If you love a Crumbl Birthday Cake Cookie, you are going to be obsessed with this copycat version.

After years of baking and testing cake mix cookies, I can confidently say that this one checks every box. Thick, soft, bakery-style cookies filled with sprinkles and topped with a dreamy cake batter cream cheese frosting that tastes just like the real thing.

And the best part? It all starts with a cake mix. Because around here, we don’t overcomplicate baking, we keep it simple, reliable, and completely bakery-worthy. These are the kind of cookies that turn any day into a celebration.

Why You’ll Love These Copycat Crumbl Birthday Cake Cookies

There are so many reasons to love these birthday cake mix cookies, but here are a few of my favorites:

• They start with a cake mix! No complicated ingredients or extra steps. Using a cake mix as the base for the cookie means perfect results every time.
• They are thick and soft, just like Crumbl. These cookies bake up big, soft in the center, and have that signature bakery-style texture that makes Crumbl cookies so irresistible.
• Sprinkles make them fun and customizable! Use any color or style of sprinkles to match a holiday, party, or theme. It’s an easy way to make them your own.
• The cake batter frosting is unique and next-level good. Adding cake mix to the cream cheese frosting gives it that true birthday cake flavor in every single bite.
• They double as a birthday dessert! Add a candle, and you have the perfect individual birthday treat. No cake required.

Ingredients Needed

Birthday Cake Cookie:

• Vanilla Cake Mix – The base of these soft and bakery-style copycat Crumbl birthday cake cookies. Using a cake mix keeps things simple and gives you consistent results every time.
• Sour Cream – Adds moisture and richness while balancing the sweetness for a soft, tender cookie.
• Sprinkles – Rainbow sprinkles give these cookies that classic birthday cake look, but you can easily change the colors to match any holiday or celebration.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• Cake Mix – The secret to that signature cake batter flavor. Adding a bit of dry cake mix transforms this into a true Crumbl-style birthday cake frosting.
• Powdered Sugar – Adds sweetness and gives the frosting a smooth, pipeable texture.
• Milk – Used to thin the frosting to the perfect consistency for piping.

The Cake Mix I Used

For these copycat Crumbl Birthday Cake Cookies, I used a vanilla cake mix. It’s one of my favorite shortcuts because it creates soft, bakery-style cookies with consistent results every time.

I usually reach for brands like Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, or Pillsbury—just make sure you’re using a 13.25-ounce box for the best results.

Can I use a Different Cake Mix?

Yes, you can always substitute white cake mix for vanilla, but this recipe would also be great with yellow cake mix. Keep in mind yellow cake mix will obviously make the cookies more yellow.

And if you love cake mix cookies as much as I do, be sure to check out the rest of my cake mix cookie recipes!

How to Make a Crumbl Birthday Cookie

1. Combine cake mix, flour, eggs, melted butter, and sour cream in a large bowl. Mix using a handheld {or stand} mixer until you have a thick dough.
2. Add the sprinkles and mix in by hand until they are evenly distributed.

3. Using a 1/4 cup, measure out 11-12 cookies. Use your hands to press the cookie dough into a disc that is a thick round circle. Bake 6 cookies at a time. Place the cookie on a silicone mat{or parchment paper} lined baking sheet for 10-12 minutes or until set.
4. Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet.

5. For the frosting, combine the softened cream cheese and butter in a large bowl with a handheld mixer until creamy and smooth. Add cake mix and powdered sugar and continue to mix until you have a pipeable consistency. Add enough milk to get the consistency you want.
6. Put the frosting in a piping bag {or zipper bag} and cut a large triangle from the bottom. Pipe a circular motion starting on the outside and working your way to the middle. Sprinkle the top of each cookie with a few additional sprinkles. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Pro Tips

• Whisk together the cake mix and flour before adding the wet ingredients. This will help combine the ingredients and remove any lumps in the cake mix.
• Mix the sprinkles in by hand. Using a mixer can break the sprinkles down too much. Gently folding them in keeps their color and texture intact..
• Shape the cookie dough mounds into large discs. Press the dough into large, thick rounds before baking. This helps create that signature Crumbl-style cookie shape.
• Don’t over-bake the cookies. Cake mix cookies can dry out quickly. Bake just until set for soft, tender centers.
• Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet. The residual heat finishes baking the cookies and helps them set up perfectly without overbaking.
• Use room temperature ingredients for the frosting. Softened cream cheese and butter will give you a smooth, creamy frosting that pipes beautifully.

Storage Instructions

Store: The best way to store your Crumbl Copycat Cookies is in the refrigerator. The cookies will keep well for 4-5 days this way. They can also be stored in an airtight container at room temperature, but they will only last for 1-2 days.

Freeze: These cookies can be frozen with or without frosting for up to 3 months. Be aware that the sprinkles may bleed into the frosting as they thaw, but they’ll still be delicious!

Recipe FAQs

Looking for more birthday cookie recipes?

• Easy Homemade Birthday Cookie Cake
• Easy Sprinkle Sugar Cookies with a Cake Mix
• The Best Soft Lofthouse Sugar Cookies
• Easy Cosmic Brownie Cookies
• Celebration Texas Sheet Cake Cookies

Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @practicallyhomemade on Pinterest!