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Easy Lightened-Up Birthday Cake Cookies Recipe

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These lightened-up birthday cake cookies with sprinkles are soft, chewy, and ready in under 25 minutes. Made with a box of vanilla cake mix and Greek yogurt, they deliver nostalgic birthday cake flavor without the guilt.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla cake mix (preferably without pudding in the mix)
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies, not nonpareils)
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • For the glaze (optional):
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk (any kind)
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Extra sprinkles for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  2. Melt the butter in the microwave for about 20 seconds, or until just melted. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Greek yogurt, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and slightly glossy.
  4. Add the cake mix, baking soda, and salt. Stir until just combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
  5. Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles with a spatula. Do not overmix.
  6. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion out rounded tablespoons of dough and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 9-11 minutes. The edges should look set and lightly golden, but the centers will still look slightly soft.
  8. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. For the glaze (optional): In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. The glaze should be thick but drizzle-able.
  10. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies and top with extra sprinkles while the glaze is still wet. Let the glaze set for about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t overbake; cookies should look underdone when removed from oven. For thicker cookies, chill dough for 30 minutes. Use a light-colored baking sheet to prevent burning. Rotate pan halfway through baking. Let glaze set completely before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: birthday cake cookies, lightened-up cookies, cake mix cookies, sprinkle cookies, easy cookie recipe, funfetti cookies

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