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Lemon Cake Mix Cookies | One Dough, Three Amazing Cookies

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Can’t decide how much lemon you want? These three easy lemon cake mix cookies are all made with the same dough. Try them all and choose your favorite!

Lemon cake mix cookies are so easy. And the best part is, you can make three delicious versions of this recipe with just one batch of dough. From mellow powdered citrus cookies, to tart cookies with glaze. You'll be hooked. #lemon #dessert #cookies #easyrecipes #pdpsweets

 

 

It just occurred to me that many of the dessert recipes around here, like homemade Samoas and Double Decker Triple Stuffed Brownies, can be quite time consuming.

Don’t get me wrong…they’re worth it. But they’re definitely time consuming.

But sometimes you just need a recipe that is easy.

And, of course, it has to be as tasty as it is easy!

That’s where these lemon cookies come in.

Three different lemon cookies, all from one simple dough. Yum.

Lemon cake mix cookies with powdered sugar

Powdered sugar lemon cookies are the most basic, and have the lightest lemon flavor of all. These are perfect if you just want a hint of citrus flavor.

I, however, love strong and tart lemon in my baked good. Please don’t tell me I’m alone in this.

Thumbprint lemon cake mix cookies

Lemon thumbprint cookies take the same lemon cookie dough, and increase the citrus flavor with just a bit of lemon curd.

Yum.

The Husband was a big fan of those.

But, if you’re like me…you might want even more lemon flavor.

Lemon cake mix cookies with a tart lemon glaze

Lemon curd is awesome, and it definitely ups the tart, citrus flavor of these lemon cake mix cookies.

BUT…if you want lemon flavor that really packs a punch, you’ll want to make the iced lemon cake mix cookies.

A little powdered sugar, a tiny bit of milk and corn syrup, lemon extract and lemon zest all come together to create an amazing icing that perfectly compliments the soft lemon flavor from the lemon cake mix cookies.

Three different lemon cookies all from one easy dough!

[clickToTweet tweet=”Lemon cookies are awesome anytime with this one easy #recipe and THREE different versions! ? via @PlayDatesParty” quote=”Lemon cookies are awesome anytime with this one easy #recipe and THREE different versions! ?”]

You see, it’s so easy to take basic lemon cake mix cookies and turn them into any number of delicious treats.

And if you’re not sure which kind to make, just split your batter up and make them all!

Lemon Cake Mix Cookies – Three Ways

Yield: 24 cookies

Lemon Cake Mix Cookies - Three Ways

Lemon Cake Mix Cookies - Three Ways

Can't decide how much lemon you want? These three easy lemon cake mix cookies are all made with the same dough. Try them all and choose your favorite!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
Cooling Time 5 minutes
Total Time 24 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/3 C melted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp lemon extract
  • zest of one lemon
  • squeeze of lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 box lemon cake mix

Powdered Lemon Cookies

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

  • 1/2 cup lemon curd

Iced Lemon Cookies

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp milk
  • 1 tsp lemon extract
  • lemon juice
  • lemon zest

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375F.
  2. Pour cake mix into a large bowl. Stir in eggs, melted butter, lemon extract, lemon zest, lemon juice and cloves until well combined. Dough will be sticky.
  3. Use a cookie scoop to create evenly sized cookie “balls”, but don’t “roll” the cookies.
  4. Bake according to your method of choice:

For Powdered Lemon Cookies

  1. Roll dough balls in a bowl of powdered sugar before baking. 
  2. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 6 to 9 minutes until just slightly browned. Do not overbake.

For Lemon Thumbprint cookies

  1. Press your thumb in the cookie ball to create a well, being careful not to make it too close to the edges. Place cookie dough on a baking sheet.
  2. Drop 1/4 tsp lemon curd in the well you created with your thumb.
  3. Bake for 6 to 9 minutes until just slightly browned. Do not overbake.
  4. Sprinkle with a little bit of clear sugar sprinkles while the cookies are still hot.

For Iced Lemon Clove Cookies

  1. Bake for 6 to 9 minutes until just slightly browned. Do not overbake. 
  2. While the cookies are baking, combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tsp milk, 1 tsp corn syrup, 1 tsp lemon extract, and a squeeze of lemon juice in a bowl. Whisk until combined. 
  3. Use the back of a spoon to place icing on cooked and cooled cookies. Garnish with extra lemon zest.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g

How much did you love this recipe?

Follow me on Pinterest for more, and don't forget to use the Pin It button at the top of the recipe card.

© Leslie @ playdatesparties.com
Cuisine: American / Category: Dessert

Don’t Forget These Essentials

Now It’s Your Turn

Sometimes life calls for those complicated recipes. Other times, however, you need a great recipe for something quick and delicious. Like these easy lemon cake mix cookies! With three different versions to choose from, you get to decide just how strong you want your lemon cookies to be. But I want to know…

Which of these three lemon cake mix cookies do you want to try most?

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About Leslie

Leslie is the passionate party planner in her family. Living with metastatic breast cancer since 2022, she is determined to find a way to continue making amazing parties for her kids that don't leave you exhausted. To do that Leslie combines the experience she learned working for a professional event planner with the reality of a busy family life to create party inspiration that the average mom can reproduce and be proud of.

Comments

  3. Katie says

    I pinned these to make over the summer – thanks for sharing these at Thursday Favorite Things, I can’t wait to make these! I just love anything lemon.

    Reply

    • Leslie says

      Thanks so much! Lemon is one of my favorite flavors. It was really hard not to eat all of these in one or two days!

      Reply

  11. Ashley says

    Oh these look AMAZING! Lemon desserts are some of my favorites ever and these sound so good! Thanks so much for linking up with us in the Best of the Blogosphere Link-Up! Hope to see you again tomorrow!

    Reply

  13. Jen says

    Yes, I LOVE lemon and have a whole tree full of them right now. I love that you can get 3 variations here from your base. Pinned and shared!

    Reply

  14. Debbie says

    Hi Leslie, anything lemony gets a thumbs up from me and the more lemony the better. The cookies with the addition of lemon curd do sound nice as do the ones with the lemony icing.

    Pinning.

    xx

    Reply

  19. Jenny says

    Cake cookies & lemon are my favorites. I can’t wait to try these. I want to try the last one. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday. Hope to see you at the party next week

    Reply

  22. LINDA says

    Yum. Hi, love your post. I have a new blog party and would like to invite you to come share this on the CLASSY FLAMINGOS BLOG PARTY held each Wednesday thru Friday. You’ll get large picture exposure and shout outs on all of my social media sites. And if you get PINKED you get even more exposure! I hope you’ll come by. poinsettiadr.com

    Reply

  25. jenny walters says

    I can’t decide between the lemon curd and the iced ones I’m afraid.I may need to trial about six of each!I didnt know you could do such a thing with a cake mix!Does it work for chocolate too?That’s genius.Great for cooking with the kids too.Thanks for sharing with #FiestaFriday

    Reply

  28. Jann Olson says

    Hi Leslie, I wanted to feature you today at SYC, but I’m not seeing a link back to the party. Sorry, it is a requirement.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply

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