The Easy Viral Cool Whip Crinkle Cookies Recipe!
Hi! If you’ve been following me for long you’ll already know this, but for those who are new, welcome to Far From The Farm. I’m Mona, the Brit behind the recipes, learning life and food in the States while sharing our debt-free journey and what’s on the menu in our home today!
There is something so joyful about the sweeter side of Southern baking. Ever since moving from the UK to the States, I’ve fallen in love with the charm behind these bright, fun, unapologetically indulgent treats.
The kind you might find at a church bake sale, a potluck table, or tucked into a neighbour’s cookie tin during the holidays.
They’re soft, sweet, pink, and cheerful. Something about them feels so wonderfully Southern, like they were made for baby showers, bake sales, women’s ministry meetings, or just an ordinary afternoon with a pot of tea.
The real secret behind these cookies is Cool Whip. It makes the batter glossy and fluffy, and the crinkles come from rolling each dough ball in powdered sugar just before baking. The outside gets a pretty snowy coating while the inside stays soft and tender.
And the best part? You only need four ingredients: a strawberry cake mix, Cool Whip, an egg, and powdered sugar. That’s all. No fuss. No complicated techniques.
The only non-negotiable is chilling the dough. The longer the better. I always aim for overnight because chilled dough holds its shape beautifully in the oven.
I also bake mine for way longer than the other viral Cool Whip cookie recipes out there because although they’re still lovely and soft, my family prefers them a little more like a normal cookie rather than the overly gooey ones. If you’d prefer yours softer just adjust the baking time – easy!
As a military family on baby step 2 of our debt free journey, baking at home has become one of the sweetest ways we keep our spirits up on tight weeks. These cookies tick every box for us.
They’re cute, delicious, inexpensive, and come together in minutes. A perfect treat that doesn’t blow the grocery budget.
And just a reminder that if you’re struggling and you need help with managing your budget or starting your own debt free journey then here’s some FREE resources below you may find helpful!
living frugally and fully
free tips and resources to make the most of what you have
You will need a stand mixer or at least a hand mixer because the dough is quite sticky and thick, and mixing by hand can leave pockets of dry cake mix. A mixer keeps everything smoother and gives you that soft, uniform texture.
Oh, and maybe it’s the Brit in me, but I swear these taste even better with a cup of tea. Strawberry and tea were meant to be together.
As always, these photos are from my real kitchen here in our sweet military base home. No staged lighting or spotless marble counters. Just real life and real food made in a small space. Proof that you can feed your family well without needing a dream kitchen or fancy tools!
So roll up your sleeves and step into the kitchen with me to make the easiest, prettiest Southern strawberry Cool Whip cookies ever.
And be sure to check out the video I’ve added into the recipe card so you can follow along step by step!
Equipment
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment (or a hand mixer)
- Silicone spatula
- Cookie scoop
- Spray oil (like Pam)
- Plastic wrap
- Mixing bowl
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Cooling rack
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Ingredients
Makes 14 to 18 cookies depending on scoop size
- 1 strawberry box cake mix (I use the Duncan Hines 15.25oz box cake mix)
- 1 tub thawed out Cool Whip (8 oz)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup powdered sugar
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the strawberry cake mix, egg, and entire tub of thawed out Cool Whip into your stand mixer bowl.
Step 2: Mix on low to medium speed until smooth and fully combined. The dough will be sticky and thick.
Step 3: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour or ideally overnight for the best texture.
Step 4: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 5: Add the powdered sugar to a small bowl.
Step 6: Lightly spray your cookie scoop with oil. Scoop one ball of dough at a time.
Step 7: Drop each dough ball directly into the powdered sugar. Roll it gently in your hands until completely coated.
Step 8: Place the coated dough balls on your baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each one.
Step 9: Bake small cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, or larger cookies for 10 to 14 minutes. Or adjust to your oven – they should look set around the edges but soft in the centre.
Step 10: Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool fully on the cookie sheet before transferring. They are very tender when hot.
Step 11: Once cooled, place on a serving platter and enjoy!
Notes and Troubleshooting
Notes:
- Chill overnight for the prettiest crinkles.
- Use different cake mix flavours to switch things up (lemon, chocolate, orange).
- Spray the scoop each time for cleaner shaping.
Troubleshooting:
Cookies too soft? Bake a minute or two longer and try a smaller scoop next time!
Storage
- Store in an airtight container for 3 days at room temperature.
- Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
- For best texture, thaw at room temperature.
Serving Ideas
- Serve with tea or coffee
- Add sprinkles for a baby shower theme
- Gift in treat bags
- Bring to a church potluck
- Perfect for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?!
- Only 4 ingredients
- Cheap and cheerful
- Perfect for beginners
- Fun Southern flavour
- Pretty pink crinkle finish
FAQ
Can I use a different cake mix?
Yes. Lemon and red velvet are delicious.
Can I skip chilling the dough?
I don’t recommend it. The cookies spread too much.
Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
No. It doesn’t have the structure needed.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes. Scoop, roll in sugar, freeze on a tray, then store in a bag.
Make This Recipe With Me!
Sometimes it’s just easier to watch a video than read a recipe card isn’t it?! So here’s a quick tutorial on how to make this simple and delicious recipe at home and on a budget – thank you for joining me in the kitchen today!
Perfectly Southern Strawberry Cool Whip Crinkle Cookies!
November 19, 2025Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add the strawberry cake mix, egg, and entire tub of thawed out Cool Whip into your stand mixer bowl.
- Mix on low to medium speed until smooth and fully combined. The dough will be sticky and thick.
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour or ideally overnight for the best texture.
- When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the powdered sugar to a small bowl.
- Lightly spray your cookie scoop with oil. Scoop one ball of dough at a time.
- Drop each dough ball directly into the powdered sugar. Roll it gently in your hands until completely coated.
- Place the coated dough balls on your baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each one.
- Bake small cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, or larger cookies for 10 to 14 minutes. Or adjust to your oven – they should look set around the edges but soft in the centre.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool fully on the cookie sheet before transferring. They are very tender when hot.
- Once cooled, place on a serving platter and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Chill overnight for the prettiest crinkles.
- Use different cake mix flavours to switch things up (lemon, chocolate, orange).
- Spray the scoop each time for cleaner shaping.
Storage
- Store in an airtight container for 3 days at room temperature.
- Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
- For best texture, thaw at room temperature.
Related Recipes:
- Check out all our Cookie Recipes here!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The Takeaway
These sweet Southern strawberry Cool Whip cookies are soft, pretty, budget friendly, and impossible to mess up.
A classic that feels nostalgic and homey in the best way. One bowl, four ingredients, and a batch of joy ready in minutes!
What To Try Next?!
Share & Rate This Recipe!
If these sweet Southern cookies steal your heart, share them with a friend who loves easy homemade treats and leave a quick rating so more families can find them too!
Last update on 2026-02-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
