Description
Delightfully soft and tangy Lemon Cake Mix Cookies made with a creamy blend of lemon cake mix, cream cheese, and butter. These easy-to-make cookies are rolled in powdered sugar for a sweet crust and finished with a luscious lemon glaze that adds the perfect finishing touch. Perfect for a refreshing treat or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 box lemon cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Glaze
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix the Sticky Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the lemon cake mix, softened cream cheese, softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until the ingredients are fully incorporated. The dough will be thick and sticky, which is expected for this recipe.
- Scoop and Roll: Using a medium cookie scoop (approximately 1½ tablespoons), scoop out dough portions. Roll each portion into balls, then generously roll each ball in powdered sugar to coat thoroughly. This helps create the signature crackled look once baked.
- Bake: Place the coated dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them to allow for slight spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 9–10 minutes until the cookies are puffed and cracked on top but still soft in the center. Avoid overbaking to retain their chewy texture. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely before glazing.
- Whisk the Glaze: Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Whisk the melted butter together with 1 cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk. Use 2 tablespoons milk if you plan to pipe the glaze or 3 tablespoons if you want to dip the cookies.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the cookies are fully cooled, either drizzle the lemon glaze over them or dip the cookies into the glaze for full coverage. Allow the glaze to set before serving, providing a sweet finishing touch with a bright lemon flavor.
Notes
- Do not overbake the cookies; they should remain soft and chewy inside.
- Ensure cream cheese and butter are softened to combine smoothly with the dry ingredients.
- Use room temperature egg to help the dough mix evenly.
- For a more intense lemon flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough or glaze.
- The glaze consistency can be adjusted with additional milk for thicker or thinner application.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: lemon cake mix cookies, lemon cookies, soft lemon cookies, cream cheese cookies, easy lemon dessert, lemon glaze cookies
