Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies
Soft, chewy cookies that transform boxed cake mix into an indulgent treat packed with candy-coated peanut butter pieces and crunchy salted peanuts. The chocolate fudge base creates rich, bakery-style cookies in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for last-minute gatherings or satisfying sudden sweet cravings. This shortcut recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, combining the convenience of cake mix with the irresistible combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and nuts.
Ingredients
- 1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix
- ⅓ cup butter or margarine, softened
- 2 eggsflax eggs2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 6 tbsp water per eggveganeggs-free
mix and let sit 5 minutes
Full guide → - 2 cups candy-coated peanut butter pieces
- 1 cup salted peanuts, coarsely choppedsunflower seeds1:1nut-freepeanuts-free
roasted preferred
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick cookie sheets)
- 2
Spray cookie sheets with cooking spray
- 3
Beat cake mix, butter and eggs with electric mixer on low speed just until moistened
- 4
Stir in peanut butter pieces and peanuts
- 5
Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto cookie sheets
- 6
Bake 7 to 10 minutes or until edges are set and tops appear dry
- 7
Cool 2 minutes then remove from cookie sheets
- 8
Cool completely before storing covered
Tips
Use parchment paper instead of cooking spray for easier cleanup and even browning.
Don't overbake - cookies will continue cooking on hot pan after removal from oven.
Let cookies cool completely before storing to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Good to Know
Store covered at room temperature for up to 1 week
Dough can be prepared and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking
Serve at room temperature with milk or coffee
Common Mistakes
Don't overmix the dough to avoid tough cookies
Space cookies properly to prevent spreading together
Remove from oven when edges are just set to avoid overbaking
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Vegan Options
mix and let sit 5 minutes
Full guide →Nut-Free Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes, any chocolate cake mix works well. Vanilla or yellow cake mix will create a different flavor profile but still delicious cookies.
What if I don't have candy-coated peanut butter pieces?
Regular peanut butter chips, chopped peanut butter cups, or even chocolate chips make excellent substitutes in the same amount.
How long do these cookies keep?
Store covered at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months in airtight containers.