Well I have been staring at a random box of lemon cake mix in my pantry for months now. I am not a huge fan of cake mixes and for the life of me I cannot remember why I purchased it in the first place. However, I was determined to use the mix this weekend and started browsing the web for ideas. I came across a recipe from allrecipes that used boxed lemon cake mix to make cookies. The reviews were mixed; some stating they were delicious, while others complained they tasted like Froot Loops. I happen to thoroughly enjoy Froot Loops, so I decided to give these a try with a couple of minor substitutions. Here is the verdict: The texture of these cookies was amazing- nice, crisp outsides with a chewy center! The taste was really quite good, not too tart and not too sweet. This is not a cookie I would make on a weekly basis, but it was good nonetheless. So, if you have a random box of lemon cake mix, make these…I bet you could use the base of cake mix, 2 eggs and vegetable oil with other cake mixes as well. Happy Baking!
1 (18.25 ounce) package lemon cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons lemon zest
2 TBS fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar for decoration
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Pour cake mix into a large bowl. Stir in eggs, oil, and lemon juice, lemon extract and lemon zest until well blended.
4. Bake for 6 to 9 minutes in the preheated oven. The bottoms will be light brown, and the insides chewy.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Mmm, those look good! What a nice way to use up cake mix.
Hi, I stumbled across your cookie pic on FoodGawker. They look fantastic. I would suggest changing your background pattern, makes it VERY difficult to read your blog.
Wow, okay, it changed on its own. LOL! The recipe looks dynamite.
Those cookies look absolutely decadent!
I’ll definitely have to try them – I’ve never met a Fruit Loop I didn’t like
mmmmm we make these all the time we call them lemon drop cookies.
I always have cake mixes in the pantry. I usually buy them when it’s buy one get one. They’re handy though I never just make cake with them. I use them as a stepping stone to something yummier like your cookies!
You find a lot of good recipes on allrecipes I need to check ‘em out better.
~ingrid
I’m trying to imagine what a cookie-sized fruit loop would taste like! These cookies look great and I’m glad they made a nice break in the cookie routine while getting rid of a pesky cake mix. I have 4 different types of mixes on my counter awaiting a verdict. They just don’t fit in the drawer anymore.
Nancy
Those lemon cookies look good!
mmm..yummy..I love anything lemon!
Beautiful photo.
I know what mean about the cake mix. I have a box of yellow cake mix and have no idea why I bought it. Maybe cake mix cookies are the answer!
Cookies look great. I am a huge fan of lemon anything dessert -ish. I am going to have to give this recipe a try.
Sharona May
These lok great, who knew that something so fancy looking could come from a cake mix?!
I love lemon cookies and that texture sounds perfect…crispy outsides and chewy insides.
They look very good. I love tyring new recipes using cake mixes!
i made these a week or so ago – not knowing that you had posted them – and they were a hit with my hub! He said they tasted like trix.
I love how simple the recipe is.
I also made a glaze on top instead of rolling them in the sugar.
These look great! I might actually go out and buy some cake mix just so I could make them!
Your cookies look delicious! Glad to say that I have no cake mix in my pantry – but for this recipe it would be worth buying one
Easy and so pretty! I will have to try these. I love my lemon!
Hi, new to your blog and think it’s great. Can’t wait to try these yummy looking cookies!
oh jeez i was just at the grocery store andi had this recipe open when i left and i totally forgot to buy a lemon cake mix, maybe next time! i’m putting this on a posty note so i don’t forget again
they look super tasty
I just made a variation of these using white chocolate chips and without the powdered sugar. They came out great, thanks for the inspiration!
These looks perfect! I love recipes that ask for oil instead butter!
I made these and wrote about them here: http://tomatoesforapples.blogspot.com/2009/12/cake-mix-cookies-take-three-lemon.html
I was a bit bummed out with how they turned out. They had a weird aftertaste. I'm thinking that it had something to do with the brand of cake mix I used. I bet I could have solved that problem by using yellow cake mix instead of lemon, and adding lemon extract to make up the difference.
Thank you for the recipe, they certainly made a pretty cookie. (Oh and I'd like to add that these cookies stay moist for a really long time.)
I’ve never bothered to write a review before. But I have to! These are the very best cookies I have ever tasted! Look great also, and the texture is wonderful!! And so easy to make! (Who wooda’ thunk it?? from a cake mix!)
Do use lemon cake mix–We used Duncan Hines. Also, we had no lemon extract, so I substituted Realemon for the extract.