Some cookies look fun. These taste fun. Cake Batter Rainbow Cookies bring the magic of birthday cake into every bite—complete with colorful sprinkles and that unmistakable cake batter flavor. They’re soft, chewy, and bursting with vanilla sweetness. If nostalgia had a flavor, it’d be this cookie.
This recipe is for anyone who wants to bake something bright, happy, and irresistibly good. These cookies hit all the right notes: soft centers, slightly crisp edges, buttery flavor, and rainbow sprinkles in every bite. The best part? You don’t need a mixer or fancy ingredients. Just a bowl, a spoon, and your craving for something sweet and cheerful.
Rainbow cookies are perfect for parties, bake sales, birthdays, or just making any random Tuesday feel more like a celebration. Kids love the colors. Adults love the flavor. And everyone loves the smell that fills the kitchen as they bake. They’re the kind of treat that makes people smile just by looking at them—and then keeps them smiling once they taste them.
We’re leaning into the cake batter vibe with a touch of almond extract (yes, that’s the secret to making it taste like boxed cake in the best way possible) and using boxed vanilla cake mix to get that iconic flavor and fluffy chew.
You can make the dough ahead of time, freeze it, and bake it later—meaning you’ll always have a batch ready when the craving hits. These cookies store well and travel great, so they’re ideal for gifting too.
Even if you’re new to baking, this recipe is practically foolproof. The dough comes together fast, the baking time is short, and the end result looks like it came from a bakery window. No piping bags, no chill time, just quick fun with big payoff.
These cookies are also endlessly customizable. Swap rainbow sprinkles for holiday colors, add white chocolate chips, or press a chocolate kiss into the center for an extra treat. The base dough is simple but strong—perfect for creative twists.
And if you’re someone who loves raw cookie dough (don’t worry, this one’s safe once baked), this will absolutely scratch that itch. The flavor is just so joyful. It’s sugar, vanilla, and sprinkles all doing their best work.
You’ll get cookies that puff up beautifully, crack just slightly on top, and hold their shape without spreading too much. That means they’re ideal for stacking, packaging, and presenting.
So whether you’re making these for a birthday or just because you deserve a little pick-me-up, Cake Batter Rainbow Cookies bring the party every time. They’re fun, fast, and fully addictive.
Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, oil, eggs, and almond extract until combined.
- Fold in the rainbow sprinkles.
- Scoop dough into 1-tablespoon sized balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are slightly cracked.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips:
- Don’t overbake—these cookies should stay soft.
- Add white chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
- For festive occasions, swap in seasonal sprinkles.
- Let dough rest for a few minutes if it’s sticky before rolling into balls.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Bright, colorful, and fun.
- Tastes like vanilla birthday cake in cookie form.
- Uses boxed mix for convenience.
- Customizable for any occasion.
- Great for kids, parties, and gift boxes.
Cake Batter Rainbow Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with party energy. Made with vanilla cake mix, almond extract, and rainbow sprinkles, these cookies bring celebration to any day. Quick to bake and easy to love, they’re a guaranteed hit with everyone who takes a bite.
Cake Batter Rainbow Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix 15.25 oz
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, oil, eggs, and almond extract until combined.
- Fold in the rainbow sprinkles.
- Scoop dough into 1-tablespoon sized balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are slightly cracked.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Don’t overbake—these cookies should stay soft.
- Add white chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
- For festive occasions, swap in seasonal sprinkles.
- Let dough rest for a few minutes if it's sticky before rolling into balls.