Easy Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

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Lemon Cake Mix Cookies are perfect for bake sales, baby showers, or an easy afternoon snack. With a simple box of cake mix and a few pantry staples, you can whip up a baker’s dozen in less than 30 minutes!

titled: Lemon Cake Mix Cookies


 

Lemon Cake Mix Cookies

Enjoy the vibrant flavor of your favorite lemon cake mix in a batch of crinkle cookies instead!

Not only are they ready in a fraction of the time, but lemon cookies from cake mix stay fresh longer and can be nibbled on throughout the day.

If you love this recipe for lemon cookies with cake mix, try my chocolate version too!

Each cookie is topped with melted almond bark and loaded with rice cereal for extra crunch.

Or, put any extra boxes to good use with a variety of fruity dump cakes that are just as simple to prepare.

ingredient to make lemon cookies from cake mix

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • Lemon Cake Mix – Pay close attention to the package size, as this recipe for lemon cake mix cookies is designed for Betty Crocker box mix.

    Yellow cake mix will work in a pinch, but you’ll need to use more lemon extract.
  • Powdered Sugar – Granulated won’t work here, but you can use it to make powdered sugar!

    Use a ratio of 1 tablespoon cornstarch for every 1 cup of granulated sugar.

    Combine and blend in a food processor or high-speed blender for several minutes until soft and powdery.
  • Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed really does taste better! Use this in the icing, or stick with water for a more subtle flavor.
lemon cookie batter in cookie scoop

Prep Ahead

  • Zest and juice lemons
  • Measure out ingredients
  • Preheat oven

Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Lemon Cookies From Cake Mix

  • Don’t overbake!

Since lemon crinkle cookies with cake mix will continue to bake as they cool, be sure to pull the pan just before they look done.

The center will be set but still soft, and the edges will be slightly browned.

  • Whisk the glaze carefully.

Start with 2 tablespoons of juice and see how it turns out.

If you want it to be a bit thinner, add in a third tablespoon a few drops at a time until it reaches the right consistency.

  • Tip for easy cleanup:

Place an additional sheet of parchment or foil under the cooling racks to catch any drips when you glaze the lemon cake mix cookies.

  • Need a bigger batch?

Easily double or triple the amounts and load up your baking sheets!

Lemon cookies with cake mix turn out best when the dough is baked right after mixing, so keep that in mind if you don’t have a double oven.

lemon cookies cooling on wire rack

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

Lemon Cake Cookies FAQ

What’s the best lemon cake mix for crinkle cookies?

I used Betty Crocker, but any kind will work just fine as long as it is the same package size.

Can I leave off the glaze?

You sure can! The overall citrus flavor won’t be as strong, but lemon cookies from cake mix will still taste delicious.

As an alternative, dust a little powdered sugar over the tops for extra sweetness. It also helps accentuate all of those lovely crinkles.

How can I make these extra lemony?

Between the cake mix and glaze, lemon cake cookies are bursting with plenty of citrus flavor!

You can use lemon extract instead of vanilla when making lemon crinkle cookies with cake mix.

And if the glaze isn’t bold enough, add a little lemon extract there too!

Storage and Freezing

Lemon cake cookies are perfectly fine at room temperature and will stay tender longer that way.

Store them in an airtight container, adding parchment or wax paper between layers as needed.

Or, freeze lemon cake mix cookies on baking sheets before transferring to a storage bag. They should keep for up to 3 months.

glazed lemon cookies with lemon zest

Enjoy!
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stacked lemon cookies with glaze

stack of lemon cake mix cookies

Easy Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Donna Elick
Lemon Cake Mix Cookies are perfect for bake sales, baby showers, or an easy afternoon snack. Whip up a baker’s dozen in less than 30 minutes!
5 stars from 4 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Method Oven
Servings 13 cookies

Ingredients
 

  • 1 box lemon cake mix, I used Betty Crocker
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup canola oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or lemon extract
  • 2 cups powdered/confectioners sugar
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice or water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions
 

  • Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Mix lemon cake mix, eggs, oil, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl until combined (option to use a hand mixer or fork).
  • Use a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop to create cookie dough balls and place them about 2” apart on the baking sheet.
  • Bake for 9-10 minutes.
  • When the center is set or the edges start to brown, remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet.
  • While the cookies cool, make the lemon glaze by combining powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and vanilla.
  • Add extra lemon juice if needed, but add the third tablespoon slowly and stir while you add so it doesn’t get too thin.
  • Transfer cookies to a cooling rack and drizzle or spoon lemon glaze over each cookie (you may want to put parchment paper or foil under cookies so the glaze is easy to clean up).
  • Garnish with lemon zest (optional) and let cool completely.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 209cal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 301mg | Sugar: 17g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 1mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
titled collage for lemon cake mix cookies

Originally published August 2021, updated and republished January 2024

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10 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Lemon cookies are a nice treat on a summer day. The citrus flavor matches the summer weather perfectly.

  2. 5 stars
    I was looking to try and recreate a crumble cookie and these are PERFECT. I loved this recipe.. quick and easy!

  3. I tried this recipe the other day! Very easy to make and delicious! I will definitely be making these again!

  4. 5 stars
    Wow, these lemon cake mix cookies were a breeze to make! Followed Donna’s recipe from The Slow Roasted Italian website and couldn’t be happier. They’re so delicious!

  5. 5 stars
    Tried Donna’s lemon cake mix cookies and they were amazing! Added a splash of fresh lemon juice to the glaze for extra zing. So easy and delicious!

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