You know how you sometimes make things 100000% harder than they have to be? I've been doing that with snickerdoodles my whole life. Okay, maybe not my WHOLE life, but part of it. At least the last five years, okay?
So, sometimes Pinterest lies and tells you things are super easy and then they are disastrous. In fact, I have a whole little photo album devoted to my Pinterest fails. Some of them are epic, like the oven-dehydrated strawberry "gummy" snacks that were a terrible waste of food and time and money. Or the lame butter softening hack of placing a stick of butter under a hot glass on a countertop that failed to do anything except make everything kind of wet.
But this is a... Pinterest win. A cake mix that doubles as a cookie mix? No real measuring, no special ingredients, and it makes cookies that even the snobbiest cookie connoisseur will crave? It might seem too good to be true, but it's absolutely real.
Here is the full recipe, but you can also just skip it and watch this instructional video (it really is that easy):
Ingredients:
1 box white cake mix (I love the King Arthur's gluten free mix)
1 8 oz package of cream cheese, room temp
1 stick butter, room temp
1 egg
1 cup cinnamon chips
1/2 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
Directions:
In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, cream cheese, egg, and butter. You can cream the butter, cream cheese, and egg first, then add the cake mix slowly. Or, you could dump it all in a bowl and mix it with your hands until completely incorporated, which is faster and more fun.
Next, add your cinnamon chips. These are essential and really up the novelty factor. Your neighbors and coworkers and family will question your baking prowess. Smile demurely and keep your secret. Or tell the whole world about your hacks.
On a small, shallow plate, mix sugar and cinnamon. Form dough into small balls and lightly roll through sugar cinnamon mixture. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.
Eat or share liberally — your choice. Enjoy!
