3-Ingredient Lemon Cake Mix Cookies

4.57 from 474 votes
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Soft and chewy lemon cake mix cookies are the ultimate easy lemon cookie recipe. The delicious cookies are bursting with lemon flavor and super easy to make with just 3 ingredients: a box of cake mix, eggs, and oil.

Lemon cake mix cookies stacked on top of each other with cookies cooling on a rack behind them.

Give these funfetti cake mix cookies, red velvet cake mix cookies, and strawberry cake mix cookies a try for more easy cake mix cookie recipes.

Easy Lemon Cake Mix Cookies

Lemon desserts are a favorite in our house. There is just something about that combination of sweetness and tartness that we can’t get enough of.

Lately, I have found myself craving delicious lemon cookies.

Luckily, I have found that having warm and tasty just-from-the-oven lemon cake cookies doesn’t have to be difficult. 

Cake mix lemon cookie with fresh lemons and lemon linen.

All you need is a box of lemon cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and this easy lemon cookie recipe!

Why you will love this recipe

  • Bright lemon flavor in every bite.
  • The easiest cookies you’ll ever make.
  • Only 3 simple ingredients.
  • Perfect for a special occasion, bake sale, or as a quick treat.

Ingredients

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Box of lemon cake mix, 2 eggs, confectioners sugar, and vegetable oil.
  • Lemon Cake Mix – I have used both Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines cake mixes with great results, but any 15.25-ounce boxed cake mix should be fine.
  • Vegetable Oil – Canola oil can be used as well.
  • Large Eggs
  • Confectioners Sugar – Optional, for rolling the dough balls in to make lemon crinkle cookies.

How to Make 3 Ingredient Lemon Cookies From Cake Mix

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below. 

Step 1: Mix cake mix, eggs, and oil in a large mixing bowl until combined.

Bowl of lemon cookie dough with rubber spatula.

Step 2: Chill dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Step 3: Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Optionally, place confectioners sugar in a small bowl and roll each dough ball in it. Place 2 inches apart on lined baking sheets.

Cookie dough balls coated in powdered sugar on lined baking sheet.

Step 4: Bake for 10-12 minutes in preheated oven. Cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then move to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Lemon cake cookies on wire rack.

Storage

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

What readers are saying

I made these at a Christmas cookie party for the first time. There were 15-20 different cookies made and these lemon cookies were picked the favorite of everyone! Also shared with family and friends who loved them as well, everyone wanted your recipe. Thank you for sharing! – Dawn

Lemon Cookie Tips

  • Use parchment paper. Non-stick cooking spray can cause cookies to over-spread so I recommend using ungreased cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.
  • Chill the dough. For best results, chill your cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. Chilling the dough works to prevent over-spreading in the oven.
  • Keep the same size. Use a medium cookie scoop to make the size of your cookies the same to ensure even baking.
  • Roll in sugar. Roll cookie dough balls in confectioners sugar (aka powdered sugar) before baking for a crinkle cookie effect.
Lemon cookies made from cake mix next to a wire cooling rack with more cookies.

Additions and Variations

These simple lemon cookies are incredible on their own, but sometimes it is fun to switch it up. Here are some simple ideas to try:

  • Lemon Zest: Mix in the zest from one lemon into the dough. This gives your cookies a pop of fresh lemon flavor.
  • Sweet Lemon Glaze: After the cookies cool down, mix 1 cup of confectioners sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice until it’s smooth. Use a spoon to drizzle this sweet glaze over the cookies.
  • White Chocolate Chips: Fold some white chocolate chips into the dough for added sweetness that pairs perfectly with the cookies’ tangy lemon flavor.
  • Lemon Extract: For cookies that pack an extra lemon punch, add up to 1 teaspoon of lemon extract to the dough to intensify the lemon flavor.

Feel free to play around with these ideas and see what you like best. You can even mix and match them to make your cookies just the way you want.

Stack of lemon crinkle cookies with wire rack and additional cookies in the background.

More Easy Lemon Recipes

If you enjoy these easy lemon cookies, I’m certain that you will love these easy recipes as well: 

Recipe
Easy Lemon Cookies
Recipe
4.57 from 474 votes

Lemon Cake Mix Cookies

Author: Jaclyn
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Soft and chewy lemon cake mix cookies are incredibly delicious and super easy to make with just 3 ingredients.

Ingredients
 

  • 15.25 ounce lemon cake mix (1 box)
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • confectioners sugar optional

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, mix well to combine cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil.
  • Place dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill.
  • Preheat oven to 350℉. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  • Form dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in powdered sugar, if desired. Place balls of cookie dough on baking sheets at least 2 inches apart.
  • Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on cookie sheets for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Store covered in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Chilling the dough works to keep the dough from spreading as it cooks and results in puffier cookies. However, if you are short on time you can skip chilling the dough. The cookies will still taste yummy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Easy Lemon Cookies

Did You Make This Recipe?

Share it with me on Instagram @crayonsandcravings and follow on Pinterest @crayonsandcravings for even more!

Note: Recipe updated 2/23/24 with added recipe notes, variations, and new photos. The original photos are below.

Lemon Crinkle Cookies with Cake Mix.
Lemon Cake Mix Cookies on cooling rack.
Easy Lemon Cookies with powdered sugar cooling on wire rack.
3-Ingredient Lemon Cookie with a bite taken out of it.
Easy Lemon Cake Mix Cookie Recipe Pin.

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Recipe Rating




149 Comments

    1. Another reader shared the recipe she used for a lemon glaze:

      2 1/2 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
      1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
      1 teaspoon butter (softened)
      pinch of salt

    1. Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and chill it in the fridge overnight. If it is too stiff to roll into balls allow it to sit at room temp to soften up for a few minutes.

  1. 5 stars
    Love these! Made them today to bring to a friend’s home. I rolled 1/2 in powdered sugar and glazed the other 1/2 with a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and lemon juice. So good!

    1. 5 stars
      Made they today. OMG! They are amazing and very easy to make. I may end up making more. I have a sweet tooth and these are not overly sweet!

      Thank you sharing

  2. 5 stars
    2023 Aug25 I tried this recipe for the first time today. Very easy to just mix & bake. Soft lemon flavor chewy texture. I rolled mine in powdered sugar for a bit of crackly affect

  3. 5 stars
    I first made these at a Christmas cookie party last year and have been making them ever since. They’re always a hit and so easy to make!
    Love this recipe 💚

  4. I made these cookies quite a bit, but I add one box lemon Jell-O mix for a more lemonade taste and sprinkle lemon Jell-O. Mix on top for baking. Turns out yummy.

      1. I believe she sprinkles it on right before baking. I have not tried this myself though. If you do please let us know how it comes out 🙂

  5. 5 stars
    I have made these many times and got many good comments on them. A real favourite for lemon lovers. Thanks!

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