Dessert

Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

ByGabriel Langdon December 5, 2025December 5, 2025

Introduction

Lemon Cake Mix Cookies are a delightful twist on traditional cookies, combining the bright, tangy flavor of lemon with a soft, creamy texture. These easy-to-make cookies are perfect for any occasion and come with a sweet glaze that adds the perfect finishing touch.

A white plate with a thin gold rim holds five soft, round lemon cookies that have a cracked surface dusted with powdered sugar, giving a light powdery white texture on top of the pale yellow cookies. Behind the cookies, two bright yellow lemon slices rest against them, adding a fresh citrus touch. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface with a white cloth partially visible underneath. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lemon cake mix
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
2 tablespoons butter (for glaze)
2 cups powdered sugar (for glaze)
2-3 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2: Soften the cream cheese and 1/2 cup of butter at room temperature.
Step 3: In a large bowl, mix the lemon cake mix, softened cream cheese, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined. The dough will be thick and sticky.
Step 4: Scoop about 1.5 tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. Roll each ball in 1/2 cup powdered sugar and place them on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Step 5: Bake for 9 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies are puffed and cracked but still soft. Allow cookies to cool completely before glazing.
Step 6: For the glaze, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan, then remove from heat. Whisk in 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk if you want to pipe the glaze. Use 3 tablespoons of milk if you prefer to dunk the cookies for full coverage.
Step 7: Drizzle or dip the cooled cookies in the glaze and let it set before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra lemon flavor, add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough or glaze.
Use different cake mix flavors for a new twist—try lime or orange for a citrus variation.
If the dough is too sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before rolling.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. If refrigerated, let cookies come to room temperature before glazing. Reheat briefly in a microwave for a soft texture.

How to Serve

A white plate with a gold rim holds five soft lemon cookies that are pale yellow with a slightly cracked surface, each coated lightly with powdered sugar, giving a delicate snowy texture on top. Behind the cookies, two bright yellow lemon slices lean against each other, adding a fresh, citrus touch to the scene. The plate rests on a white marbled surface with a white cloth napkin partly visible below it, creating a clean and inviting background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different frosting instead of the glaze?

Yes, you can substitute the glaze with cream cheese frosting or a simple lemon icing for variety.

Do these cookies need to be refrigerated?

Because the dough contains cream cheese, it’s best to store the baked cookies in the refrigerator if kept for more than a day to maintain freshness and food safety.