Cookie Mix-Ins

So, it's hot and humid and you have no interest in putting in the effort of cooking from scratch, but the day is winding down and you can't rid yourself of that cookie craving. Don't worry, it happens to the best of us.

There are times when we insist on creating soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies from scratch, and there are others when we simply give into temptation and grab a box of Duncan Hines. This article is for the next of those times.

Yes, it is a little Sandra Lee, "Semi-Homemade"-esque, but there is nothing wrong with grabbing a box of cookie mix and adding in some extras to give them more oomph.

That something special might come in the form of added toffee chips, or perhaps a crushed up candy bar, but the little changes make all the difference when a good cookie is all you crave.

Read on for our favorite ways to add on to the boxed cookie mixes come baking aisle cravings. These cookies all start with a regular box of Duncan Hines Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix.

What's your favorite trick for improving cookies? Tell us in the comments below!

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Chocolate Chunk and Almond Cookies

Added almonds and larger pieces of chocolate bring in extra elements of crunch here, but with some of the larger pieces of chocolate beginning to melt, you are still guaranteed the gooey cookie you crave.

Get the recipe

S'more Cookies

Add in some mini marshmallows, a few larger chunks of chocolate and some ground graham cracker and you'll get a take on this favorite campfire treat straight from your oven.

For a from-scratch recipe, click here.

Chocolate Toffee Cookies

Simply add in some toffee chips or chopped up Heath bar for a chewy, sweet cookie that all will love.

For a from-scratch recipe, click here.

Candy Bar Cookies

Crunch up some Twix, Kit Kats, Snickers or more and throw them into your cookie dough for a nice complement to the regular chocolate chips. Get creative with this one!

For a from-scratch recipe, click here.

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Dried Fruit Cookies

We love trail mix, so adding some dried fruit to a chocolate chip cookie mix seems like a given. Toss in Craisins, apricots or whatever other dried fruit you love. Also try dried coconut and nuts for an even more trail mix-like result.

For a from-scratch recipe, click here.

Photo courtesy of shutterstock images