Easy 4-Ingredient Lemon Crinkle Cookies: Soft, Buttery & Quick Recipe
Just four simple ingredients and approximately 20 minutes are all you need to create these incredibly soft, melt-in-your-mouth, buttery lemon crinkle cookies. This recipe isn’t just easy; it’s a family favorite that consistently delivers cheerful, zesty cookies perfect for any occasion. If you’re looking for a quick yet impressive dessert, these lemon cookie recipes are an absolute must-try.
These lemon crinkle cookies stand out as the bright, sunny counterpart to their richer, chocolatey relatives, like my absolute favorite holiday treat, Mint Middle Fudge Crinkles. With a vibrant, tangy lemon flavor that truly shines, these cookies offer a delightful combination of softness and chewiness. The cheerful yellow cookie dough peeks through the powdered sugar-dusted cracks, creating the signature “crinkle” appearance that gives these treats their charming and irresistible look. Each bite is a burst of sunshine, making them a perfect pick-me-up any time of year.
Why Lemon Crinkle Cookies Are a Must-Try
Beyond their simple preparation, these cookies offer a unique combination of textures and flavors. The contrast between the sweet, slightly crisp powdered sugar coating and the tender, buttery interior is simply divine. The zesty lemon cuts through the sweetness, ensuring each bite is refreshing and never overwhelmingly rich. They’re visually appealing, with their snowy exterior and sunny interior, making them a fantastic addition to any dessert platter or a thoughtful homemade gift.
If You’re a Lemon Fanatic Like Me, You’ll Also Love These:
- Lemon Cowboy Cookies
- Lemon Rosemary Cookies
- Lemon Sugar Scones
- Lemon Meringue Kisses
The Magic of Cake Mix: Your Secret Weapon for Quick Baking
These lemon crinkle cookies are a prime example of a fantastic cake mix recipe to add to your baking “arsenal.” Why an arsenal? Because easy cake mix recipes are the ultimate secret weapon for those moments when life throws a curveball. Think unexpected guests showing up, or when the kids suddenly declare they need a baked good “right now” for a school event they completely forgot to mention. A well-stocked pantry with a few cake mixes can turn potential panic into effortless success!
I’ve been there countless times – remembering about a church potluck at midnight on a Saturday, or realizing the school bake sale is tomorrow morning. That’s when recipes like these lemon crinkle cookies truly shine. My Cherry Almond Squares and Caramel Apple Dump Cake are some of my other go-to cake mix heroes for such last-minute baking emergencies. They prove that you don’t need a pantry full of specialized ingredients or hours of time to whip up something delicious and homemade. Cake mix recipes simplify the process dramatically, allowing you to enjoy the act of baking without the stress, and still deliver a treat that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen.
Essential Ingredients for Your Lemon Crinkle Cookies
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, requiring just four common ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A box of lemon cake mix: This is the foundation of our easy cookies, providing that bright lemon flavor and a tender crumb. Opt for a good quality mix for the best results.
- 2 large eggs: Eggs act as a binder, bringing the dough together and adding moisture, which contributes to the cookies’ soft texture.
- 1/3 cup butter (softened to room temperature): The butter adds richness and a wonderful buttery flavor, making these cookies truly melt-in-your-mouth. Ensuring it’s at room temperature is key for smooth mixing and a consistent dough.
- 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar): This is crucial for the signature crinkle effect. The generous coating of powdered sugar prevents the cookies from spreading too much and creates those beautiful cracks as they bake.
Super Simple 3-Step Process to Perfect Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Don’t let the delicious outcome fool you; these cookies are incredibly straightforward to make. Follow these three simple steps for a batch of sunshiny goodness:
Step 1: Mix Your Dough
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, the softened butter, and the two eggs. Mix until a soft, uniform dough forms. It’s that easy!
Step 2: Roll in Powdered Sugar
Take the cookie dough and roll it into 1-inch balls. Then, generously roll each dough ball in the confectioners’ sugar, ensuring it’s thoroughly coated. This thick coating is what creates those characteristic beautiful crinkles as the cookies bake!
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Place the coated cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared cookie sheets. Bake them in a preheated oven until they’re lightly golden and those lovely crinkles have formed. Don’t overbake to keep them soft!
Tips for Baking the Best Lemon Crinkle Cookies
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Always ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps them incorporate smoothly into the cake mix, creating a uniform dough and a better texture in the final cookie.
- Generous Powdered Sugar Coating: Don’t be shy with the powdered sugar! A thick, even coating is essential for achieving those prominent crinkles. Some bakers even double-roll the dough, first in granulated sugar (to absorb excess moisture), then in powdered sugar, for an extra-defined crinkle.
- Do Not Overbake: These cookies are meant to be soft and chewy. They should be just lightly golden around the edges, and the centers might still look a little soft when you pull them out of the oven. They will set as they cool. Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly cookies.
- Proper Cooling: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking.
- Zest for Extra Flavor: For an even more intense lemon flavor, consider adding 1-2 teaspoons of fresh lemon zest to the dough along with the other ingredients.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
These lemon crinkle cookies are delightful on their own, perhaps with a cup of tea or coffee, or a glass of cold milk. They’re also perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or as a bright addition to holiday cookie platters. Their vibrant flavor makes them a refreshing treat during warmer months and a welcome burst of sunshine during colder seasons.
For storage, keep your lemon crinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. To prevent the powdered sugar from clumping or absorbing moisture, place sheets of waxed paper between layers of cookies. They will stay fresh and soft for up to 3-4 days. Because the powdered sugar coating can get wet and sticky upon thawing, I do not recommend freezing these cookies after baking. If you want to prepare ahead, you can freeze the unbaked dough balls (without the powdered sugar coating), then thaw slightly, roll in sugar, and bake as directed.
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1 15.25 ounce package lemon cake mix
- 1/3 cup butter (softened to room temperature)
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and line a sheet pan with a Silpat baking liner or parchment paper.
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In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, softened butter, and 2 eggs. Mix thoroughly until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
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Roll the cookie dough into 1-inch balls. Place the powdered sugar in a shallow dish, and then roll each dough ball generously in the powdered sugar, ensuring each cookie is completely and thickly coated. This step is key for the crinkle effect!
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Place the coated dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly set and the cookies have developed their characteristic crinkles. Avoid overbaking to maintain a soft interior.
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After removing from the oven, let the cookies rest on the cookie sheet for 3 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Store in an airtight container between layers of waxed paper for best results and to prevent the powdered sugar from sticking.
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This recipe for Lemon Crinkle Cookies was first published on January 19, 2017. It was thoroughly updated and republished on February 4, 2021, with fresh photos, enhanced tips, and expanded content to provide even more value and guidance to our readers.