Easy Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe: Bright & Sweet Treats

Lemon crinkle cookies dance with zesty brightness, crafting ordinary baking into a delightful culinary adventure.

These delicate treats carry a sunshine-like essence that instantly lifts spirits and tantalizes taste buds.

Soft, pillowy textures merge with sharp citrus notes, creating a remarkable sensory experience.

Powdered sugar coating adds a beautiful crackled appearance that makes these cookies visually stunning.

Delicate and elegant, they strike a perfect balance between tangy flavors and sweet undertones.

Baking these magical morsels requires minimal ingredients but promises maximum enjoyment for anyone craving a refreshing dessert.

Whip up a batch that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What Makes Lemon Crinkles So Addictive

• Burst of Zesty Sunshine: Lemon extract infuses these cookies with a bright, tangy flavor that instantly lifts your mood, creating a refreshing twist on classic sweet treats.
• Effortless Elegance: Using cake mix as a base makes these cookies incredibly simple to prepare, perfect for bakers of all skill levels who want a quick and delicious dessert without complicated steps.
• Sugar-Coated Crinkle Magic: Rolling the dough in powdered sugar before baking creates a gorgeous crackled surface and adds a delightful sweet coating that looks professionally made, yet requires minimal effort.
• Quick Comfort Treat: With a total baking time of just 6-9 minutes, these cookies are a speedy solution for sudden cookie cravings or last-minute dessert needs, delivering maximum flavor in minimum time.

Ingredients That Keep These Cookies Bright and Soft

• Cake Mix: The base for the cookie, providing a soft and tender texture with a convenient pre-mixed blend of flour, sugar, and leavening agents.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness to the cookie dough.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.
• Lemon Extract: Provides a bright, zesty lemon flavor throughout the cookies.

• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates a classic crinkle cookie appearance and adds a sweet, delicate exterior when rolled before baking.

Baking Lemon Crinkle Cookies Like a Pro

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Heat your oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Mix the Cookie Base

• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Lemon extract

Stir everything together until the mixture looks smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Create the Sugar Coating

Set up a separate bowl filled with powdered sugar. This will be your magical cookie transformation station!

Step 4: Shape the Cookies

Scoop small spoonfuls of dough and gently roll them in the powdered sugar. Make sure each cookie gets a light, even dusting that looks like a delicate winter frost.

Step 5: Arrange on Baking Sheets

Place each sugar-coated cookie about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Give them some breathing room to spread out and become beautiful.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven. Bake for 6 to 9 minutes until the cookie bottoms turn a lovely light golden brown.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. These zesty treats are ready to make your taste buds dance!

Tips for Even Cracks and Soft Bites

• Measure Precisely: Use level measurements for cake mix and eggs to ensure consistent cookie texture and flavor.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Gently roll dough balls in powdered sugar, creating a light, even coating that produces signature crinkle appearance.
• Avoid Overbaking: Watch cookies carefully during last few minutes of baking; they should have light golden edges but remain soft in center.
• Cooling Strategy: Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring to wire rack to prevent breaking delicate edges.
• Storage Tip: Store cooled cookies in airtight container with wax paper between layers to maintain their delicate crinkle texture and prevent sticking.

Keeping Your Crinkles Soft After Baking

• Refrigerate: Store cooled lemon crinkle cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Maintain quality for 2-3 months in the freezer. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
• Reheat: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore softness and bring back that fresh-baked taste.

Pairing Options for These Lemony Treats

• Brew Zesty Tea Pairing: A light, fragrant Earl Grey or chamomile tea perfectly complements the bright lemon flavor of these crinkle cookies, enhancing their delicate sweetness and refreshing citrus notes.
• Creamy Companion Suggestion: Serve alongside a dollop of whipped mascarpone or a scoop of lemon sorbet to amplify the cookie's tangy undertones and create a delightful dessert experience.
• Afternoon Delight Match: Pair with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a sparkling prosecco to cut through the cookie's sweetness and provide a sophisticated adult treat that balances the lemony brightness.
• Counterpoint Flavor Contrast: Enjoy with a rich, dark espresso to create an exciting flavor dynamic that plays against the cookie's light, zesty character and provides a delicious sensory contrast.

Crinkle Cookie Variations to Try Next

• Zesty Orange Burst: Swap lemon extract for orange extract and add orange zest to intensify the citrus flavor. Roll in powdered sugar for a bright, tangy cookie variation.
• Lavender Lemon Dream: Mix dried lavender buds into the dough and use lemon extract. The floral notes complement the citrus, creating an elegant, sophisticated cookie experience.
• Coconut Lemon Splash: Fold shredded coconut into the cake mix before forming cookies. Roll in a mixture of powdered sugar and coconut flakes for added texture and tropical flair.
• Almond Lemon Crunch: Incorporate finely chopped almonds into the dough and sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking. The nutty crunch enhances the lemony base with a delightful contrast.

Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 19 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Lemon crinkle cookies bring sunshine to classic cookie traditions with their zesty, powdered sugar-dusted charm. Delicate crackled edges and tangy lemon essence invite sweet moments of pure delight for cookie enthusiasts seeking a refreshing twist on homemade treats.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) package lemon cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) lemon extract

Decorative Ingredient:

• ⅓ cup (40 grams) confectioners’ sugar

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Instructions

1. Empty the cake mix into a spacious mixing vessel, creating a pristine foundation for zesty lemon cookies.
2. Incorporate eggs, culinary oil, and vibrant lemon extract into the dry mixture, stirring until a uniform, glossy batter emerges.
3. Prepare a shallow bowl filled with delicate powdered sugar, creating a luxurious coating station for the cookie dough.
4. Delicately scoop small dollops of the lemony mixture, gently rolling each portion through the powdered sugar until elegantly dusted.
5. Arrange the sugar-kissed cookie morsels on ungreased baking sheets, positioning them with gentle spacing to allow graceful expansion.
6. Slide the cookie-laden trays into a preheated oven calibrated to 375 degrees fahrenheit, transforming the pale dough into golden, crinkled delicacies.
7. Monitor the cookies closely, removing them when the undersides transform to a delicate light brown, typically requiring 6 to 9 minutes of precise baking.

Notes

• These zesty cookies transform a simple cake mix into a delightful lemony treat perfect for any occasion.
• Coating the dough in powdered sugar creates a beautiful crackled surface and adds a sweet, delicate finish.
• Quick and easy recipe takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for spontaneous baking moments.
• Lemon extract provides a bright, intense citrus flavor that elevates these cookies beyond typical cake mix desserts.
• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain their soft, tender texture.
• Serve chilled or at room temperature as a light dessert alongside tea or coffee for a refreshing pick-me-up.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 160mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 20mg