If you’re looking for a festive and fun way to celebrate with a sweet treat, this Easy Canada Day Cookies Recipe is just what you need. Bursting with colorful Oh Canada! M&Ms and made from a simple yellow cake mix base, these cookies come together quickly and deliver a soft, tender bite every time. They’re perfect for sharing with friends and family while honoring all things Canada Day, and the best part is how effortlessly you can make them without sacrificing any flavor or charm.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Trust me, the ingredients in this Easy Canada Day Cookies Recipe are incredibly straightforward but absolutely essential. Each one plays a key role in making these cookies soft, chewy, and bursting with that signature Canadian flair.
- Yellow cake mix: Provides a sweet, fluffy base that’s perfect for soft cookies without all the fuss of measuring multiple dry ingredients.
- Vegetable oil (canola recommended): Keeps the cookies moist and tender, ensuring they’re never dry.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness for that perfect chewy texture.
- Oh Canada! M&Ms (190g/6.7 oz package): These vibrant red and white candies bring in festive color and a delicious crunch that screams celebration.
How to Make Easy Canada Day Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix Your Ingredients
Start by adding the yellow cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs into a large mixing bowl. Using an electric hand mixer on low speed, blend everything together until just combined. This step is crucial to ensure your batter is smooth and consistent. Once mixed, gently fold in the Oh Canada! M&Ms — they’re what give these cookies their special Canadian charm, so don’t be shy with them!
Step 2: Chill the Dough
Here’s a little tip I love to share: chilling the dough for about 30 minutes in the fridge (or 15–20 minutes in the freezer) makes the dough less sticky and results in slightly puffier cookies once baked. While you can skip this if you’re in a hurry, taking this extra step truly elevates the texture and handling of your dough.
Step 3: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while your dough chills. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a Silpat non-stick mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 4: Shape and Bake
Using your hands or a cookie scoop, roll the dough into 2-inch balls and place them on the baking sheet, ensuring they are at least 2 inches apart because the cookies will spread as they bake. Bake in the preheated oven for 11 to 13 minutes until the cookies are just set and lightly golden at the edges.
Step 5: Cool and Store
Once baked, let the cookies cool for a few minutes directly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a cooling rack. This step helps them firm up just right. After they’ve completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft and delicious for days to come.
How to Serve Easy Canada Day Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are already a showstopper with their red and white M&Ms, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate can add a beautiful touch for presentation and an extra hint of sweetness. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding edible maple leaf sprinkles for a fun Canadian twist!
Side Dishes
Pairing these cookies with a cup of maple-flavored tea or freshly brewed coffee creates a cozy snack experience. They also go wonderfully alongside vanilla ice cream, especially during outdoor Canada Day celebrations when you want a refreshing contrast to a warm, soft cookie.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation is everything when you’re celebrating a special holiday. Arrange your Easy Canada Day Cookies Recipe on a red and white platter, or stack them in a festive tin wrapped with a ribbon in Canada’s iconic colors. You can even serve them alongside a small bowl of extra Oh Canada! M&Ms for guests to add on top if they wish!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days without losing their softness. If you want to keep them fresh longer, be sure the container seals tightly to avoid any stale edges.
Freezing
These cookies freeze like a dream! Place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll last up to 3 months frozen and thaw quickly at room temperature or in the microwave.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy your cookies again, warm them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to revive that soft, just-baked texture. If you want a slightly crisp outside, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes.
FAQs
Can I substitute the yellow cake mix with something else?
You can try a white or butter cake mix, but yellow cake mix provides the ideal balance of flavor and texture for these cookies. Using a different mix might slightly alter the final taste and softness, but it should still be delicious!
What if I don’t have Oh Canada! M&Ms?
No worries! You can use any red and white candies or even classic M&Ms for a colorful cookie. Just try to keep the spirit of the colors to match the Canada Day theme.
Is it necessary to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough is recommended for easier handling and puffier cookies, but if you’re pressed for time, you can skip this step. The cookies will still turn out tasty, just a bit less airy.
How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your dough is well chilled and that you leave enough space between cookie balls on the baking sheet. Using parchment paper or a non-stick mat also helps control spreading slightly.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe relies on boxed yellow cake mix, which typically contains gluten. For gluten-free, seek a certified gluten-free cake mix and double-check your candy ingredients to ensure all components meet your dietary needs.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Easy Canada Day Cookies Recipe enough when you want a delightful, no-fuss dessert that speaks to the heart of Canada Day celebrations. They’re fun to make, easy to customize, and absolutely delicious every single time. Give this recipe a try, and you’ll have a new favorite cookie to share with everyone this holiday!
Print
Easy Canada Day Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes including chilling
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Canadian
Description
Celebrate Canada Day with these easy and festive cookies made from a simple yellow cake mix, studded with Oh Canada! M&Ms. Soft, colorful, and quick to prepare, these cookies are perfect for patriotic celebrations or any time you want a sweet treat bursting with bright Canadian-themed colors.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 (15.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (e.g. canola)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 (190g/6.7 ounce) package Oh Canada! M&Ms
Instructions
- Mix Ingredients: Add the yellow cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs to a large mixing bowl. Using an electric hand mixer on low speed, blend until just combined. Gently fold in the Oh Canada! M&Ms to evenly distribute them throughout the dough.
- Chill Dough: Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or longer, or alternatively place it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. Chilling helps reduce stickiness and encourages puffier cookies, but this step can be skipped if you’re short on time.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a Silpat non-stick baking mat.
- Form and Bake Cookies: Shape the dough into 2-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing at least 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake the cookies for 11-13 minutes until they are set around the edges but still soft in the center.
- Cool and Store: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack. Once fully cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain their softness.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is optional but recommended for less sticky dough and puffier cookies.
- Spacing cookies well on the tray prevents them from spreading into each other.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cookie removal and less mess.
- Store cookies airtight to keep them soft for several days.
- These cookies are perfect for celebrations and can be customized with other colored M&Ms or candy mix-ins.
