The history behind this recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies Made with Betty Crocker Cake Mix adds a special layer of nostalgia, especially since it was found on the back of a card that once belonged to someone who attended Rolling Hills Baptist Church. The only Rolling Hills Baptist Church I can find at this address is in Fort Worth, Texas. The card is a small blue slip from a “Friend Day” event on September 28, 1969, where the participant committed to being one of the 1,400 people attending Sunday School that day. It reads:
“Count on me for FRIEND DAY. Unless providentially hindered I will be 1 of 1400 in Sunday School at ROLLING HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH, 4800 So. Riverside Dr. FRIEND DAY, SEPT. 28, 1969.”
Name: Address: Dept. or Class: I am a friend of:
This card, tucked away with a simple, yet timeless cookie recipe on its reverse side, tells a story of friendship, community, and shared recipes—an endearing slice of life from the past. This Betty Crocker cake mix cookie recipe surfaced in various publications on the West Coast in January 1976, highlighting how cake mix became a versatile ingredient beyond its intended use.
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Chocolate Chip Cookies Made With Betty Crocker Cake Mix

Food History
Betty Crocker, an iconic brand launched by General Mills in 1921, became a household name in America, synonymous with home baking and easy-to-follow recipes. By the 1970s, Betty Crocker had expanded its product line to include cake mixes, which quickly became popular due to their convenience and consistent results. The cake mixes were often used creatively, just like in this recipe, where a standard cake mix is transformed into delectable chocolate chip cookies.
Cake mix cookies became a trend in the mid-1970s, providing a shortcut for busy homemakers who wanted to bake something sweet with minimal effort. The idea of using a cake mix for cookies opened up a world of possibilities, allowing people to experiment with different flavors and add-ins.
Timeline
- 1921: Betty Crocker brand is launched by General Mills.
- 1947: Betty Crocker introduces its first cake mix, a chocolate flavor.
- 1960s: Cake mixes gain widespread popularity in American households.
- 1976: This recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies using Betty Crocker cake mix surfaces in various publications across the western United States.

Recipe Discussion
This recipe is a wonderful example of the creativity and convenience that defined 1970s home baking. By starting with a Betty Crocker cake mix, the cookies come together quickly and easily, with the cake mix providing a soft, tender texture that’s unique compared to traditional cookie recipes. The addition of semisweet chocolate chips and chopped nuts adds richness and crunch, making these cookies a satisfying treat.
The versatility of the recipe is also worth noting. Whether you use yellow cake mix, Devil’s food, or sour cream chocolate fudge, each variety of cake mix will impart its own unique flavor, allowing for endless variations based on what you have on hand or what you’re in the mood for.
Preparation Tips
- Softening the Shortening: Make sure the shortening is at room temperature to ensure it blends smoothly with the eggs and cake mix.
- Mixing the Batter: Start by beating the eggs, vanilla, shortening, and half of the cake mix until light and fluffy. This step helps to aerate the batter, making the cookies lighter.
- Baking: Keep a close eye on the cookies during the baking process. They should be soft in the centers when done, which means they will set perfectly once cooled.
Recommended Kitchen Items
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- Non-Stick Baking Sheets: Ensure your cookies bake evenly without sticking.
- Cooling Racks: A cooling rack allows the cookies to cool evenly without becoming soggy on the bottom.
- Hand Mixer: This recipe requires thorough mixing of ingredients, and a reliable hand mixer can make the process much easier and faster.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Milk Pairing: Serve these cookies with a cold glass of milk for a timeless treat.
- Ice Cream Sandwiches: Use these cookies as the base for homemade ice cream sandwiches—just add a scoop of your favorite ice cream between two cookies.
- Coffee Companion: Enjoy a cookie (or two) alongside your morning coffee for a sweet start to the day.
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Sharing Sweet Memories
Finding this recipe written on the back of a church event card is a sweet reminder of the simplicity and warmth of sharing food with friends and loved ones. It’s more than just a recipe—it’s a piece of history, a connection to community and the joy of gathering together over something as delightful as homemade cookies. As you bake these cookies, take a moment to appreciate the generations of home cooks who have passed down their favorite recipes, often on the back of whatever paper was handy at the time.
Vintage Recipe Box 90
There are lots of fun recipes to read in the box this recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies Made With Betty Crocker Cake Mix was with. Click here to view all of Vintage Recipe Box 90 recipes.

Chocolate Chip Cookies Made With Betty Crocker Cake Mix Recipe
Chocolate Chip Cookies Made With Betty Crocker Cake Mix
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2/3 cup shortening
- 1 package Betty Crocker yellow, devils food. white butter recipe yellow, sour cream chocolate fudge or chocolate fudge supreme cake mix
- 1 package (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped nuts
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°. Beat eggs, vanilla, shortening and about half of the cake mix (dry) until light and fluffy.
- Stir in remaining cake mix, the chocolate chips and nuts.
- Drop dough by teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes. (Cookies will be soft in centers when done.)
- Cool slightly before removing from baking sheet.
