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!
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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
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.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Marsha
Yum, Yum, Yum! I was craving a little something sweet and remembered I had your recipe saved on my phone. LOVE lemon! I used 1 Tablespoon store bought Lemon Juice cause that all I had on hand. They still turned out great! Mine cooked exactly 11 minutes. TU!!!!!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So happy you remembered you had these lemon cake mix cookies saved! Thanks for the review!
Debbie
I am trying to find a committee recipe to use with just yellow cake mix. Can I add lemon extract to this and use the mix I have?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
You could try, the lemon flavor may not be as strong.
Lisa
I always use white cake mix and add lemon zest.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Yum! Fantastic combination for the lemon cake mix cookies!
Jackie
worked really well! needed to get rid of my lemon box mix and these cookies were a huge hit!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you loved the lemon cake mix cookies!
Deidre Neel
These cookies are easy to make and delicious.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Thank you for making the lemon cake mix cookies!
Lori Kwisnek
Easy to make. Delicious. I did make some simple additions. I added goat whey protein powder, some tumeric, shredded unsweetened coconut, and one pack of powdered lemon flavored Koolaid.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Glad you could make them how you like!
Kelley
Just like my Granny’s. Delicious. They only last a very little while.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
That’s how you know they are a winner, they disappear fast! So glad you love the lemon cake mix cookies.
Theresa
Delicious!! I made these and they turned out great! My cake mix was only 13.25 oz so I used my food scale and added a little flour and about 3/4 teaspoon of baking powder to make up the difference. Also used avocado oil, came out delicious!!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Great! So glad the lemon cake mix cookies worked out!
Joyce Baxter
I’ve made these before, they are very quick
Easy and delicious. I’m making them again tomorrow.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Thank you for the review Joyce!
Barbara
Easy to make. Grandkids and pawpaw love them!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Thank you for the review of the lemon cake mix cookies! So glad that your family loves them!
Anh
Would these be suitable for decorating with royal icing?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Hi, you could try but they may be too soft/puffy. Our Glazed Lemon Cookies or Lemon Sugar Cookies may work better.
Sara
Excellent! Everyone loved them. I made them for my grandkids to sell at their lemonade stand.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
oh! Love that they were used at a lemonade stand, so cute and themed!
Judi Kimball
Can you use lemon Extract instead.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Instead of fresh lemon juice? Extract is way more concentrated so I would not add too much. Let us know if you try!