought cake mix saves time and ensures consistency, especially if you’re new to baking cookies from scratch.

Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies, peppermint cookie recipe, festive holiday cookies, easy mint chocolate cookies, winter dessert ideas - Flat lay of a small mound of fine white cake mix on a simple white ceramic plate, a few tablespoons of pale creamy unsalted butter shaped into a neat pat, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl filled with clear peppermint extract, another small white bowl with smooth vanilla extract, a delicate dollop of bright green gel food coloring on white ceramic, a small white bowl containing pure white powdered sugar, a separate small white bowl with fine white cornstarch, and a scattering of tiny bright red heart-shaped sprinkles arranged artfully on the side, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

White cake mix: The foundation for these cookies provides a tender crumb and subtle sweetness, making mixing a breeze.
Unsalted butter: Softened butter adds richness and helps keep the cookies soft with a slight chew.
Large eggs: Room temperature eggs bind everything and contribute to the moist texture.
Peppermint or mint extract: The star flavor here—just the right amount adds a refreshing minty touch.
Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla rounds out the mint and adds warmth.
Green gel food coloring: Gel is best for vibrant color without thinning your dough.
Powdered sugar: Helps with coating, enhancing the cookie’s exterior appearance and texture.
Cornstarch: Mixed with powdered sugar, it prevents the coating from clumping and adds a delicate finish.
Red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts: A festive touch that adds visual appeal and a hint of extra flavor.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love most about this Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want it extra minty, a little less sweet, or even festive in a different color, it’s pretty forgiving—and I encourage you to make it your own.

Extra Minty: I’ve added a half teaspoon more peppermint extract once or twice for a really bold punch—just be sure not to overdo it because it can become soapy.
Valentine’s Day Twist: Swap the green gel food coloring for pink or red, and use heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts to match the occasion.
Chocolate Peppermint: Add some mini chocolate chips into the dough for an extra layer of flavor that pairs wonderfully with mint.
Dairy-Free Option: Replace butter with coconut oil or a dairy-free butter substitute—just expect a slight change in texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix Your Batter

First, preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so your cookies don’t stick. Then, in a large bowl, grab your handheld mixer or stand mixer and beat together the white cake mix, softened butter, and eggs until everything is well combined. The batter will start thick and sticky, which is exactly what you want.

Step 2: Add Peppermint, Vanilla & Color

Next, add in your peppermint extract and vanilla extract along with green gel food coloring. I usually squeeze in a generous amount of coloring until I get a vibrant green I’m happy with. Mix on low speed just until it’s blended—you don’t want to overmix. At this point, the batter will remain thick but should be evenly colored.

Step 3: Prepare the Powdered Sugar Coating

In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. This coating helps keep the cookie dough from sticking to your hands and creates a beautiful outer texture once baked. Trust me, it’s a game-changer!

Step 4: Scoop, Roll, and Bake

Use a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop or your hands to form dough balls—it’s sticky, so rolling them in the powdered sugar-cornstarch mixture helps immensely. Place the coated balls about 1 inch apart on your baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges look set and the cookie tops appear dry to the touch.

Step 5: Add the Festive Hearts and Cool

Right after you pull the cookies from the oven, gently press a red heart-shaped sprinkle or a cinnamon heart into the center of each cookie so it sticks as the cookie cools. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps prevent them from breaking apart.

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Pro Tips for Making Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Use Gel Food Coloring: Unlike liquid coloring, gel won’t thin your dough and gives a much richer green color.
Don’t Skip the Powdered Sugar Coating: It really stops the sticky dough from clinging to your hands and adds that pretty crackled look when the cookies bake.
Room Temperature Eggs and Butter: These mix better and result in a smoother batter for perfect texture.
Watch Bake Time Closely: Cookies can go from soft to too firm quickly; pull them as soon as edges set and tops look dry for the best chew.

How to Serve Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies, peppermint cookie recipe, festive holiday cookies, easy mint chocolate cookies, winter dessert ideas - A large pile of light green cookies with a soft cracked texture, each topped with a small red heart candy, sits on a white plate in the center. Two smaller white plates in the background hold more of the same cookies. The cookies are dusted lightly with powdered sugar. Around the plates are red and green round Christmas ornaments and a small wooden bowl filled with red candies on a white marbled surface. A white bottle is visible in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with the red heart-shaped sprinkles right after baking because it creates such a cute, festive contrast to the green. Sometimes, I swap in cinnamon candies on top for a little extra warmth and spice—both look super charming and make great conversation starters!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of cocoa or peppermint tea to double down on the minty flavors. For holiday gatherings, I often serve them alongside a cheese board with some sharp cheddar and fresh fruit, which surprisingly complements the sweetness and freshness of the cookies.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive party, I like to stack these cookies in a clear glass jar layered with red and white candy canes or cranberries for a pop of color. Wrapping a few in cellophane tied with a festive ribbon makes a delightful gift too. And if you’re prepping for Valentine’s Day, swapping to pink dough and heart sprinkles instantly gives you lovable themed cookies.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, I store my leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days, but honestly—they usually don’t last that long around my house!

Freezing

If you want to freeze them, I recommend fully cooling the cookies, then placing them in a freezer-safe ziplock bag or container. They freeze well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw them overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for several hours.

Reheating

To bring back that just-baked warmth and soft texture, pop leftover cookies into a warm (not hot) oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. It’s a quick trick that makes your cookies taste freshly made again.

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

While white cake mix creates the perfect blank canvas for peppermint flavor, you could experiment with yellow or vanilla cake mixes. Just keep in mind that it may alter the cookie’s color and taste slightly. For the classic minty effect and that bright green look, white cake mix is best.
What if I don’t have peppermint extract?

If you don’t have peppermint extract, mint extract is a good substitute, though it might be milder. Also, a few drops of peppermint oil can work, but use sparingly—a little goes a long way and can be overpowering.
Why do you use cornstarch with powdered sugar for rolling?

Mixing cornstarch with powdered sugar prevents clumping and gives a nice crackled finish to the cookie’s surface. It also makes rolling sticky dough much easier, so your hands don’t get messy and the cookie forms more beautifully.
How do I avoid the cookies spreading too much?

Be sure to use the exact measurements and keep your dough chilled briefly if it feels too soft. Also, avoid adding extra liquid like more extract or food coloring, as it can make the dough runnier and cause more spreading.

Final Thoughts

This Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe has become one of my go-to festive treats because it’s straightforward, forgiving, and downright fun to make. I love how it brings that cool mint vibe and eye-catching green color to the cookie plate—plus, everyone seems to fall in love at first bite. So grab your ingredients, dust off your mixer, and have fun baking these—your friends and family will thank you!