These 3-ingredient lemon cake mix cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with fresh flavor. Making lemon cookies from cake mix is ridiculously easy!
I love making cookies from cake mix. It's such a simple hack to guarantee perfect cookies every time.
Tender, addictive cookies don't have to be complicated.
How to make lemon cake mix cookies
Add the cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs to a bowl. Use an electric hand mixer to mix until combined. Add in any mix-ins (e.g. lemon zest, white chocolate chips).
I roll the cookie dough into 2" balls and then bake them at 350F for 12 minutes.
I used Betty Crocker super moist lemon cake mix for these cookies.
Tips to make the best lemon cake mix cookies
- Chill the batter so it's easier to work with and the cookies are puffier.
- Add some fresh lemon zest in to really kick up the flavor.
- I do like my cookies slightly under-baked. Cake mix cookies tend to taste best and stay soft when they're slightly under-baked, in my opinion.
- You can add white chocolate chips, nuts, or any other mix-ins to customize these to make your perfect lemon cookie!
Have you ever made cake mix cookies?
Let me know in the comments below if you'll make these easy lemon cake mix cookies!
Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25 ounce) box lemon cake mix (I used Betty Crocker)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (e.g. canola)
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Add the lemon cake mix, oil, and eggs, and any mix-ins to a large mixing bowl. Using an electric hand mixer, mix until well combined.
- Chill for 30 minutes. I recommend this step since the dough is sticky and you will also get slightly puffier cookies with chilling, but you don't have to chill them.
- Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat non-stick mat.
- Make 2" balls and place them on the baking sheet at least 2" apart since they do spread. Bake for 11-13 minutes until they're set.
- Let the lemon cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer them to a cooling rack. Once cooled, store cookies in an airtight container.
Notes
- I made fairly large cookies (dough was rolled into 2" balls), so if you make them smaller, you can for sure make more than 12 cookies.
- You can use the larger-sized boxes of cake mix (18.25 ounces) as well - it'll make about 16 2" cookies (keep everything else in the recipe the same). The batter will be less sticky and the cookies will be more puffy - especially if you chill the dough first.
You may also like my red velvet cake mix cookies or my funfetti cake mix cookie recipe.
Monika says
My package of lemon box cake is 468 grams. Will that work just the same?
Natasha says
I think it's fairly close (I just Googled it) so should probably be fine.
Sue says
Everyone loves these cookies! Nice lemon flavor. So simple to make! I rolled the dough balls in powdered sugar before baking. Delicious!
Natasha says
Wonderful!! That makes me happy. Thanks for letting me know!!
Jessica says
Making these for a second time and thought I should post a review. I added the zest of 1 lemon (I believe they are Meyer Lemons, but I honestly do not know), 1 cup of white chocolate chips, and rolled in powdered sugar before I baked. They are just like Panera’s lemon drop cookies (which I am obsessed with).. My friend and her daughter said these are actually better than Panera, such a complement!
Natasha says
That is a great compliment, thank you so much!! 🙂
Elizabeth-Samone says
This cookie recipe worked out reallyyyyy well and the cookies turned out almost perfect. I did also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract because I didnt want such a strong lemon flavor. Next time I try these, I might consider adding sprinkles into it for a pop of color.
Natasha says
That's awesome!! I appreciate you commenting to let me know. Love the sprinkles idea... I can't resist them! 😉
Carol says
These cookies turned out good. They are similar to a recipe I enjoyed when I was a child, except that recipe called for whipped topping. Now that I'm older, I like cookies that are less sweet and not as puffy (more crunchy.) Does anyone have ideas of how I can tweak this recipe a little? Thank you.
Natasha says
So glad you liked them! 🙂 Let's see if any readers chime in to answer your question since I don't have any good tips, unfortunately!
Sharon says
I have been making cake box cookies for many years and I absolutely love these lemon ones. I use a few drops of lemon vitality essential oils for a nice lemony taste!
Natasha says
So glad you liked them, Sharon! Adding the oil is a great idea.
Lisa White says
I baked these cookies last night. I came back to look at the recipe again and read Anne's review and that perfectly describes my experience making these also. The worst cookies I have ever made. I won't be using this recipe again.
Natasha says
Sorry to hear that!
Philco says
Just made them - they turned out great ! So easy. I dipped them in powdered sugar before baking though...
Natasha says
I am so happy to hear that!
Anne says
I have baked for 50 years these cookies that I baked I followed the directions to the T they were absolutely the worst thing I have ever made I don't know what happened but they did not turn out I would not make this recipe again
Natasha says
Sorry to hear that, Anne! I wonder what went wrong... I used a typical formula that's generally used for cake mix cookies... odd!
Cynthia A Lazenby says
Love cake mix cookies..... Cherry chip ones were the 1st cookies I learned to bake 50 yrs ago... Look forward to trying lemon ones...
Natasha says
I hope you like them, Cynthia! 🙂 Cherry chip sounds delicious!