If you’re on the lookout for a dessert that feels like a warm hug and is ridiculously easy to pull together, the Cool Whip Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. With just a handful of simple ingredients coming together to create a cookie that’s pillowy soft, tangy with lemon, and dusted in sweet powdered sugar, this treat is perfect for everything from casual get-togethers to last-minute cravings. These cookies manage to be both refreshingly light and satisfyingly indulgent, making them an absolute knockout in the world of quick-bake sweets.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward and pantry-friendly, yet each one plays a vital role in crafting the perfect texture and bright, zesty flavor of your cookies. From the cake mix that brings structure and sweetness, to the Cool Whip that adds an irresistible fluffiness, everything is designed to make baking as joyful as eating.
- 1 box lemon cake mix: The star that gives these cookies their citrus zing and a tender crumb.
- 1 (8 ounce) tub of Cool Whip (thawed): Keeps the cookies wonderfully moist and gives them a melt-in-your-mouth softness.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together without weighing down the dough.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: For that beautiful sugared exterior that adds just the right hint of sweetness and crackle.
How to Make Cool Whip Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Base Ingredients
Start by tossing the lemon cake mix, thawed Cool Whip, and the large egg into a big mixing bowl. It’s a breeze to do, and right away you’ll notice the dough’s unique, creamy texture coming together.
Step 2: Mix Until Smooth
Use a mixer on medium speed to blend everything thoroughly until the dough looks smooth and uniform. This step ensures that every bite is consistent and soft.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Transfer your sticky dough into a bowl and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Pop it into the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up, which makes shaping the cookies much easier and helps them maintain their shape when baked.
Step 4: Prepare for Baking
Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While it warms up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. This setup helps your cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking.
Step 5: Shape and Sugar Coat
Pour the powdered sugar into a small bowl. Using a cookie scoop, measure out portions of dough, then roll each scoop into a ball and coat it in the powdered sugar. This sugary shell gives the cookies their iconic crackled, frosted look.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Arrange the sugared dough balls about 2 inches apart on your baking sheet, leaving room for spreading. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges set and the bottoms turn a lovely golden brown. They’ll look a little delicate, but that’s exactly how they should be!
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies chill out on the baking sheet for five minutes before moving them to a wire rack. This brief cooling helps them finish setting up without breaking apart and keeps their texture light and airy.
How to Serve Cool Whip Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies shine on their own, but if you want to jazz them up, sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar on top right before serving, or add a tiny drizzle of lemon glaze for an extra zing. A thin strip of lemon zest on each cookie also looks vibrant and enhances the citrus theme beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair these lemony cookies with a tall glass of cold milk, a cup of bright green tea, or even a refreshing chilled lemonade for a coordinated flavor explosion. They’re also fantastic alongside fresh berries or a light fruit salad to keep the snack balanced and bright.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, stack the cookies on a pretty cake stand and sprinkle edible flowers or fresh mint leaves around them. You can also package them in clear cellophane bags tied with yellow ribbon for a sweet homemade gift that friends and family will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Cool Whip Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This will keep them soft and fresh, so they feel like you just baked them.
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies ahead of time, you can freeze the dough balls before baking. Simply arrange them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, bake them directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
To enjoy refrigerated or frozen cookies as if freshly baked, warm them in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3-5 minutes. Avoid microwaving, which can make the texture gummy instead of soft and delicate.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Absolutely! While lemon is refreshing and classic, you can experiment with flavors like chocolate, red velvet, or spice cake to switch things up while following the same recipe.
Do I have to use Cool Whip or can I substitute something else?
Cool Whip is key to creating the light texture here, but you can try other whipped toppings. However, just be aware this might slightly alter the cookie’s delicate balance of flavor and softness.
Why do the cookies spread so much?
The Cool Whip and cake mix combination creates a very soft dough that naturally spreads during baking. Chilling the dough before baking helps control this, so don’t skip that crucial step.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
Yes, if you use a gluten-free cake mix, you can enjoy these cookies gluten-free! Just double-check all your ingredients to ensure they meet your dietary needs.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
They’re best enjoyed within three days when stored properly. Past that, they might lose their signature softness and become a bit dry.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about the Cool Whip Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe that makes baking feel easy and baking results taste special. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen newbie, these cookies promise smiles and happy taste buds every time. I can’t wait for you to try them and make this sweet, tangy treat a staple in your recipe collection!
Print
Cool Whip Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 55-60 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cool Whip Cookies are soft, fluffy, and incredibly easy to make with just four simple ingredients: cake mix, Cool Whip, an egg, and powdered sugar. Perfectly sweet and lightly tangy from the cake mix, these cookies are coated in powdered sugar for a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Ready in under an hour, they make a quick and delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box lemon cake mix (any brand, any flavor)
- 1 (8 ounce) tub Cool Whip (thawed)
- 1 large egg
Coating
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the lemon cake mix, thawed Cool Whip, and one large egg to create the cookie dough.
- Mix Dough: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed, blend the ingredients until the dough is smooth and fully combined.
- Chill Dough: Scrape the sticky dough into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat Oven: After chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line one or two large baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Powdered Sugar: Place the powdered sugar into a small bowl for rolling the cookie dough balls.
- Shape Cookies: Using a cookie scoop, portion the chilled dough and drop each scoop into the powdered sugar; roll gently to coat completely.
- Arrange Cookies: Roll each coated dough scoop into a ball and place them approximately 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the bottoms turn golden brown.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to help manage the sticky texture and ensure cookies hold their shape while baking.
- You can use any flavor of cake mix to vary the taste of the cookies to your liking.
- Be sure to space cookies adequately on the baking sheet as they will spread during baking.
- For best results, allow cookies to cool fully on a wire rack before storing or serving.
- Using powdered sugar to coat the dough balls creates a delicate crust and adds sweetness.
