Christmas cookies bring back so many memories of baking with my mom. While I love traditional cut-out cookies, sometimes you need something simpler during the busy holiday season. That’s exactly why these Cool Whip cookies have become a December staple in our house.

These cookies are perfect for those moments when you want homemade treats but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. I often make them while wrapping presents or when the kids ask for cookies at the last minute for their school party. The best part? They only need a few ingredients you probably already have, plus a tub of Cool Whip.

If you’re looking for a fuss-free holiday cookie that still tastes homemade, these are for you. They’re soft, sweet, and always disappear faster than you’d expect. Plus, they’re so easy that even my youngest can help make them without turning the kitchen into a disaster zone.

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Cookies

Quick and simple – With just 6 ingredients and under 45 minutes total time, these cookies are perfect for last-minute holiday baking or when you need treats in a hurry.
Kid-friendly recipe – The easy mixing process and fun food coloring make this a great recipe to make with kids during the holiday season.
Budget-friendly ingredients – Using cake mix and Cool Whip as shortcuts means you don’t need to buy lots of expensive baking ingredients – just grab what you need and get baking!
Festive appearance – The red and green colors make these cookies perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Options for Substitutions

These cookies are pretty simple to make, and you’ve got some options when it comes to ingredients:

Cake mix: While vanilla cake mix is recommended, you can experiment with other flavors like white, yellow, or even chocolate cake mix. Just keep in mind this will change the final taste and look of your cookies.
Whipped topping: If you don’t have Cool Whip, you can use another brand of frozen whipped topping. However, don’t try to substitute with regular whipped cream – it won’t work the same way in this recipe due to the different consistency.
Food coloring: Gel food coloring gives the best results, but liquid food coloring works too. Just remember you might need to use more liquid coloring to get bright colors. Natural food coloring is another option, though the colors won’t be as bright.
Confectioners’ sugar: Also called powdered sugar or icing sugar – they’re all the same thing. There’s no good substitute for this one as it’s needed for the right texture and sweetness.
Vanilla essence: You can use vanilla extract instead of essence, or try almond extract for a different flavor. If you skip it altogether, your cookies will still turn out fine, just with a slightly less complex flavor.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making Cool Whip cookies is preventing them from spreading too much – make sure your whipped topping is completely frozen before mixing it into the dough, and chill the formed dough balls for at least 30 minutes before baking.

Working with sticky dough can be frustrating, so keep a small bowl of powdered sugar nearby to dust your hands frequently while rolling the cookies into balls.

When it comes to food coloring, less is more – start with just a few drops and gradually add more until you reach your desired shade, as too much liquid food coloring can affect the texture of your dough.

For the perfect festive finish, don’t let the cookies cool completely before rolling them in powdered sugar, as the slight warmth helps the sugar stick better to the surface.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These Cool Whip cookies stay soft and yummy when kept in an airtight container at room temperature. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days. The container helps keep them from drying out and maintains their soft texture.

Freeze: Good news – these cookies freeze really well! Once they’re completely cool, layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep their festive charm for up to 3 months. It’s super handy to make them ahead for the holiday season!

Thaw: When you’re ready for your frozen cookies, just move them to the counter and let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. They’ll be just as soft and tasty as the day you made them. Perfect for unexpected holiday guests or late-night cookie cravings!

Easy Christmas Cookies with Cool Whip FAQ

Why does my cookie dough feel so sticky?

The dough for these Cool Whip cookies is naturally sticky because of the whipped topping. This is completely normal and exactly what we want! The stickiness is what gives these cookies their soft, pillowy texture. I usually spray my hands with a little cooking spray or dust them with powdered sugar when rolling the dough into balls.

Can I use different food coloring combinations for other holidays?

Yes, these cookies are perfect for any holiday or celebration! I’ve made them in orange and black for Halloween, pink and red for Valentine’s Day, and even rainbow colors for birthday parties. Just remember that gel food coloring will give you more intense colors than liquid without affecting the dough consistency.

Why do my cookies look crackled on top?

The crackled top is a signature look of these cookies and it’s supposed to happen! As the cookies bake, the confectioners’ sugar coating creates this beautiful crinkled effect. The contrast between the colored dough showing through the white sugar coating is what makes these cookies look so special and festive.

Preparation Time	20-30 minutes
Cooking Time	12-15 minutes
Total Time	32-45 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Ingredients

1 box vanilla-flavored cake mix
1 lightly beaten egg
8 ounces whipped topping
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Red and green gel food coloring (or liquid food coloring)
1 cup confectioners’ sugar

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Sil-Pat to prevent the cookies from sticking during baking.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cake mix, egg, cool whip, and vanilla until well combined.

The resulting dough will be thick and sticky.

Step 3: Color the Dough

Divide the dough in half and place one half in a second bowl.

Add a couple drops of red food coloring to one bowl and a couple drops of green food coloring to the other bowl.

Mix thoroughly until the desired colors are reached.

Add more food coloring as needed to achieve a vibrant shade.

Step 4: Coat Dough Balls in Powdered Sugar

Place powdered sugar into a small bowl.

Using a small cookie scoop or a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon, portion out the dough.

One scoop at a time, roll the dough in the powdered sugar until fully coated.

Place each dough ball onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring there is at least 2 inches of space between each one as they will spread a lot during baking.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until set around the edges.

The center of the cookies will still be soft, and that’s okay.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes.

Step 6: Cool Completely

After the initial cooling period, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once cooled, enjoy your vibrant, festive cookies!