These soft, citrusy, lemon cake mix cookies are topped with a sweet lemon glaze that takes the flavor to an all new level! I've been making them for decades and they're still a favorite.
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Lemon Cookies Made With a Cake Mix
These cake cookies from cake mix are a Nana favorite - fast to make, showy, and full of yummy lemon flavor!
If you’ve ever wanted cookies made with cake mix, or wondered how to whip up 3 ingredient cake mix cookies in a snap, this is the recipe for you.
The Amazing Cookie Using Cake Mix Discovery
Papa has a sweet tooth… and when it comes to lemon, he just can’t resist (neither can nana!). One afternoon, years ago, I needed something quick to take to a kid’s activity and to go along with Papa's coffee. That was in the day before the internet, so I opened my recipe box and pulled out a recipe for cake mix cookies that a friend had given me.
Instead of pulling out all the usual cookie ingredients, I just grabbed a cake mix from the pantry and two more ingredients (eggs/oil). Oh my goodness- what a great deal that turned out to be! The cookies were made in just a few minutes.
Even after decades of baking and dozens of cookie recipes, fast Lemon Cake Mix Cookies are still one of our favorite treats. They’re soft, fluffy, and have just the right amount of lemon tang.
And that lemon glaze? Papa says it’s it “tops it off perfectly”. I say the glaze is worth the little bit of extra effort so don’t skip it!
Supplies for 3 Ingredient Cake Mix Cookies
Here are a few quick notes about the supplies you will need to make this sweet treat!
For the cookies, just 3 ingredients:
- 1 box lemon cake mix
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- Parchment paper (optional- but I always use it as it’s so helpful)
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh squeezed lemon juice or purchased lemon juice)
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl for cookies
- Mixing spoon or spatula
- Cookie sheet
- Cookie scoop (optional)
- Cooling rack
- Small bowl for glaze
Steps to Make Cake Mix Cookies
- Go ahead and preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Into the large mixing bowl, pour the lemon cake mix, eggs, and oil. Mix till well blended.
- Place parchment paper on the cookie sheet.
- Make the dough into 1 inch balls by hand or using a cookie scoop. Place on the cookie sheet about 1.5 inches apart
- Bake for about 10 minutes. The edges of the cookies will just begin to brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes, then carefully move them to a cooling rack.
- While the cookies cool, make the glaze. Place the powdered sugar in the small mixing bowl. Add about 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice and stir. Continue to add lemon juice until the glaze drips off the spoon easily.
- Put the cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet with sides to catch the extra glaze that will run off.
- When the cookies are completely cooled, drizzle about 1 Tablespoon of glaze over each cookie. Let the cookies sit on the rack until the glaze is set.
That’s it! Quick, easy, and delicious.
If you'd like to watch the full length video and follow along making the recipe, here is the link: Fast Cake Mix Cookies with Lemon Glaze Full Length Video.
Recipe Tips
These tips can help making cake mix cookies even easier!
- Don’t over bake- these cookies taste best when they're soft and tender.
- While glaze is wet, sprinkle with some lemon zest.
- If the dough feels sticky, chill it for awhile (like 15-20 minutes). The dough can be in the refrigerator overnight as well if covered.
- Use parchment paper for moving the cookies easily (I highly recommend it!).
- If you get the glaze too runny, just add a bit more powdered sugar.
- Add the glaze after the cookies are completely cool. It sets up better.
Recipe Variations-
Here are a few variations you’ll enjoy trying with this recipe:
- Try various cake mix flavors and add ins- here are a few ideas...
- Try chocolate cake mix cookies with peanut butter chips
- Make red velvet cake cookies (or fun red cake cookies) for Valentine’s or Christmas holiday fun.
- Use a brownie mix for fudgy brownie cake mix cookies
- Make devils food cake cookies for a deep chocolate flavor
- Try funfetti cake mix cookies for a birthday option.
- Add white chocolate chips, M&Ms, or sprinkles (on top while the glaze is wet)
- Swap the lemon glaze for another frosting flavor like vanilla or cream cheese (home made or from a can)
FAQ
Absolutely! This recipe works with almost any flavor of cake mix. I’ve experimented with several and they are all good. It is fun to add in chips too.
I don’t. If the dough is really sticky, chilling the dough for 15-30 minutes does make it easier to handle.
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. They freeze well too, up to 3 months or so (but they won't last that long).
More Easy Recipes for Kids
Looking for more easy recipes to try? Here are a few of our favorites for your budding chefs:
- Easy Lemonade Recipe with Lemons (keeping the theme!)
- Home Made Fruit Popsicles 4 Ways
- Delicious Home Made Granola Bars
- Yummy Caramel Apple Slices on a Stick
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Papas Fast Lemon Cake Mix Cookies with Lemon Glaze!
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl for cookies link; Large mixing bowl for cookies
- Mixing spoon or spatula links: Mixing spoon or spatula
- Cookie Sheet Link: Cookie sheet
- Cookie scoop (optional) Link: Cookie scoop
- Cooling rack Link: Cooling rack
- Small bowl for glaze Link: Small bowl for glaze
Ingredients
For lemon cake mix cookies
- 1 box lemon cake mix you can use other cake mix flavors
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
For lemon glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 Tablespoons lemon juice (fresh squeezed lemon juice or purchased lemon juice)
- Parchment paper (optional) This is optional but I always use it.
Instructions
- Go ahead and preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Into the large mixing bowl, pour the lemon cake mix, eggs, and oil. Mix till well blended.
- Place parchment paper on the cookie sheet.
- Make the dough into 1 inch balls by hand or using a cookie scoop. Place on the cookie sheet about 1.5 inches apart
- Bake for about 10 minutes. The edges of the cookies will just begin to brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes, then carefully move them to a cooling rack.
- While the cookies cool, make the glaze. Place the powdered sugar in the small mixing bowl. Add about 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice and stir. Continue to add lemon juice until the glaze drips off the spoon easily.
- Put the cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet with sides to catch the extra glaze that will run off.
- When the cookies are completely cooled, drizzle about 1 Tablespoon of glaze over each cookie. Let the cookies sit on the rack until the glaze is set.
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