If you’re on a mission to find your new favorite sweet treat, let me introduce you to Lemon Crinkle Cookies! These cookies are soft, pillowy, and bursting with citrusy brightness, all wrapped up in their signature crackly, snowy-white coating. Each bite is a little ray of sunshine—the perfect blend of tang and sweetness, with an irresistibly tender texture. Whether you’re baking for a party, a picnic, or simply to satisfy your lemon cravings, this cheerful recipe is bound to win over any cookie lover.

Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is a celebration of simplicity, relying on just a handful of ingredients that combine to deliver big, bold flavors. Each item on this list plays a unique role—some add lift, others richness, and a few provide that unmistakable lemon zing.

Lemon cake mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): The ultimate shortcut for tender, perfectly lemony cookies with a soft crumb every time.
Large eggs (2): These give the dough structure and contribute to that luscious, cake-like texture.
Vegetable oil (1/3 cup): Keeps the cookies moist and melt-in-your-mouth soft instead of dry or crumbly.
Fresh lemon juice (1 tablespoon): Adds bright, natural tartness that really wakes up every bite.
Lemon zest (1 teaspoon): Delivers pure lemon aroma and an extra burst of citrus flavor—don’t skip it!
Powdered sugar (1/2 cup, for rolling): Creates that beautiful, crinkly exterior and gives each cookie a delicate sweetness.

How to Make Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F so it’s perfectly hot when you’re ready to bake. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper—this not only prevents sticking, but also helps achieve evenly baked, picture-perfect Lemon Crinkle Cookies without the need for extra oil or cleanup.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Grab a large mixing bowl and add the lemon cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir everything together until a thick, smooth dough comes together. Don’t worry if the dough looks sticky—that’s exactly what you want for ultra-soft cookies loaded with lemon flavor.

Step 3: Shape and Coat

Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll each piece into a ball with your hands. This is the part where you get a little messy (but that’s part of the fun!). Drop each dough ball into a bowl of powdered sugar and roll until it’s completely coated in a snowy layer—this ensures the cookies get their signature crinkle look once baked.

Step 4: Arrange and Bake

Place your sugared cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to give them room to spread. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, just until the cookies look puffed and their edges are set. They might look slightly under-baked in the center, but that’s key for a soft, tender bite.

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy

Let your Lemon Crinkle Cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes—they’re delicate at first and will continue to set as they sit. Then transfer them to a wire rack to let them cool completely… or sneak one warm for an ultra-soft, lemony treat you’ll remember!

How to Serve Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Garnishes

Elevate your Lemon Crinkle Cookies with a simple garnish, like a sprinkle of extra powdered sugar right before serving. For an extra splash of color and zing, add a little bit of finely grated lemon zest over the top, or even nestle a few edible flowers on your cookie platter for a pretty, summery touch.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with tea—think a refreshing glass of iced black tea, a mug of chamomile, or even a light herbal blend. If you’re serving them as part of a dessert spread, try adding fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream to let the citrus notes truly shine.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack Lemon Crinkle Cookies in mason jars tied with a ribbon for adorable gifts, or arrange them on a tiered cake stand with other pastel treats for a festive presentation. For spring or summer parties, make cookie sandwiches with sweet lemon curd or a dollop of cream cheese frosting in the center for an extra-special twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Lemon Crinkle Cookies soft and fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delightful for up to five days, making them a great option for prepping ahead or enjoying throughout the week.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze these cookies! Place fully cooled cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container. For best results, separate layers with parchment paper. They’ll keep beautifully for up to two months—just set on the counter to thaw before serving.

Reheating

If you love warm cookies, pop a couple of Lemon Crinkle Cookies into the microwave for just 5 to 10 seconds. This little trick brings back their freshly baked softness and makes the lemon aroma even more irresistible.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies without fresh lemon juice or zest?

While fresh lemon juice and zest add unbeatable citrus punch, you can substitute with bottled juice or skip the zest in a pinch. However, the cookies may lack some brightness and fragrance, so use fresh if possible for the best Lemon Crinkle Cookies!

My dough is really sticky. Is that normal?

Absolutely! Sticky dough yields the softest cookies. If it’s tricky to handle, chill the dough in the fridge for 15 minutes before shaping and rolling in powdered sugar. This helps make it less messy and easier to shape into balls.

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes, you can switch up the recipe with other cake mix flavors like strawberry, vanilla, or even orange for fruity variations. But for that classic, tart-sweet flavor, nothing beats the traditional Lemon Crinkle Cookies!

What’s the secret to getting that perfect crinkle effect?

Rolling the dough balls generously in powdered sugar before baking is key. Also, don’t overbake—the cookies will crinkle and stay soft if you remove them as soon as the edges are set and the centers still look a bit underdone.

Can I make Lemon Crinkle Cookies gluten-free?

Definitely! Use a gluten-free lemon cake mix and follow the same instructions. Check that all your other ingredients (like powdered sugar) are also gluten-free, and you’ll have delicious cookies for everyone to enjoy.

Final Thoughts

I can’t tell you enough how much joy these Lemon Crinkle Cookies have brought to my kitchen—they’re simple, eye-catching, and truly addictive. If you crave a cookie that’s just as lovely to look at as it is delicious to eat, this is the recipe to try. Gather your ingredients and treat yourself (and your loved ones!) to a batch of homemade sunshine—you won’t regret it!

Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Lemon Crinkle Cookies are a delightful treat with a burst of citrus flavor. Made with lemon cake mix, fresh lemon juice, and zest, these soft and chewy cookies are easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

1 box (15.25 oz) lemon cake mix
2 large eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, eggs, oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir until a thick dough forms.
Shape the cookies: Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar until well coated.
Bake the cookies: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 9–11 minutes until puffed and set at the edges.
Cool and serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.