If you’re craving peanut butter cookies but don’t want to start from scratch, these Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies are the perfect shortcut. With just 4 simple ingredients and less than 20 minutes, you can bake a batch of soft, cake-like cookies anytime the craving strikes.
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Why You’ll Love These Cookies
- Versatility: No applesauce on hand? You can substitute vegetable oil. I tested both versions and included notes below on the texture differences.
- Just 4 Ingredients: A box of cake mix, eggs, creamy peanut butter, and unsweetened applesauce.
- The Texture Secret: I tested this recipe with both vegetable oil and applesauce. While both worked, the applesauce version was noticeably softer and more cake-like, while the oil version had a firmer texture more like a traditional peanut butter cookie.
If you love easy cookies made with cake mix, be sure to try my Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies too.
Ingredients
You only need 4 simple ingredients to make these peanut butter cake mix cookies.
Ingredient Notes
- Cake Mix: I tested these cookies with white cake mix, but other flavors work too. Yellow cake mix will give a slightly richer flavor, while chocolate cake mix makes a delicious chocolate peanut butter cookie.
- Eggs: Room temperature eggs mix more evenly into the dough.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: I also tested these with oil instead of applesauce. The applesauce version was softer and more cake-like, while the oil version was firmer and more like a traditional peanut butter cookie.
- Peanut Butter: I tested this recipe with creamy peanut butter, but crunchy peanut butter should work too.
How These Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies Come Together
The cookie dough mixed together in one bowl.
The cookies flattened with a fork in the classic criss-cross pattern and ready to bake.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overbake
- Let cool on the pan a few minutes
- Use creamy peanut butter
- Use room temperature eggs and applesauce
- For easy freezer-to-oven cookies, flatten the dough with a fork before freezing.
Variation Ideas
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies: Fold in ½ to 1 cup mini chocolate chips before baking. I tested this variation and loved the combination of peanut butter and chocolate.
- Chocolate Cake Mix: Use chocolate cake mix instead of white cake mix for a peanut butter chocolate cookie.
- Yellow Cake Mix: Yellow cake mix can be substituted for white cake mix for a slightly richer flavor.
Storage and Freezing
- Room Temperature: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days.
- Freezing Cookie Dough: Freeze flattened cookie dough portions on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen (just add a minute or two to the baking time!).
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Baked cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Note: Because of the moisture from the applesauce, they may get slightly sticky when thawed.
FAQs
Yes. Peanut butter adds flavor and richness while helping create a soft cookie texture.
Yes. Peanut butter can be added to cake mix cookies, cakes, and bars. For this recipe, it’s mixed directly into the cookie dough.
Yes. I tested these cookies with white cake mix, but yellow cake mix works well too.
Yes. Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet, flatten slightly with a fork, and freeze. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time if needed.
Try These Box Mix Cookies Next
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4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix 15.25 ounces
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine the cake mix, peanut butter, unsweetened applesauce, and eggs in a large bowl with a spatula or large spoon.1 box cake mix, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, ½ cup unsweetened applesauce, 2 eggs
- Drop by rounded tablespoons onto a prepared baking sheet. Flatten each cookie slightly in a criss-cross pattern with a fork dipped in sugar.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes or until the cookies are set and the bottoms are lightly golden brown. See photo below for reference.
- Cool on the pan for 2-3 minutes then move to a wire rack.
About Mindy
Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.