Zesty Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe: Bright & Sweet Treats

Soft, pillowy lemon crinkle cookies dance with zesty brightness, promising a burst of sunshine in every delightful bite.

These delicate treats combine the perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors.

Powdered sugar creates a beautiful crackled exterior that looks as stunning as it tastes.

Each cookie delivers a delightful blend of citrusy freshness and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

The recipe comes together quickly with simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.

Bakers of all skill levels can whip up these irresistible cookies in no time.

Serve these delectable morsels and watch faces light up with pure cookie joy.

Equipment Essentials for Lemon Crinkle Cookies

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for blending cake mix, eggs, oil, and lemon extract smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining ingredients and creating cookie dough.
• Teaspoon: Helps measure and drop consistent amounts of dough.
• Separate Small Bowl: Needed for rolling dough in confectioners' sugar.
• Ungreased Cookie Sheets: Critical for baking cookies without sticking.
• Cooling Rack: Great for letting cookies cool after baking.

Step-by-Step to Bake Lemon Crinkle Cookies

• Sugar Crystal Coating

Prepare a shallow bowl filled with soft, powdery confectioners’ sugar for rolling cookie dough.

• Dough Preparation

Combine cake mix with eggs, vegetable oil, and bright zesty lemon extract in a large mixing bowl, stirring until ingredients blend smoothly into a soft, cohesive mixture.

• Cookie Shaping

Scoop small dollops of cookie dough and gently roll them through the fluffy white sugar, ensuring each ball gets a delicate, sparkling exterior.

• Baking Magic

Place sugar-dusted cookie balls onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them comfortably apart. Slide the sheets into a preheated 375°F oven and bake until cookie bottoms transform into a delicate golden hue, typically 6-9 minutes.

• Cooling Moment

Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest briefly, allowing their edges to set and their sugary coating to crystallize into a beautiful crackled finish.

Pro Baking Tips for Lemon Crinkle Cookies

• Swap lemon extract for orange or lime extract to create vibrant citrus variations that match your taste preferences.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and create perfectly round, uniform cookies.
• Use extra-fine powdered sugar for a more delicate, even coating that creates a beautiful crackled appearance.
• Prepare cookie dough in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage, allowing you to enjoy fresh cookies anytime.
• Sprinkle some fresh lemon zest over the cookies right after baking for an extra burst of citrus flavor and visual appeal.

Plating and Serving Lemon Crinkle Cookies

• Zesty Tea Party Delight: Serve these tangy lemon crinkle cookies alongside a warm cup of chamomile or Earl Grey tea for an elegant afternoon treat.
• Refreshing Dessert Pairing: Complement the cookies with a scoop of lemon sorbet or a dollop of light whipped cream to enhance the citrusy flavor profile.
• Sweet Gifting Option: Package these delicate cookies in a cute mason jar or decorative tin, tied with a ribbon, for a charming homemade gift that will brighten someone's day.
• Brunch Showstopper: Arrange the cookies on a beautiful platter with fresh berries and mint leaves for a stunning brunch dessert that looks as delightful as it tastes.

Storage Tips for Lemon Crinkle Cookies

• Fridge Freshness Strategy: Store these zesty cookies in an airtight container to maintain their soft texture and vibrant lemon flavor for up to 5 days.
• Cool Down Method: Allow cookies to completely cool on a wire rack before storing to prevent moisture buildup and potential sogginess.
• Freezer Friendly Approach: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag for long-term storage up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best taste and texture.
• Sugar Coating Tip: Keep extra confectioners' sugar in a separate sealed container near your cookies to refresh the sugary exterior when serving, ensuring that delightful crinkle look stays crisp and inviting.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 9 minutes

Total Time: 19 minutes

Calories: 162 kcal

Servings: 22

What’s Inside Lemon Crinkle Cookies

• Cake Mix: Provides the foundational structure and sweetness, choose a high-quality lemon or yellow cake mix for intense flavor.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and adds richness, select fresh eggs at room temperature for better mixing.
• Vegetable Oil: Creates moisture and tender texture, use a neutral-flavored oil like canola for smooth consistency.
• Lemon Extract: Delivers vibrant citrus punch, opt for pure extract over artificial versions for authentic zesty flavor.

• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates signature crinkly exterior and sweet dusting, select fine, smooth powdered sugar for elegant finish.

• Cookie Sheets: Essential for even baking, use light-colored non-stick sheets for consistent golden edges.

Tangy Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 19 minutes
• Yield: 22 1x

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Description

Delightful lemon crinkle cookies bring zesty sunshine to classic cookie traditions. Sweet powdered sugar coating and tangy citrus notes make these treats irresistible for home bakers seeking refreshing dessert perfection.

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Ingredients

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• 1 package (15.25 oz / 432 g) lemon cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup (79 mL) vegetable oil
• 1 tsp (5 mL) lemon extract
• ⅓ cup (40 g) confectioners’ sugar

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Instructions

1. Mixture Preparation: Combine cake mix, eggs, culinary oil, and lemon extract in a large mixing bowl, blending thoroughly until a smooth, consistent batter forms with vibrant citrus undertones.
2. Sugar Coating: Create a powdered sugar station by filling a shallow dish with the fine white powder, then methodically roll each cookie dough portion to ensure complete, elegant coverage.
3. Baking Arrangement: Distribute the sugar-coated dough onto ungreased baking sheets, allowing sufficient space between each cookie to accommodate natural spreading during the baking process.
4. Oven Transformation: Position the prepared trays in a preheated oven set at 375 degrees fahrenheit, allowing the cookies to bake for 6 to 9 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden brown and surfaces develop characteristic crinkled textures.
5. Cooling and Serving: Once removed from the oven, let the lemon crinkle cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to achieve the perfect tender-crisp consistency before serving.

Notes

• Quick Zest Tip: Add extra lemon zest for a more intense citrus flavor that elevates the cookie’s brightness.
• Sugar Coating Trick: Roll cookies generously in powdered sugar to create those signature crinkly, cracked edges that look professionally baked.
• Baking Precision Matters: Watch cookies carefully between 6-9 minutes; they can quickly go from perfectly golden to overdone, so set a timer and check frequently.
• Storage Secret: Store cookies in an airtight container with a piece of bread to maintain softness and prevent them from drying out quickly.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 162
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 153 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 27 mg