Gluten-Free Lemon Cake Mix Cookies with Glaze
Soft, chewy cookies made from lemon cake mix and brightened with fresh lemon zest, topped with a tangy lemon glaze. These easy treats deliver bright citrus flavor with minimal effort, perfect for spring gatherings, potlucks, or when you want homemade cookies without the fuss. The cake mix base creates incredibly tender cookies while the zesty glaze adds bakery-style appeal.
Ingredients
- 1 box lemon cake mixvanilla cake mix + extra lemon zest1:1availability
less lemon flavor
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
- lemon zest, from 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 ½ tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven and line two baking sheets with parchment paper
- 2
Combine cake mix, baking powder, vegetable oil, lemon zest, and eggs until thick batter forms
- 3
Scoop dough onto baking sheets, leaving space between cookies
- 4
Bake until edges are set
- 5
Remove to cooling rack and cool completely
- 6
Whisk together powdered sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and cream for icing
- 7
Scoop icing onto center of cooled cookies, allowing it to pool and run down sides
- 8
Let icing form crust before serving
Tips
Use a cookie scoop for uniform size and even baking - larger scoops need 12-14 minutes versus 8-10 for regular size.
Let cookies cool completely before glazing to prevent the icing from melting and sliding off.
Allow glazed cookies to set until icing forms a crust for clean handling and serving.
Good to Know
Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week
Cookies can be baked 2 days ahead; glaze day of serving for best appearance
Serve at room temperature
Common Mistakes
Cool cookies completely to avoid melted, runny glaze
Don't overbake to avoid dry, crumbly cookies
Substitutions
less lemon flavor
FAQ
Can I make these without the glaze?
Yes, the cookies are delicious plain or you can dust them with powdered sugar instead of glazing.
How long do these cookies keep?
Store in an airtight container for up to one week at room temperature, though the glaze is best within first few days.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, scoop dough onto baking sheets, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 3 months.