Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
Lemon Cake Mix Cookies are a super easy lemon cookie recipe that is bursting with lemon flavor! Lemon cake mix keeps these giant cookies super soft along with lending the lemon flavoring.
While it hasn't warmed up here in Minnesota yet, we have had a few 60-70 degree days that had it feeling like spring. Whenever the weather gives us a taste of the new season, I start craving all of the spring flavors, especially lemon! These Cake Mix Lemon Cookies are the first spring thing I've made this year and oh they're SO good!
The lemon cake mix gives the cookies lemon flavor and, like my other cake mix cookies, they are so chewy and delicious.
Looking for more cake mix cookies? Check out my Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies, Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies, Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies, and Double Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies!
Looking for more lemon recipes? Check out my Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins, Strawberry Lemon Scones, and Lemon Poke Cake!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy - this recipe is a simple one bowl cookie recipe that is quick and easy to whip up.
- Lemony flavor - these cookies are FULL of lemon flavor and are so yummy!
- Crowd Favorite - these lemon cookies are ALWAYS a hit and are great to share with neighbors and friends.
Ingredients
Lemon Cake Mix - this is what gives the cookies a yummy lemon flavor.
Butter - I typically use unsalted butter when baking, but have also used salted butter in this recipe with good results. These also help keep the cookies thicker and chewy as opposed to using oil.
Sugar
Eggs - two whole eggs and one egg yolk
Vanilla Extract - a hint of vanilla flavor complements the lemon flavor perfectly.
Flour - unbleached all-purpose flour is what I always use when baking cookies.
Salt, Baking Soda, and Baking Powder
Cream Cheese - these lemon cookies have a cream cheese frosting on top.
Powdered Sugar - powdered sugar is mixed with the cream cheese for a cream cheese frosting.
Milk - this helps thin out the frosting.
Variations
Different Frosting - instead of cream cheese frosting, you can use a buttercream frosting, or drizzle with white chocolate.
Almond Extract - if you want a lemon almond flavor, use almond extract instead of vanilla! Or do half almond and half vanilla.
Add-Ins - I don't add anything to my lemon cookies, but you could toss in some white chocolate chips, if you'd like!
Step by Step Instructions
Photo 1. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until well combined, about 2 minutes.
Photo 2. Add the eggs and egg yolk and beat until combined.
Photo 3. Add the vanilla, and beat to combine.
Photo 4. Beat in the baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Photo 5. Add the flour and cake mix, beating until combined.
Photo 6. Form the dough into dough balls, using a ⅓ cup measuring cup. These cookies are BIG! Place 3 cookies on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Photo 7. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 9-10 minutes. The edges should be golden. Let them cool for 10 minutes on baking sheet and then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Photo 8. In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and salt until combined.
Photo 9. Add in the powdered sugar and beat to combine. Then add the milk until desired consistency is achieved.
Photo 10. Frost each cooled cookie. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
How to Tell When Cookies are Done: these cookies might seem a little gooey in the middle, but they will set up after cooling. The edges should be slightly golden and I always have good luck baking them 9-10 minutes at 375 degrees F.
Storage: store these cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator, as they have cream cheese frosting. They also freeze well. Keep them in an airtight container like a Ziploc baggie or Tupperware for up to 4 months.
Start with Cold Butter: this makes the dough easy to work with and prevents the cookies from becoming too flat.
Recipe FAQs
Cake mix can add flavor and keep the cookies super soft and tender.
A mixer makes this recipe a LOT easier, because it starts with cold butter. A stand mixer allows for the butter to be whipped with the sugar and get it mixed evenly.
Other Cookie Recipes to Consider
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #greensnchocolate.
Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter cut into 1" chunks
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 box lemon cake mix
- 1 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 4 tablespoon butter at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until slightly creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, scraping down the edges between each addition.
- Add the vanilla, and beat to combine.
- Add the baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and beat to combine.
- Add the cake mix and flour, beating until combined.
- Spray a ⅓ cup measuring cup with cooking spray (this keeps the dough from sticking) and form the dough into ⅓ cup balls.
- Place 3 dough balls on each baking sheet (you will need to do this in two batches).
- Bake for 9-10 minutes in preheated oven. The edges should be slightly golden and the middle set. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack to cool COMPLETELY.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a separate bowl, add the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and salt and beat until well combined.
- Add the powdered sugar, and beat until well combined.
- Add milk, starting with 1 tablespoon and beat until combined. Add second tablespoon of milk as needed.
- Spread on cooled cookies. Enjoy!
