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Cake mix cookies are one of my specialities, so you can trust that when you follow my lemon cake mix cookie recipe, you’re going to be obsessed with the results!
Sometimes cake mix cookies can come out too dry, flat or just plain flavorless. Don’t stress though, because I’ve been making cake mix cookies for years in tons of flavors, so I’m your go-to friend for perfect lemon cake mix cookie perfection.
Keep reading because I’m sharing my tried and true ingredients for the best lemon flavor, and my easy process that results in moist cookies that never come out too flat or dry.
If you’re a fan of lemon bars or lemon sugar cookies, you’re going to love these lemon cake mix cookies!
Hubby is a tough cookie critic and he said these are in the top 3 cookies he’s ever had!! They were so easy to mix up. I baked them for 12 minutes…I think they needed one more minute but hubby said the texture was perfect at 12 minutes. I’m going to make 2 boxes of cake mix next time!
-Karrie
Why You’ll Love These Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
- Easy to make. These are the easiest cookies because they start with a box mix.
- Bursting with lemon flavor. If you love all things lemon, these will be your favorite! They are packed with the perfect taste of lemon balanced with just the right amount of sweetness.
What You’ll Need for Lemon Cake Cookies
See the recipe card below for detailed measurements.
- Lemon Cake Mix – The main ingredient in this easy cookie recipe is a box of lemon cake mix. Trust me, this cookie hack makes the most delicious cookies!
- Vegetable oil
- Eggs
- Lemon juice – I recommend juicing a fresh lemon.
- Lemon zest
- Powdered sugar
How to Make Lemon Cookies from Cake Mix
These easy lemon cookies are seriously addictive, so be sure to save this recipe for the next time you want to make them! Your family will love them as a special treat, and I could see these being a star at bake sales!
Combine ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the boxed cake mix, vegetable oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and room-temperature eggs. Stir together with a spatula until fully combined, the dough will be sticky!
Chill the dough. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then place in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour to chill. This will make the dough easier to handle since it’s so sticky.
Prep for baking. After 30 minutes, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Roll the cookies into balls. Using a small cookie dough scoop, or small ice cream scoop, scoop out about 2 tablespoons (50g) of dough from the mixing bowl and roll into a ball.
Coat the cookies. Add ⅓ cup powdered sugar to a bowl. One at a time, place the balls in the powdered sugar and coat them really well. I like to roll mine very thoroughly in the powdered sugar because some of it melts while baking.
Bake. Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on a lined baking sheet and bake for 10 -12 minutes, or until the cookies are set. The cookies will look puffy, but should not be browning. Let the cookies cool on the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer the cookies to a cooling rack.
Cool and serve. Serve once they cool. Store the leftover cookies in an airtight container.
Tips for the Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
- Use fresh lemons. I highly recommend using fresh lemons for the lemon juice to give your cookies the best, freshest flavor.
- Chill. It is important to chill the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before you try to form the cookie dough balls.
- Make uniform sized cookies. Use a cookie scoop to form uniform balls.
- Use parchment paper. Link your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent brown bottoms on your cookies.
Substitutions & Variations
- Make it zestier. If you really love an intense lemon flavor, use more fresh lemon zest. Add 1-2 more teaspoons of lemon zest to your batter.
- Lemon Lime. If you love the combo of lemon and lime together, try adding lime zest in place of the lemon zest.
- Chocolate chips. Add 1 & 1/2 cups white chocolate chips.
- Cookie sandwich. Use 2 cookies and make ice cream sandwiches!
- Lemon glaze. Drizzle the cookies with a lemon glaze.
How to Make Lemon Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice, or more as needed
Zest of ½ lemon
Combine all ingredients that drizzle or dip each cookie into the glaze. Allow the glaze to set.
FAQs for Making Lemon Cookies with Cake Mix
Yes. You can use one teaspoon of lemon extract instead of lemon juice.
Yes, you can use melted butter instead of vegetable oil. Use the same amount.
Refrigerating the cookie dough will help produce cookies that are chewier and softer because they won’t spread as much.
Some cookie doughs, like this lemon dough, are very sticky. Refrigerating the dough allows the flour to fully hydrate and helps to make the cookie dough firmer.
Storing Lemon Cake Box Cookies
Store your cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature.
Another reason I love these lemon cake mix cookies is because they freeze well! Just allow them to cool completely, then add to a freezer-safe bag separated by parchment paper. They will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready for a delicious lemon dessert, simply thaw them on the counter for about 2 hours.
More Lemon Recipes
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Lemon Cake Box Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box lemon cake mix, 15.25 oz
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the boxed cake mix, vegetable oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and room-temperature eggs. Stir together with a spatula until fully combined, the dough will be sticky!
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then place in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour to chill. This will make the dough easier to handle since it’s so sticky.
- After 30 minutes, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Using a small cookie dough scoop, or small ice cream scoop, scoop out about 2 tablespoons (50g) of dough from the mixing bowl and roll into a ball.
- Add ⅓ cup powdered sugar to a bowl. One at a time, place the balls in the powdered sugar and coat them really well. I like to roll mine very thoroughly in the powdered sugar because some of it melts while baking. Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on a lined baking sheet and bake for 10 -12 minutes, or until the cookies are set. The cookies will look puffy, but should not be browning. Let the cookies cool on the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer the cookies to a cooling rack.
- Serve once they cool. Store the leftover cookies in an airtight container.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclosure
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
Thank you for this recipe!! They were delicious and I will definitely be making them again!!
CAN’T WAIT TO TRY THESE
Hubby is a tough cookie critic and he said these are in the top 3 cookies he’s ever had!! They were so easy to mix up. I baked them for 12 minutes…I think they needed one more minute but hubby said the texture was perfect at 12 minutes. I’m going to make 2 boxes of cake mix next time!