We all like sweet treats and baking regularly with your kids is an experience they’ll remember forever! But, as busy moms, baking from scratch seems like a huge hassle.
Getting out all the ingredients, blocking out at least a couple of hours of time, and dealing with the mess can all be overwhelming! But, don’t throw in the towel, make everything a little easier with boxed cookie mixes.
No, you’re not failing as a housewife or do-it-all mom if you grab a pre-made box mix. Your kids won’t even know the difference. They’ll just know they’re getting quality time with mom or dad and they get to be creative.
Speaking of creativity, there are lots of ways to dress-up a boxed cookie mix to make the pastries more fun, tasty, and personalized. That way, you get the convenience of a pre-packaged mix, but your family can totally make the cookies your own!
So, today I am sharing my best pre-packaged cookie mix hacks that’ll give them that homemade flavor! Here are some ideas for your next baking activity:
How To Make Boxed Cookies Better
Swapping butter for margarine or oil is a simple switch that’ll have a big impact on the flavor of your cookies! It’ll add moisture, layers, and super-rich flavor to your already-tasty cookies!
Just follow the instructions on the box but replace the margarine or oil the recipe calls for with an equal amount of unsalted butter. Just make sure the butter is softened (but not melted) before you add it to the mix!
Sprinkling about 2 to 3 tablespoons of powdered milk per cup of cookie mix may seem kind of unconventional, but it is the best hack! The milk powder adds a rich, creamy taste to the dough and transforms cookies into velvety little delights that your whole family will love!
The powdered milk should be added to the dry ingredients. So, before you add butter, eggs, milk, water, or whatever other wet ingredients the directions call for, combine those few tablespoons of powdered milk with the dry mix!
You can deepen the flavor profile of your cookies by swapping out a portion of the granulated white sugar for brown sugar. If you don’t want to mess with the measurements, simply sprinkle some brown sugar on top of the dough before you bake!
As it bakes, the brown sugar will caramelize and add more dimensions of sweetness. Yummy! They’ll definitely taste like grandma’s famous recipe after this.
We all know that vanilla extract is the true hero of baking. Not only will it give your cookies more flavor, but it’ll also make your home smell delicious while everything is baking! Don’t you just love being in a house with the aroma of baked goods in the air? We all do!
You don’t need much. Just add 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla to your wet ingredients and it’ll definitely help create that homemade taste.
Here’s a hack I bet you’ve never thought of! Take your boxed cookie mix to the next level by browning your butter to add nutty, caramelized richness to the flavor.
Just melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Then, continue to stir and cook the butter until it’s a golden-brown color. And before adding it to the mix, make sure it’s totally cooled down! Otherwise, it could cook your eggs and ruin your batch!
Top with melted chocolate.
Dipping or drizzling your cookies in melted chocolate makes them irresistible to your little bakers, and it also adds another opportunity for sensory activity!
By tween mixing the dry ingredients, adding the wet, and then dipping the cooled cookies in melted chocolate, your kids will experience the full range of sensory experiences! Just like with baking chips, your children will also have fun picking out what kind of chocolate to use.
Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Cookie Mix
FAQ
Can you add peanut butter to store bought cookie mix?
What can I add to box cookie mix to make it better?
How do I upgrade my Betty Crocker cookie mix?
How do you make store bought cookie dough better?
Can you use a boxed peanut butter cookie mix?
Using a boxed peanut butter cookie mix will save you a lot of time, so use the extra time to improve your cookies. Chill the cookie dough in the fridge before placing the cookies on the baking sheet. Even if it’s only for half an hour, chilling the dough will make a huge difference in the end result.
What are some substitutes for peanut butter?
Some good substitutes for peanut butter includes tree nut butters like almond, walnut, hazelnut, and pecan butters. These substitutes all have similar nutritional profiles including healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants which are good for your health.
Can you add peanut butter to PB cookie mix?
And, since peanut butter meshes with vanilla and caramel so wonderfully, it’s no wonder why it’s an excellent add-on for PB cookie mix. All you need to do is add a tablespoon of vanilla extract to the dough, and voila! You will have cookies that have an enhanced flavor all around. 5. Don’t Forget Mix-Ins
How do you make a peanut butter cookie mix?
You will need two types of mixes for this: one peanut butter cookie mix and one Betty Crocker super moist white cake mix. Take a large bowl and put in both mixes, 3 eggs, melted butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 3 tablespoons of milk. Mix them well. Then bake them in a preheated oven for 30-35 minutes.