Easy lemon cake mix cookies made with just 5 simple ingredients. These delicious Spring cookies are bursting with fresh lemon flavor!
Other lemon cookie recipes I can’t get enough of include these lemon sugar cookies, glazed lemon cookies and my lemon crinkle cookie recipe!
Table of Contents
Easiest Lemon Cookie
Spring is here, which means I want all things light and lemony! First up on my baking list were these lemon cookies made with cake mix. Next, I will be adding some lemon zest to my favorite meringue cookie recipe!
I also can’t wait to make my lemon brownies and lemon muddy buddies. And for warm spring days when I want something chilled, this recipe for lemon meringue pie or lemon icebox pie recipe are the best!
These cookies are bursting with lemon flavor. The base is a lemon cake mix and then I added in lemon juice and zest in the batter. They are so pretty too. It’s like a chocolate crinkle cookie in lemon form.
Only 5 Ingredients
Honestly, these are my FAVORITE cake mix cookie to date! They are seriously so simple to make and only take 5 ingredients. They’re the perfect cookie for the beginner baker.
- Box of lemon cake mix
- Vegetable oil
- Eggs
- Lemon
- Powdered sugar
How to Make Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
MIX. Mix together the cake mix, oil and eggs. Then add 1 Tablespoon each fresh lemon juice and zest and mix until combined. At this point, I recommend refrigerating the dough for about 15 to 20 minutes so that it’s easier to work with.
ROLL. Scoop the dough into balls, then roll into powdered sugar. I like to use a medium cookie scoop or spoon to ensure my cookies are evenly sized. Then place on a lined baking sheet.
BAKE. Bake at 350°F for about 9 to 11 minutes, or until the cookies are set (but not brown). Let cool on the pan for a few minutes, then move to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Baking Tips
- Refrigerate the dough so that it’s easier to work with.
- Use a cookie scoop and drop the dough directly into the powdered sugar, so it doesn’t stick to your hands.
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent brown bottoms.
- Add extra lemon zest if you prefer extra citrus flavor.
- When removing from the oven, the cookies should be set but not brown. They’ll continue baking as they cool.
Freezing
Another great thing about these fcookies is that they freeze really well! Once out of oven, let them cool completely. Then freeze the cookies on a baking sheet for about 30 minutes, or until hard. Add to a freezer container or bag and store in freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, remove cookies from the freezer and let thaw on counter for about 2 hours prior to serving.
Love lemon recipes? You will love love these lemon raspberry cookies, lemon blueberry cupcakes or lemon poke cake, too!
More Cake Mix Cookie Recipes
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Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
Video
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce box lemon cake mix
- ½ cup vegetable oil , I like to measure just under the 1/2 cup line
- 2 large eggs
- 1 lemon
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Combine the cake mix, oil and eggs in a large bowl. Add in 1 Tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and 1 Tablespoon of lemon zest.
- Stir together just until combined. If you have the time, refrigerate the dough for 15-20 minutes (it will make it a little easier to work with, since it is sticky).
- Then use a medium scoop or spoon to scoop the dough onto the prepared baking mat. Then roll dough balls into the powdered sugar.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the cookies are set. You don’t want them to brown. Allow to cool on the pan for a couple minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Cake Mix Cookies, Cookies, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, Fruit Desserts, Kid-Friendly, Nut-Free, Reader Favorites
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
can you use gluten free cake mix
I have not tried cake mix cookies with GF cake mix. If you try it, let me know how it turns out.
turned out out predict. thank you but gluten free on the menu. thank you
My husband loves these!
Hi I’m notoriously bad with overcooking. Are these supposed to be soft/doughy when done or crisp/cookie like? I don’t want to overcook but they are soft even after 14 minutes
These are a softer cookie. I take them out as soon as the edges, bottom are slightly golden.
Made these tonight and they were delicious. I didn’t chill them before but I know a trick. Coat your hands in powdered sugar scoop spoonful of dough into powdered hand and than roll in the sugar it won’t stick to your hands.
do we use water
No water, just the ingredients in the recipe card :)
These are great! I did chill the dough for 15 minutes, but then used a small cookie scoop and just plopped them quickly directly onto the baking sheet, making them resemble like balls. I sifted a nice amount of powder sugar over them and baked as directed. Voila! Very quick, no sticky mess and they looked beautiful like the picture. No flatness either!
So glad you enjoyed the lemon cookies! Thanks for your tips and review!
Everyone loves these cookies! I love how easy this recipe is!
Great! So glad they were a big hit :)
Thanks for recipe made them they were delicious
Glad to hear you enjoyed the cookies, Janice :)
I’ve been looking for a lemon cranberry cookie recipe but thought this one might work. I want to add fresh chopped cranberries. Is this dough sweet enough for the tart cranberries? None of the comments mention sweetness.
I haven’t tried, but that sounds like a great addition. Rolling them in powdered sugar will definitely give them that added sweetness :)
Made them. Love them. Will definitely make again! Something this easy shouldn’t taste so good!
The lemon cookies are great and easy to make. 5 stars.
So happy you loved them, Tanya!
Can you substitute oil to butter?
Yes you can sub melted butter :)
How many cookies are in a serving according to the nutrition info?
1 cookie :)
How many cookies does this make?
This makes 24 regular sized cookies. If you would like them smaller or bigger the amount of cookies will vary.
I tried these with a pack of Betty Crocker butter pecan cake mix and they turned out heavenly!! I chilled the batter in the freezer for about 5 mins before baking and they were pretty manageable to work with. Definitely a favourite!!
Mmm that sounds so delicious!
Yes! I made these cookies today. Whenever I make the Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme cake, I always add the lemon pudding mix. I decided to try the cookies, doing the same thing, for added lemon flavor. It worked, and the cookies are delicious!!
Yum, sounds delicious! I’ll have to give that a shot sometime :)
Do you just add a package of dry pudding mix to the dry cake mix? No extra liquid add ins?
In the oven right now, can’t wait to try them I LOVE LEMON!!
I hope you loved them, Tracy! :)
I am wondering if this could be made into bar cookies?
I haven’t tried, but I don’t see why not. You’ll just need to cook about 5-10 minutes longer (test with a toothpick). Let us know how it goes!
Amazing! Love these cookies! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
So glad you love them! Thanks for your comment and review :)
I love these cookies. I have made then often. My husband hates lemon but cannot stop eating these!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!! 😋😋😋
Love to hear that!! Thanks for your comment and review :)
I am making these cookies, but I don’t know how many cookies to 1 box cake mix?
This recipe makes about 24 cookies with 1 box cake mix (plus the other ingredients)