Description
These Lemon Cake Mix Cookies are a quick and delightful treat combining the tangy freshness of lemon with the simplicity of cake mix. Perfectly soft and subtly sweet, these cookies are coated in powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and citrusy zest, making them an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 15.25 ounce box lemon cake mix
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (just under the 1/2 cup line)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
Coating
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs. Add in 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest from the lemon. Stir gently until the mixture is just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Chill Dough (Optional): If time allows, refrigerate the dough for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to handle since the dough is sticky. This step is optional but recommended for better dough handling.
- Scoop and Coat: Using a medium cookie scoop or spoon, portion out dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet. Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar to create a light coating that adds sweetness and a slightly crisp exterior.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes. Watch carefully to ensure they set but do not brown, maintaining a tender texture and bright lemon flavor.
- Cool Down: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes after baking, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely for best texture.
Notes
- Refrigerating the dough helps manage sticky dough and results in neater cookie shapes.
- Do not overbake the cookies; they should be set but not browned to preserve their soft texture.
- Using freshly grated lemon zest and juice enhances the natural lemon flavor compared to extracts.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days for optimal freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
