Easy Chocolate Cake Mix Puppy Cookies: Fun Baking Adventures with Kids & The Smart Cookie Cookbook

Creating lasting memories in the kitchen with your children doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, when it comes to baking with the little ones, my philosophy has always been to keep things simple, enjoyable, and focused on the shared experience rather than intricate techniques or a long list of ingredients. The goal is to teach fundamental skills, encourage creativity, and most importantly, have a fantastic time together – especially considering that most kids, regardless of age, have an attention span that typically clocks in around ten minutes. Making the most of those precious minutes is key to a successful, stress-free baking session.

This past summer provided the perfect inspiration for a delightful new baking project. We had the wonderful privilege of dog-sitting for my sister’s beloved canine companion, Sadie, for two whole months. My sister was off teaching in Cambodia, and it proved to be a far more economical and loving option to bring Sadie to our home in Georgia than to board her in Texas. Initially, I harbored some reservations about how our own dog, Max, would adapt to another furry friend in the house. Max, a creature of habit, had always enjoyed being the sole canine king of our castle. However, I was confident that with a little patience and a lot of love, we would all find our rhythm.

To our pleasant surprise, Max absolutely adored having a playmate. His energy levels soared, and he reveled in the constant companionship. Sadie, with her calm and regal demeanor, graciously tolerated Max’s boundless enthusiasm and quickly established herself as the gentle ruler of our home. Max, quite content to be second in command, was more than happy to oblige. When Sadie finally returned home a few weeks ago, I truly believe Max experienced a genuine sense of withdrawal. The house felt quieter, his play sessions less boisterous, and a certain canine camaraderie was sorely missed. It was clear that Sadie had left an indelible paw print on our hearts and home, becoming a cherished member of our temporary family.

Discovering the Magic of “Smart Cookie” by Christie Johnstone

Given our recent canine-inspired adventures, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect when we received our copy of Christie Johnstone’s fantastic new cookbook, Smart Cookie. Christie is the incredibly talented and creative genius behind the beloved blog, Love From The Oven. Her approach to baking, especially with children, perfectly aligns with my own: keep it easy, keep it fun, and make it memorable.

What truly sets “Smart Cookie” apart is its brilliant focus entirely on the decorating aspect of cookies. Instead of starting from scratch with complex baking processes, Christie encourages you to begin with a store-bought cookie (or a simple homemade one, like our cake mix version) and then unleash your creativity with decorating. This approach is revolutionary for busy parents and impatient kids alike. It removes the pressure of perfect baking and puts all the emphasis on the artistic and imaginative fun of turning a plain cookie into a work of edible art. The book is an absolute treasure trove of ideas, covering every imaginable occasion: holidays, seasonal themes, birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers, and so much more. Just a quick flip through its pages will have you dreaming up reasons to host parties for every single cookie design featured!

Crafting Adorable Chocolate Cake Mix Puppy Cookies

Inspired by our sweet Sadie and the brilliant ideas in “Smart Cookie,” my daughter Grace and I immediately knew we had to make the adorable Puppy Cookies. We decided to create our own giant Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies as the base, which are incredibly simple to whip up, and then set about assembling our canine creations. The process was wonderfully engaging for Grace, from mixing the batter to carefully placing each edible feature. The beauty of these cookies lies in their simplicity and the creative freedom they offer. We used Nutter Butter cookies for ears, Mini Nilla Wafers for the snouts, candy eyeballs for that soulful puppy gaze, and red Sixlets (or M&Ms) for their little noses. The transformation from a plain chocolate cookie to an irresistible puppy face was truly magical.

A newfound favorite tool in our baking arsenal quickly became Edible Markers. We had never before experimented with drawing directly on cookies (or any food, for that matter!), but the possibilities are endless. These markers allowed us to easily draw the mouths on the Nilla Wafers, giving each puppy its own unique expression. I can already picture a future filled with cute, personalized messages on Nilla wafers tucked into lunch bags: “I love you,” “I’m proud of you,” “You’re awesome” – what a delightful surprise treat that would be for the kids! The edible markers truly elevate simple cookies into canvases for heartfelt messages and imaginative designs, making them perfect for any occasion where a personal touch is appreciated.

In less than ten minutes, our charming chocolate puppy cookies were happily arranged on a plate, patiently awaiting the return of the other kids from school. The entire process, from mixing the cake mix batter to adding the final candy nose, was a testament to how fun and rewarding baking with kids can be when you keep the steps straightforward and the focus on creative play. It’s not just about the delicious treat at the end, but the shared laughter and the sense of accomplishment that comes from creating something together.

Just look at those puppy dog eyes! Every cookie had its own personality, making them almost too cute to eat (almost!).

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Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 box Chocolate Cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 6 tablespoons melted butter

Additional supplies for Puppy Cookies

• 1/4 chocolate candy melts or chocolate almond bark
• 12 Nutter Butter Cookies
• 12 Mini Nilla Wafers
• 24 Candy Eyeballs (2 per cookie)
• 12 red sixlets or m&ms
• Edible marker

Instructions

1. Using a hand mixer or a wooden spoon, combine all ingredients in a large bowl making sure all the cake mix is blended in well.
2. Spoon batter, using a Large Cookie Scoop on a parchment lined cookie sheet, at least 3 inches apart.
3. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 10-11 minutes. Remove form oven and let rest on baking tray for 5 minutes before removing to cooling racks to cool completely.

To make Puppy Cookies

1. Melt chocolate according to package instructions.
2. Using the edible marker, draw the mouth on each of the nilla wafers.
3. Separate the outer cookies of the 12 Nutter Butters, remove filling if desired.
4. Construct your Puppies. Using the melted chocolate as glue, Place the Nilla wafers first, centered on the lower half of the chocolate cookie. Next place the Nutter Butter cookies as ears, place your eyes where they belong and then add your sixlet or m&m as a nose.

Notes

Recipe source ChocolateChocolateandmore.com. These simple Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies provide a fantastic base for any decoration, especially our adorable puppy designs!

Puppy Cookie decorating inspiration from the cookbook [Smart Cookie by Christie Johnstone, a must-have for easy and fun cookie decorating with kids.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram. We love seeing your creative baking endeavors!

Beyond Puppy Cookies: More Fun Kid-Friendly Kitchen Adventures

If you loved making these Chocolate Cake Mix Puppy Cookies and are looking for more engaging and easy baking projects to enjoy with your children, you’re in luck! The kitchen is a fantastic place to create, learn, and bond, and there are countless simple recipes that promise fun without the fuss. Here are some more kid-friendly recipes that will keep those little hands busy and happy:

Devils Food Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Mug Cake

Midnight Mint Chocolate Cupcakes

Sweet and Salty Crackers

Easy Cheese Biscuits

I was sent a free copy of Smart Cookie to review, but was genuinely planning on purchasing a copy regardless. All opinions expressed in this article are entirely my own and reflect my honest experience and enthusiasm for the book and for easy, fun baking with kids.