While this time of year is full of holiday cheer, it’s also has plenty of expenses. Between gifts, decorations, and holiday gatherings—our wallets are already starting to feel the pinch.
But the good news is, you don’t need lots of expensive ingredients to make a stand-out holiday dessert. A $1.25 box of cake mix found at stores like Dollar Tree, Walmart, and Aldi are the secret to creating these crowd-pleasing sweet treats without spending a fortune.
We’re sharing our 20 favorite holiday desserts that start with a $1.25 box of cake mix—from Red Velvet cookies to towering chocolate trifles and everything in between.
These recipes go to show you festive baking doesn’t have to cost a fortune—or take all day. So go on and save these recipes—and turn that $1.25 box into pure holiday magic.
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Sock it to Me Cake
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans are the star of this easy-to-make cake. Feel free to double up the glaze if you want it even sweeter.
“I followed this recipe exactly as written and it came out perfect,” says one reviewer. “It was super moist, wonderfully flavorful, and sweet, without being heavy. I will make this cake again for the holidays with confidence! Might be the best cake I have ever made!”
Pudding Poke Cake
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Two pre-made components—yellow cake mix and Jell-O Instant Pudding—make this cake a breeze to prep. Feel free to experiment with flavors too; butterscotch, pistachio, banana, coconut, or vanilla pudding all work beautifully here.
“This was a big hit for Christmas dessert,” says one reviewer. “And very easy to make!”
Golden Rum Cake
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
This Golden Rum Cake recipe has nearly 1,700 five-star reviews, with several commenters noting that they have made this cake for decades. It’s easy to make any old time, but special enough to serve on your holiday dessert table.
“I first cut this recipe out of a magazine in the 70s from an ad for Bacardi rum,” says one Allrecipes member. “I’ve made it every Christmas since.”
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
Chef Mo.
How gorgeous would these Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies look on your holiday cookie tray? Plus, the recipe only has four ingredients, so it’s a breeze to make!
“I’ve made this with so many flavors,” says one reviewer. “It’s a perfect cookie recipe!”
Easy Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies
These classic peanut butter cookies make it on to Christmas cookie plates every year, and this is the easiest version out there. Make sure to flatten with a fork in a cross hatch pattern for the classic peanut butter cookie look.
Pumpkin Crunch Cake
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
This pumpkin crunch cake tastes great, and is super easy to make with a can of pumpkin and box of cake mix. Perfect for seasonal gatherings and holidays.
“Seriously amazing,” said an Allrecipes reviewer. “The first time I made this I made it as directed. The second time I added some chocolate chips and toffee pieces. Both times it was incredible. Honestly it’s my favorite cake EVER!”
Cranberry Bars
These yummy cranberry bars are tart and sweet at the same time. They’re easy to put together, and your home will smell wonderful while they’re baking!
“I have been making this as part of my Christmas tins for years,” shared one reviewer. “This is the one recipe that is most requested.”
Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
This dump cake recipe takes advantage of not one, but three store-bought items for an easy homemade dessert. Canned cinnamon rolls are topped with ready-made cream cheese frosting and a box of cinnamon swirl coffee cake mix tops it off all in one 9- by 13-inch pan. Make sure to cover every bit of the cake mix is covered with butter—this provides the moisture it needs to cook properly.
“I have made this several times and can never tire of the smiles on my kiddos and their friends faces when the smell the aromas from the oven,” raves one reviewer.
Chocolate Flan Cake
This is a holiday showstopper. It’s layered, sweet, and caramely—the perfect ending to a special meal.
“What a beautiful and delicious dessert,” shares one Allrecipes member. “Everyone will think you slaved away in the kitchen when, in reality, this recipe is fairly simple. I will make it again and again!”
Sweet Potato Dump Cake
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
This easy sweet potato dump cake is like sweet potato casserole, the dessert version. Buttery and sweet, with a crunchy top, you’ll be the hit of every seasonal potluck you’re invited to.
