20 Time-Saving Cake Mix Recipes for Christmas

If you need some easy holiday dessert shortcut recipes, we’re sharing our favorite Christmas treats made with cake mix.

Making cake mix recipes for Christmas is a fantastic way to save yourself some time and energy, while creating desserts that look and taste like they were made from scratch!

collage image featuring cake mix Christmas recipes, including cookies, cakes, and quick breads.

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During the holiday season, life can get a little chaotic, can’t it?

That’s why I’m a bit proponent of having some quick and easy shortcut recipes up your sleeve!

But we’re not talking about slice and bake cookies here–we want treats that still look and taste homemade, but without all the hassle of baking from scratch.

I love using cake mix recipes to simplify life, and this is the perfect time of year to take advantage of their ease.

These Christmas cake mix recipes are some of my favorites to make and share.

Whether you need ideas for a Christmas cookie swap, a dessert exchange, a bake sale, a handmade gift, or an easy treat to serve after Christmas dinner, these are some fantastic options!

1. Cake Mix Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies are a must during the holiday season, and this easy recipe uses a spice cake mix with a few simple additions, creating a soft and chewy gingerbread cookie that tastes amazing.

Decorate them as you wish or serve them plain–either way, they’re a great addition to your holiday dessert spread!

2. Cake Mix Sugar Cookie Cutouts

Cutout sugar cookies are one of those traditions that kids and adults alike love–and they’re just so fun to decorate!

You’d be surprised how easy it is to transform a cake mix into these sweet sugar cookies. Grab your favorite cookie cutters and make some tasty treats for Santa!

3. Gingerbread Bundt Cake from a Mix

I’m a sucker for a delicious bundt cake, and this easy gingerbread cake recipe is a holiday stunner!

It uses real molasses for that classic gingerbread flavor, then is topped with a cream cheese icing that gives it a little extra pizazz.

It’s truly a lovely dessert, but without the hassle of making a layer cake!

4. Funfetti Christmas Bread from a Mix

A loaf of Christmas bread is a jack-of-all-trades kind of recipe. You can serve it for Christmas morning breakfast, as dessert after a big holiday meal, or even as a handmade gift.

I love the festive colors and the drizzle of glaze–it’s such a cheerful look!

5. Eggnog Bundt Cake from a Mix

Eggnog isn’t just for drinking! This eggnog bundt cake is a unique holiday dessert that incorporates the traditional spiced flavor in both the cake and the icing.

It’s super easy to make, yet is pretty (and tasty) enough to impress your guests!

6. Cake Mix Cranberry Bread

I enjoy eating cranberry baked goods for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the pretty red color of this cake mix cranberry bread is always festive and fun.

The texture of this bread is velvety soft, like a pound cake, and it’s dotted with plenty of fresh cranberries.

Another great edible gift idea, a simple breakfast, afternoon snack, or tasty dessert. Add a dollop of whipped cream if you’d like!

7. Holiday Pistachio Bread from a Mix

This easy pistachio bread is always one of my most popular recipes during the holiday season. There’s just something about the green hue and nutty flavor that everyone loves!

It’s easy to make with cake mix and pistachio pudding, and you can add sprinkles to the top of the loaves for an extra touch.

8. Cranberry Orange Muffins Using Cake Mix

If you ask me, cranberries and oranges are a match made in heaven, and these cranberry orange muffins are the proof!

These moist and tender muffins are the perfect addition to a holiday brunch, especially with their vibrant red berries and sparkly streusel topping.

Add some pecans for a bit of crunch, if you’d like.

9. Cake Mix Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Peanut butter blossoms are one of my favorite Christmas cookies, so when I figured out how to make them with a cake mix, I was over the moon!

It really simplifies the process and saves me time–who couldn’t use more of that during the holidays?

The soft peanut butter cookies are topped with Hershey Kisses, so they’re a well-loved cookie to add to your baking list this year.

20. Pecan Upside Down Cake from a Mix

Skip the pecan pie this year and make a pecan upside down cake instead!

It’s a delicious yellow bundt cake with a topping reminiscent of pumpkin pie, baked right into the cake!

Such a fun and unique addition to your Christmas dessert table.

11. Lemon Cookies Made with Cake Mix

Lemon desserts are highly underrated during the holidays, but these lemon cookies will make you think twice!

The bright, tart citrus flavor is really refreshing after eating a lot of super sweet desserts. They feel light and cheery while still satisfying your sweet tooth!

12. Cake Mix Butter Pecan Cookies

Another favorite among pecan lovers, these butter pecan cookies offer chewy texture and nutty crunch, but with minimal effort on your part!

Using a butter pecan cake mix is a great way to infuse the cookies with plenty of rich flavor.

13. Red Velvet Pound Cake from a Mix

I’m a sucker for all things red velvet during the holidays, and this red velvet pound cake is at the top of the list.

Pound cakes are a little more dense than regular box mix cakes, so a few additional ingredients give this cake an amazing texture.

Add the cream cheese icing on top and you’re set with a beautiful red and white dessert!

14. Lotus Biscoff Loaf Cake from a Mix

If you’ve had Biscoff cookies, you know what a treat they are! This Biscoff loaf cake takes advantage of their warm spices and sweetness to create a delicious quick bread.

Whether you’re serving it as breakfast or dessert, it’s a cinch to make and disappears fast!

15. Cake Mix Pistachio Pudding Bundt Cake

Another beautiful bundt cake, this easy pistachio pudding cake boasts a festive green hue, moist and tender crumb, and ridiculously easy preparation.

You don’t even need any icing for this cake–it’s delicious on its own!

It’s an easy pudding cake that makes a great addition to your holiday parties and gatherings.

16. Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

If you want a stunning but decadent handheld dessert, these red velvet whoopie pies are a must-have.

Two red velvet shells are sandwiched with a marshmallow cream cheese filling, which gives them a from-scratch flavor and look. Nobody will guess you made them with cake mix!

17. Pistachio Whoopie Pies

For another fun variation, try these pistachio whoopie pies! You can even arrange them alongside red velvet whoopie pies to give a red and green flair to your dessert table.

These cake mix sandwich cookies have the nutty flavor of pistachio, but with a marshmallow fluff filling.

18. Cake Mix Cranberry Orange Cookies

We love these cranberry orange cookies made with cake mix! They’re soft and chewy, but with plenty of cranberry and citrus flavor.

I especially love the glaze on top, which hardens to a satiny finish. Holiday perfection!

19. Red Velvet Loaf Cake Made with Cake Mix

If you love the red velvet loaf from Starbucks, you need to try this cake mix red velvet loaf cake!

It has a soft, moist texture, a beautiful vibrant red hue, and a creamy icing on top that takes it to the next level.

This recipe is proof that sometimes the simplest desserts are the best!

20. Red Velvet Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

Another red velvet wonder, these red velvet ooey gooey bars are a festive twist on classic butter cake squares.

The red velvet base of the bars is topped with a creamy filling. You can serve them warm or at room temperature for a tasty holiday treat.

Easy Holiday Desserts

There’s no reason you should be working yourself to the bone in the kitchen this holiday season!

With a few simple shortcuts and some tried-and-true recipes, you can still create swoon-worthy desserts, while still being able to enjoy the holiday yourself.