Beach Cookies

Create an ocean-inspired treat with this easy recipe for beach cookies featuring cream cheese frosting, teddy grahams, and candy decorations!

If ever there was a cookie to capture the essence of summer fun at the beach, this Beach Cookies recipe is it.

These delicious cake mix cookies are inspired by lazy days spent lounging in the sand and playing in the waves.

Frosted with tangy blue cream cheese frosting, and decorated with teddy grahams and candy, they’re perfect for any gathering—especially if you’re dreaming of summer beach days! These work great as birthday cookies in place of cake or cupcakes!

With these bright and cheery beach themed cookies that look more like works of art than baking projects, all your friends will be asking for seconds…and maybe even thirds!

Why You Will Love these Summery Cake Mix Cookies

• These cake mix cookies have a soft and chewy texture.
• Topped with a tangy cream cheese cookie frosting.
• Colourful and fun!
• Uses only a few pantry ingredients and easy to find treats
• Less measuring than traditional cookies.
• Freezer friendly.
• Such a special treat for birthday parties and fun for any pool party!
• Perfect birthday activity – let guests decorate their own beach cookies with a cookie decorating activity!
• The easiest cookie recipe ever.

Beach Cookie Variations

• To make these even easier, use store- bought sugar cookie dough! It’s a great shortcut and everyone loves sugar cookies!
• Swap out the decorations as needed for other sea-worthy cookies or candy.
• We used cream cheese frosting, but you could use a simple vanilla buttercream instead.
• For gluten-free treats, simply use a gluten-free cake mix. Make sure your decorations are gluten-free too!

Decoration Ideas for Beach Cookies

• Teddy grahams and goldfish cookies. You could also use Swedish fish!
• Graham cracker crumbs for sand
• Peach rings and cherry rings as water floaties
• White nonpareils of varying sizes
• Rainbow belts as floaties and beach towels. You could also use other candy strips or airheads, and cut them to size.
• Drink umbrellas/palm trees

Tips for Making the BEST Cake Mix Cookies

• Use room temperature eggs.
• Do not follow the instructions on the box, or use the called for ingredients. Use only the ingredients listed here.
• Mix the dough until just combined, do not over-mix.
• If the dough is sticky, chill in the fridge for about 30 mins to an hour before forming the dough balls.
• Bake time will vary from oven to oven. I found just a little over 10 minutes was best but it may be different for you.
• Don’t allow the cookies to brown or they won’t be soft. The edges should just be starting to brown and the tops set when they are done.

How to Store Leftover Frosted Cookies

Often when baking frosted cookies, you may find that you have more than you can eat right away. The good news is that there are ways to store them so that they remain as delicious and fresh as possible. Here are some tips for keeping your frosted cookies in top condition:

• Wrap individual cookies in cling film or store in an airtight container.
• Frosted cookies must be stored in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese frosting.
• To avoid condensation, make sure that the cookies have cooled to room temperature before being placed in an airtight container.
• It’s best to eat the cookies within two days of decorating them.
• If storing for longer than two days, you can freeze the cookies. Simply place them in an airtight container and store in the freezer. It may help to freeze the cookies in a single layer, uncovered for an hour before storing properly.
• To serve from frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and enjoy!

About the Ingredients for Beach Cookies

Cake mix – Any 15 oz box of cake mix will do for these cake mix cookies.

Oil – You can also substitute with the same amount of melted butter.

Eggs – Your eggs should be room temperature before preparing the batter.

Butter – For the frosting you will need room temperature, softened butter. I typically use salted butter, although unsalted is best if you have it on hand.

Cream cheese – Use only regular cream cheese for the best flavour and texture. Avoid flavoured or light cream cheese.

Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract will give you the best flavour, however artificial vanilla works too!

Powdered sugar – For a smooth frosting use only powdered sugar.

Decorations – Graham cracker crumbs, teddy grahams, goldish cookies, rainbow belts, gummy rings, etc…

Looking for More Fun Party Recipes?

Check out more of my favourite party ready ideas!

These adorable Under the Sea Party Treats are perfect for ocean themed birthday parties.

This recipe makes the most gorgeous galaxy cupcakes with a surprise inside! They’re perfect for any outer space themed party.

Stun any unicorn lover with this gorgeous and impressive unicorn cake with rainbow layers! This cake is deceptively simple for any level of baker to make, it is perfect for any birthday party – no matter how small or large!

Surprise your child with an unforgettable birthday cake that they’ll love! This easy paw patrol birthday cake is simply paw-some!

How to Make Beach Cookies

Yields: 24 Cookies | Prep time: 10 Minutes | Cook time: 12 Minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 (15.25-ounce) box cake mix
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, room temperature

For the Frosting:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
• turquoise gel food colouring

For Decorating:

• Teddy grahams
• Goldfish cookies
• Graham cracker crumbs
• Peach rings
• Cherry rings
• White nonpareils
• Rainbow belts
• Drink umbrellas/palm trees

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Stir together the cake mix, oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl until combined. Chill the dough for 15 minutes. (Image 1)

Scoop 1 ½ tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. (Image 2)

Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies are set, they should not be browned. (Image 3)

Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack. Repeat with remaining dough.

Once the cookies are cooled, prepare the frosting in a large bowl. First, beat together the butter and cream cheese until light and creamy.

Slowly mix in the vanilla extract and powdered sugar until well incorporated. Beat for 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy.

Add a little gel food colouring at a time, mixing the frosting well, until desired colour is achieved.

Spread the frosting over the cooled cookies, and decorate as desired with beach scenes. (Image 4)