If you’re craving something bright, tangy, and utterly melt-in-your-mouth delightful, this Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is going to become your new go-to indulgence. These cookies bring together the zesty brightness of lemon with the lush creaminess of cream cheese and buttery softness, all wrapped up in a quick and easy cookie dough that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just looking for a sweet treat to whip up without fuss, this recipe turns simple ingredients into something truly special and utterly addictive.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients may seem straightforward, but each one plays a crucial role in making your Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe shine. The butter and cream cheese create that wonderfully soft, creamy base, while the lemon cake mix and lemon extract bring vibrant citrus flavor and a tender crumb. Powdered sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness and a pretty finishing touch.
- Butter, 1/2 cup (softened): Provides rich moisture and helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Cream cheese, 8 ounces (softened): Adds a luxurious creaminess that makes these cookies extra soft and flavorful.
- Egg, 1: Acts as a binder to hold all the ingredients together while keeping the cookies light.
- Lemon flavor extract, 1/2 teaspoon: Boosts the lemony brightness without overpowering the other flavors.
- Lemon cake mix, 1 box: The heart of the cookie, delivering both the citrus taste and the perfect sweetness.
- Powdered sugar, 1/2 cup (plus extra for dusting): For rolling and dusting, lending a delicate sweetness and beautiful finish.
How to Make Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Base Ingredients
Start by beating the softened butter, cream cheese, egg, and lemon extract until the mixture is smooth and silky. This step is essential because it ensures your cookies will be soft and tender rather than dense. Using an electric mixer makes this quick and creates a perfectly blended base.
Step 2: Incorporate the Lemon Cake Mix
Next, add the lemon cake mix to the cream cheese mixture. Stir everything together until fully combined. The cake mix introduces sweetness, moisture, and that unmistakable lemon zing, turning basic dough into something with a delicate crumb and irresistible flavor.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Cover the cookie dough and pop it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Chilling helps firm up the dough, making it easier to handle and shaping the cookies so they bake up nicely without spreading too much.
Step 4: Preheat Your Oven
While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F. This ensures your oven will be ready when your dough is perfectly chilled, which is crucial to achieving those perfectly set cookies with soft centers.
Step 5: Shape and Sugar Coat the Cookies
Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls. Then, give each ball a generous roll in powdered sugar—this creates that classic, crackly, sweet exterior that’s so inviting. Place each ball on cookie sheets coated with non-stick spray, leaving enough space between them to allow for slight spreading while baking.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake your cookies for 12 to 13 minutes until they’re set but still soft. After removing from the oven, let them cool on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This cooling process helps them firm up just the right amount without losing their tender bite. For an extra touch, dust with more powdered sugar before serving.
How to Serve Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar is a simple but elegant finish that enhances the cookie’s lemon flavor and creates a pretty, snow-kissed look. You can also add a thin drizzle of lemon glaze or white chocolate for a fancier touch if you’re feeling creative and want to impress guests.
Side Dishes
These lemon cookies pair beautifully with a cup of hot tea or freshly brewed coffee. Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to turn a humble cookie into a dessert worthy of celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking these cookies in a pretty jar or packaging them as a gift tied with pastel-colored ribbon for showers or birthdays. Arranging them on a bright citrus-colored plate with fresh lemon slices adds a charming visual and amplifies the zesty theme.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, store leftover Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay moist and flavorful for up to 3 days, making them perfect for packing into lunchboxes or enjoying as a quick afternoon treat.
Freezing
If you want to save your cookies for longer, they freeze beautifully. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Frozen, they will keep their freshness for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To enjoy frozen cookies, thaw them at room temperature or warm them gently in the microwave for a few seconds to bring back that fresh baked softness. Avoid overheating to maintain that melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor cake mix?
Absolutely! While lemon cake mix is the star in this recipe, experimenting with other flavors like white cake or even strawberry can produce delicious variations, though you might want to adjust the extract accordingly.
Is the cream cheese essential?
The cream cheese gives these cookies their iconic softness and richness. Skipping it will change the texture, making the cookies less tender and creamy, so it’s highly recommended to include it for the best results.
Can these cookies be made dairy-free?
Yes, by substituting dairy-free butter and cream cheese alternatives, you can adapt the recipe for dairy-free diets. Just make sure these substitutes are softened like their dairy counterparts for smooth mixing.
Why do I need to chill the cookie dough?
Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking, ensuring they stay thick and chewy rather than thin and crispy. It also improves flavor melding and overall texture.
How do I store these cookies to keep them soft?
Storing them in an airtight container at room temperature is best. You can include a slice of bread in the container to help maintain moisture if you want to keep them soft for a few days longer.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe brings such bright, cheerful flavor and irresistible softness that it quickly becomes a household favorite. Simple to make with accessible ingredients, these cookies deliver big on taste and charm. I can’t wait for you to try them and watch how quickly they disappear!
Print
Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 47 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Lemon Cake Mix Cookies are a delightful twist on traditional cookies, combining the tangy flavor of lemon with the soft, rich texture of cream cheese and butter. Featuring a quick preparation and baking time, these cookies are coated in powdered sugar for an extra sweet finish, making them a perfect treat for any citrus lover or a refreshing dessert option.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon flavor extract
- 1 box lemon cake mix
For Coating
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, egg, and lemon flavor extract with an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Cake Mix: Incorporate the lemon cake mix into the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly until the dough is well blended and uniform in texture.
- Chill Dough: Cover the cookie dough bowl and place it in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes; this step helps the dough firm up for easier handling.
- Preheat Oven: While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking.
- Shape Cookies: After chilling, roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in powdered sugar to coat, then place them on cookie sheets sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Ensure there is at least 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 13 minutes until they are set but still soft to the touch.
- Cool: Remove the cookies and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Optionally, dust with additional powdered sugar if desired for extra sweetness and presentation.
Notes
- Make sure the butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother dough.
- Do not overbake the cookies; they should be soft and slightly set when removed from the oven.
- Chilling the dough is essential for shaping and helps prevent spreading during baking.
- For a stronger lemon flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon zest along with the lemon extract.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.
