These Lemon Cake Mix Cookies are bursting with lemon flavor and are so easy to make! These cookies are perfect for a summer dessert or an after-school snack.
If you love cake mix cookies, then you are going to enjoy these soft and chewy lemon cookies with frosting. I don’t know about you, but I think the frosting really takes these tasty treats over the top.
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Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
Cookies are believed to date back to at least the 1700s. They are thought to have originated in Persia and then spread to Europe and America. The word “cookie” is derived from the Dutch word “koekje,” which means “little cake.”
Cake mix cookies are a popular type of cookie that is made using a cake mix as the base. These cookies are quick and easy to make and are always budget-friendly.
Why I Love This Recipe
The aroma of fresh baked goods always has a way of getting your attention, and these lemon cake mix cookies are no exception. The flavor is intense with just enough sweetness that you can’t help but keep going back for another bite!
- Easy to make
- Fun to make
- Always a hit at parties
- Perfect for picky eaters
- Fills the house with a delicious aroma
If you love lemon-flavored desserts, next time give these Strawberry Lemonade Crinkle Cookies a try.
Ingredients
This recipe only requires a few simple ingredients that are easy to find at your local grocery store. You may already have most of these ingredients on hand, which can help you save a trip to the grocery store.
- Lemonade Cake Mix
- eggs
- cooking oil – I used vegetable oil
- powdered sugar
- milk
- Large Pearl Sprinkles
- Pink Gel Food Coloring
Substitutions
Cake Mix: If you can’t find lemonade cake mix, you can use lemon instead.
Milk: Out of milk? Heavy cream or half and half will work instead.
Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
You need a handful of kitchen tools to help you make these soft and chewy cookies. Gather these tools and get ready to enjoy some soft lemon-flavored cookies.
- Large bowl
- Hand mixer
- Cookie sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop
- Wire cooling rack
- Small bowl
- Piping bag with a round tip
How to Make Lemon Cake Mix Cookies with Frosting
These Lemon cake mix cookies come together quickly. Follow the instructions below and you will have delicious and festive cookies in no time at all.
Step 1: Mix together cake mix, eggs, and oil
In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, 2 eggs, and 1/3 cup of oil.
Step 2: Chill the cookie dough
Refrigerate cake mix batter for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Preheat the oven and prepare a cookie sheet
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 4: Shape the cookie dough into balls
Scoop out 1 cookie scoop of cake mix and roll it into a smooth ball in your hands.
Step 5: Place the dough on the cookie sheet
Place the cookie dough ball on the prepared cookie sheet and press down with your palm or the bottom of a cup.
Step 6: Repeat until all cookies are shaped
Repeat with the rest of the cookie dough, placing the balls about two inches apart.
Step 7: Bake the cookies
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes.
Step 8: Allow the cookies to cool
Remove the cookies and allow them to cool for 5 minutes on the pan before transferring them from the cookie sheet to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 9: Make the frosting
While the cookies are cooling, make the frosting by combining the powdered sugar and milk together in a small mixing bowl with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
Step 10: Color the frosting
Add 3-5 drops of pink gel food coloring into the frosting and stir until the color is consistent throughout.
Step 11: Frost the cookies
Place pink icing into a piping bag with a round tip and pipe 5 “petals” starting on the outside, moving to the inside with less pressure, and pulling up fast.
Step 12: Add a sprinkle to the center
Place a large pearl sprinkle into the center of the petals and enjoy!
Variations / Options / Add-Ins
If you want to change up this easy cookie recipe, here are a few ideas:
Cake Mix: Add a different flavor cake mix – try strawberry, orange, or even Funfetti!
Frosting: Use a different color frosting – green would be perfect for Christmas cookies, red would be great for Valentine’s Day, or blue would be perfect for baby shower cookies.
Sprinkles: Get creative with the sprinkles – try different colors or shapes to match the occasion.
Tips
For perfect cookies every time, follow these tips:
- Chill the dough: Be sure to chill the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes. This will help prevent the cookies from spreading too much and losing their shape.
- Bake on parchment paper: Be sure to line your cookie sheet with parchment paper – this will help prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
- Use a cookie scoop: For evenly sized cookies, use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough. This will also help prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- Do not overbake: These cookies are best when they are soft and chewy, so be sure not to overbake them. Remove them from the oven when they are just set and allow them to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- You can garnish these cookies with a little grated lemon zest for an extra zing.
- Add more lemon flavor by mixing in a teaspoon of lemon extract to your frosting.
- Instead of frosting, you can also top these cookies with a drizzle of lemon glaze.
- A half cup of white chocolate chips folded into the cookie dough would make a great taste addition to these cookies.
FAQs
Do you have questions about these Lemon Cake Mix Cookies? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions about this lemon cookie recipe.
Once the cookies are cooled and frosted, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Yes! These cookies can be frozen unfrosted or frosted. To freeze them unfrosted, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Yes, you can add fresh lemon juice to the cake mix. This will give the cookies a more intense lemon flavor.
More Cookies Recipes
If you like cookies, give these recipes a try:
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📋 Recipe
Lemon Cake Mix Cookies With Frosting
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces Lemonade Cake Mix
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup cooking oil
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Large Pearl Sprinkles
- Pink Gel Food Coloring
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine lemonade cake mix, 2 eggs and 1/3 cup of oil.
- Refrigerate cake mix batter for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop out 1 cookie scoop of cake mix and roll it into a smooth ball in your hands.
- Place cookie dough ball on the prepared cookie sheet and press down with your palm or the bottom of a cup. Repeat with the rest of the cookie dough, placing cookie dough balls about two inches apart.
- Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Remove the cookies and allow them to cool for 5 minutes on the pan before transferring them from the cookie sheet to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies are cooling, make the frosting by combining the powdered sugar and milk together in a small mixing bowl with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add 3-5 drops of pink gel food coloring into the frosting and stir until the color is consistent throughout.
- Place pink icing into a piping bag with a round tip and pipe 5 “petals” starting on the outside, moving to the inside with less pressure and pulling up fast.
- Place a large pearl sprinkle into the center of the petals and enjoy!
Nutrition
Need to run to the store for a few ingredients first? Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can find it when you’re ready to cook!
