This easy lemon crinkle cookies with cake mix recipe is quick to make with 5 ingredients, they taste incredibly refreshing, and are the perfect spring and summertime cookies!

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I get my boyfriend Tyler to try all my recipes when I develop them (he's my toughest critic but I really appreciate the honest feedback because it helps me make sure all my recipes are perfect for you!).
I was a bit worried about how he'd feel with this cookie recipe because he's not the biggest fan of desserts with fruit. I gave him half a cookie to try already assuming he probably won't want it all.
He took a small bite and I was pretty confident it wasn't going to be something he was into so I stuck my hand out to take the rest of the cookie back but to my suprise he really liked it and ate the rest (and a few more later that day!)
The first time I ever brought them to Easter, my family was so intrigued by their bright yellow colour!
When they asked what type they were I had them all take a bite and their eyes popped at how lemony and delicious they were!!
Now I try to make them every year because they get everyone excited about the spring, sunshine, warmer weather and seasonal summer flavours!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Quick & Easy: With just 5 simple ingredients, these cookies come together simply and quickly.
- Flavourful: They're literally bursting with a refreshing lemon flavour...they remind me of a lemon drop martini that my boyfriend's parents love to make.
- Texture: These might be the chewiest cookies I've ever eaten. They're incredibly soft and chewy! The texture alone will have you reaching for seconds and thirds!
- Festive: The perfect Easter cookie for the springtime and refreshing sweet summer treat at bbqs and picnics!
Recipe Ingredients
- Boxed Lemon Cake Mix
- Eggs
- Vegetable Oil
- Lemon Zest
- Powdered Sugar
See the recipe card below for the ingredient measurements.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 - Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2 - Mix: In a large bowl, combine and mix the lemon cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and lemon zest and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes (this will help make the dough thick, less sticky, and easier to work with).
Step 3 - Bake: Add the powdered sugar to a separate bowl and scoop and drop 1-inch balls of cookie dough into the bowl. Fully coat them and then roll them into a ball-shape using the palms of your hands (any cracks in the dough is normal). Place the cookies 1 inch apart on the baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes.
Kitchen Tools
- Mixing Bowls: One for making the cookie dough and another for tossing the cookie dough balls into powdered sugar.
- Microplane: For zesting the lemon. Alternatively, the side with the small holes of a box cheese grater will also work for this.
- Measuring Spoons and Cups: For measuring the ingredients.
- Electric Hand Mixer: For mixing the cookie batter.
- Baking Sheets: For baking the cookies.
Storing the Cookies
Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. These cookies can also be stored in the fridge for up to 3 months.
Helpful Tips
- Chill the dough. I know it's tempting to get them right in the oven but chilling the dough will make it easier to shape the cookies and make them less sticky to handle.
- Use a cookie scoop. It's not necessary, but it can be helpful for plopping the dough balls into the powdered sugar.
- Dust your hands. Lightly dusting your hands with powdered sugar before rolling your cookies into dough balls will help keep the dough from sticking to your hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it will be sticky but chilling it will reduce the stickiness and make it easier to work with.
I recommend it because otherwise it will be very sticky and difficult to work with.
This tends to happen if they aren't fully coated in powdered sugar before baking.
More Lemon Desserts
If lemon is your go-to favourite spring or summertime dessert flavour, then you'll love these lemon poppyseed muffins with cake mix and this scrumptious iced lemon pound cake loaf too!
More Cake Mix Desserts
If you landed on these cookies, it's probably because you were looking for a shortcut for making lemon crinkle cookies!
I totally get it, because I love shortcut recipes and that's why I like to use boxed cake mix in a lot of my desserts!
If you're looking for more crinkle cookies with cake mix, try these red velvet crinkle cookies with cake mix, chocolate cake mix crinkle cookies, and gingerbread crinkle cookies with cake mix too!
Some other spring and Easter desserts with cake mix you may enjoy is this frosted carrot cake with cake mix, frosted carrot cake mix cookies, and chocolate Easter trifle with mini eggs too!
Some other popular cake mix desserts you may enjoy all-year round is this blueberry peach cobbler with cake mix or cake mix chocolate chip cookie bars!
Print📖 Recipe
Easy Lemon Crinkle Cookies with Cake Mix Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These chewy lemon crinkle cookies are bright and refreshing, bursting with lemon, and perfect for spring!
Ingredients
- Boxed Lemon Cake Mix, 1 box (15.25 oz)
- Eggs, 2
- Vegetable Oil, ⅓ cup
- Lemon Zest, from 1 lemon
- Powdered Sugar, ½ cup
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix: In a large bowl, combine and mix the lemon cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and lemon zest and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes (this will help make the dough thick, less sticky, and easier to work with).
-
Bake: Add the powdered sugar to a separate bowl and scoop and drop 1-inch balls of cookie dough into the bowl. Fully coat them and then roll them into a ball-shape using the palms of your hands (any cracks in the dough is normal). Place the cookies 1 inch apart on the baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes.
Notes
Chilling the cookie batter will make it less sticky and easier to work with.
A cookie scoop will help you shape the cookie dough balls.
When you're forming the cookie dough balls, it's normal for some cracks to form.
Nutrition facts are for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for any errors. We have tested the recipe for accuracy, but your results may vary. Please note that this is not medical or nutrition advice. Seek advice from a licensed professional if you need advice. We are not liable for any damages caused by your use of this content.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: dessert, cookies
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: american
Andrea says
I never knew a cookie could taste so refreshing until I made these! I love how lemony they are!! Let me know what you think 🙂