Easy Apple Crisp
I eat so much apple crisp around the holidays, and while it can be a little tedious to make, it’s just so delicious. This version cuts down the prep time significantly, making it easier to make—and enjoy—all season long.
“Deeee-LISH! Even a non-baker can do this,” shares one reviewer. “I would cut and prep the apples after prepping the cake/sugar mixture just so the apples don’t sit so long. The house smelled so good while this was baking. We could hardly wait for the timer to go off.”
Pumpkin Cobbler
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
This pumpkin cobbler recipe is the one everyone asks me to make and bring starting in October and continuing through the holiday season. A perfectly spiced pumpkin filling is topped with an easy cobbler topping made with a box of yellow cake mix and melted butter. It’s simple and delicious! Top with vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream.
“I love it and so does my whole family,” shares one Allrecipes reviewer. “People who don’t like pumpkin or cobbler, loved it and asked for it at holidays. I usually double it according to her notes.”
Outrageously Buttery Crumb Cake
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Allrecipes member, Rgilmore212, who shared this recipe says that this is the best crumb cake they ever tasted. “The cake is so moist, and there is a ton of buttery crumb topping to die for,” says Rgilmore212. “It’s my aunt’s recipe from the 1970’s (hence the 1 pound of butter) and therefore of uttermost decadence, but oh so delicious! I’ve made this recipe so many times, with so many compliments.”
Pumpkin Crumb Cake
Rita
“This pumpkin crumb cake is three layers of deliciousness,” says Allrecipes member Debbie, who shared this recipe. “With a cakey crust, a smooth pumpkin custard filling, and a buttery walnut topping, it’s sure to be a favorite around Thanksgiving! This recipe was given to me by a friend and has always been a hit with my family.”
Chocolate Cookie Bars
“I had a box of white cake mix that was nearing its best by date, so this was the perfect recipe to use it up,” says one reviewer. “I’m quite happy with the way this turned out. Super simple to make, a firm crust that cut well into bars/squares, had nice eye appeal, and tasted good! The best way to describe its texture is fudgy/chocolaty. Thanks for sharing your recipe, we enjoyed it.”
Cake Mix Bar Cookies
These cookie bars have always been a part of my family’s cookie plates. Once you try a piece, you’ll have to stop yourself from enjoying the whole tray! Feel free to leave the frosting off for easier transportation—it will be just as sweet and tasty.
Death By Chocolate Trifle
Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling: Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling: Natalie Ghazali
Talk about a show-stopping centerpiece. This incredible trifle will steal the show of your holiday feast, and no one will ever guess it’s made with a box of cake mix.
“Big hit for Christmas desert,” shares one reviewer. “I made two brownie mix batches, but didn’t use all of the second batch. Also substituted crushed Oreos and chocolate chips for the toffee candy and used about 12 oz. of Cool Whip. It looked very pretty in my big glass salad bowl.”
Too Much Chocolate Cake
Allrecipes
Nearly 10,000 home cooks have made this chocolatey, rich dessert that would be a tasty end to any special holiday meal.
“I made it for New Year’s Eve for family and a couple of friends and all liked it,” says one Allrecipes member. “The friend asked for a piece to take so he could have for breakfast!”
Better Than Sex Cake
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Maybe just call this cake “decadent” when serving to family! It’s made with rich chocolate cake, caramel, toffee, and whipped topping… need I say more?
“I’ve made this twice and it hasn’t lasted longer than 24 hours each time,” says one reviewer. “I’m making it again for Thanksgiving!”
Monster Cookies
No holiday cookie tray is complete with this monster cookie—aka the “everything” cookie. Add your favorite mix-ins like toffee bits, white chocolate chips, or dried cranberries.
“I love these! It is fun to try different cake mixes and to throw in whatever I have on hand,” says an Allrecipes member. “They are always a big hit.”
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