There’s something so nostalgic and comforting about cake mix cookies, right? They’re quick to whip up, require only a few ingredients, and always turn out perfectly soft and chewy. These Strawberry Lemonade Cake Mix Cookies are a fun twist on the classic—packed with bright strawberry flavor and a zesty lemon kick. They’re like a sweet little bite of summer in every cookie, and the best part? You only need three ingredients!
This recipe is a go-to for me whenever I want a quick dessert that will impress. Whether it’s for a picnic, a potluck, or just a sweet snack at home, these cookies never fail to put a smile on my face. They’re also incredibly easy to make, so if you’re looking for a simple way to treat yourself (and everyone else), look no further.
Let’s get to baking these irresistible strawberry lemonade cake mix cookies that will have everyone asking for the recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Super easy: With just three main ingredients, you can have cookies ready in about 20 minutes.
- Bright and refreshing: The combination of strawberry and lemon is so refreshing—it’s like a taste of summer!
- Soft and chewy: These cookies are the perfect balance of soft, chewy, and a little cakey, just like the best cake mix cookies.
- No chill time: No waiting around for dough to chill, so you can bake them and enjoy them right away.
- Perfect for any occasion: Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or bringing cookies to a friend’s house, these are always a hit.
- Customizable: You can easily swap in white chocolate chips, add a bit more lemon zest, or even throw in some sprinkles for extra fun.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Strawberry cake mix (1 box, about 15.25 oz): This is the star of the show! The cake mix gives these cookies a soft, moist texture and a vibrant strawberry flavor.
- Vegetable oil (½ cup): Helps make the cookies soft and chewy.
- Eggs (2 large): These help bind everything together and give the cookies their perfect texture.
(Note: A complete list of ingredients with exact measurements is included in the instructions section below.)
How to Make It (Step-by-Step Instructions):
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your oven is nice and hot when you pop the cookies in, helping them bake evenly.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
In a large bowl, add the strawberry cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs. Using a spoon or a hand mixer, mix everything together until it forms a soft dough. It should be thick and slightly sticky, but if it seems too dry, you can add a little more oil (a tablespoon at a time) to help bring it all together.
Step 3: Scoop the Dough
Once your dough is ready, use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to scoop out even portions of dough. Roll each portion into a ball with your hands and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Make sure to space them about 2 inches apart, as they will spread out a little as they bake.
Step 4: Flatten the Dough
Use the back of a spoon, your fingers, or the bottom of a glass to gently flatten each cookie ball. This will help them bake evenly and give them that perfect cookie shape.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake the cookies for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look a little soft, but that’s okay—they will continue to firm up as they cool. Be careful not to overbake; you want them to be soft and chewy, not crispy!
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture is best enjoyed once they’ve had a chance to cool down and set.
Once they’re cool, you’re ready to dive in! Serve them with a cold glass of lemonade for the ultimate sweet treat combo.
Helpful Tips:
- Add-ins: If you want to make these cookies even more decadent, you can mix in white chocolate chips or lemon zest to really elevate the flavors.
- Lemon glaze: For an extra pop of lemon flavor, drizzle a simple lemon glaze over the cooled cookies. Just whisk together powdered sugar, a little lemon juice, and a pinch of zest until smooth, and drizzle it on top of the cookies.
- Storage: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If they last that long, that is! They’re that good!
- Freezing: You can freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months. Just scoop the dough onto a baking sheet, freeze it until solid, and then transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, pop them straight from the freezer onto the baking sheet and bake for an extra minute or two.
- Making them colorful: If you’re baking for a holiday or special occasion, feel free to add some colorful sprinkles to the cookie dough before baking, or sprinkle them on top right after they come out of the oven.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! You can easily swap the strawberry cake mix for a lemon cake mix, vanilla, or even chocolate if you prefer. The process stays the same, and the flavor will change depending on the cake mix you choose.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Nope! These cookies don’t need any chilling time. You can mix, scoop, and bake right away—perfect for when you’re craving something sweet without the wait.
Can I add frosting to these cookies?
You can totally add frosting if you want an extra indulgent treat! A simple buttercream or cream cheese frosting would pair wonderfully with these strawberry lemonade cookies. Or, a lemon glaze would complement the flavor even more.
How do I make these cookies more lemony?
If you want to add more lemon flavor, try mixing in a little lemon zest into the dough or drizzling a lemon glaze on top after baking. This will boost the lemony flavor and give the cookies an extra zing!
Can I use this recipe to make cookies in other shapes?
Sure! You can use cookie cutters to make fun shapes (think hearts, stars, or even circle shapes) before baking. Just make sure to slightly flatten the dough before cutting out the shapes to help them bake evenly.
These Strawberry Lemonade Cake Mix Cookies are one of those recipes that’s perfect for any occasion, yet so easy you can whip them up whenever you want a quick and delicious treat. The combination of strawberry and lemon is refreshing, vibrant, and perfect for those sunny days or when you need a little pick-me-up. Give them a try, and let me know how they turn out!
Enjoy, and don’t forget to share these sweet bites of summer with friends and family—they’ll be asking for the recipe in no time!
Strawberry Lemonade Cake Mix Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box 15.25 oz strawberry cake mix
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir until the dough is smooth and all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Roll the dough: Use a tablespoon to scoop out dough and roll it into balls. Roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Place on the baking sheet: Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set, but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
- 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. Enjoy!
Notes
- For extra lemon flavor, you can add a little more lemon zest or juice to the dough.
- You can also drizzle the cooled cookies with a simple lemon glaze for an added lemony touch.
- Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
