Kentucky butter cake cookies are so easy to make with the help of a cake mix. Sweet, chewy cookies topped with a simple sugar glaze.

 

I’m all about a good, chewy cookie. I mean, is there anything better for dessert? Growing up in the South, butter cakes were always on the dessert table so I thought, why not turn those rich buttery flavors into a cookie? Let me tell you, they turned out to be the biggest hit!

The secret to my Kentucky butter cake cookies is starting with a cake mix, Duncan Hines golden butter cake mix to be exact, for that extra buttery taste. If you’ve got a yellow or white cake mix on hand, that works well too.

These cookies can be baked up fast and easy and have that same nostalgic, buttery flavor we all love.

A box of cake mix is one of my must have pantry items. If you are looking for other ways to use a cake mix try these strawberry cookies, a honeybun cake, or even banana bread.

Why you’ll love these cookies

• Easy to make. Using a cake mix makes these cookies so easy to put together.
• Amazing buttery flavor. Inspired by the classic Southern butter cake, these cookie are full of buttery goodness.
• Great for all occasions. These butter cookies are perfect for holidays, potlucks, or just a simple sweet treat.

Ingredients

A cake mix makes this cookie recipe so easy to prepare. You will need:

• Cake mix – I recommend using a golden butter cake mix or yellow cake mix.
• Eggs – 2 eggs are used to bind the cookie dough together.
• Butter – Unsalted butter gives these butter cake cookies a delicious flavor.
• Butter extract – This is an optional ingredient but adds another delicious layer of butter flavor.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar is used to make the sweet butter glaze.
• Vanilla – Vanilla extract is used for the glaze.

How to make Kentucky butter cake cookies

This is a simple recipe but the key is to not over bake the cookies. Scroll to the bottom for the full, printable recipe and video.

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• Mix the cake mix, eggs, melted butter, and butter extract in a mixing bowl.
• Scoop the cookie dough and drop on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 7-8 minutes. The cookies might not look completely done but they will be fine once they cool.

• Let the cookies cool on the pan for about 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
• Make the glaze by placing butter, sugar, water, and vanilla in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Spoon over the cooled cookies.

Heather’s recipe tips

Even though these cookies are so easy to make, these few tips will help them turn out great every time.

• Make sure to let the melted butter cool a little bit before mixing it in with the eggs. If the butter is too hot, it might scramble the eggs.
• Be careful not to over bake these cookies. Check them at 7 minutes of baking time. The cookies might not look completely set but they will be perfect once they cool.
• Let the cookies completely cool before spooning the glaze on top. You will also want the glaze time to set, about 5 minutes before serving.
• This recipe will make about 18 cookies.

Storing cookies

Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

These cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Let the thaw at room temperature.

More easy cookie recipes

• Sour cream sugar cookies
• Brownie mix cookies
• Lemon cake mix cookies
• Cherry bon bon cookies