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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Lemon Cool Whip Cookies

    Published: Jan 19, 2025 · Modified: May 14, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    Lemon Cool Whip Cookies are a quick and easy dessert that makes party hosting easier than ever. They are cute, budget-friendly, and delicious. If you haven’t made cookies from cake mix, now is the time to start! It’s one of my favorite baking hacks that I use often to make the perfect soft and fluffy cookie.

    A plate with a stack of 4 lemon cool whip cookies with one leaning against them in the front.
    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Cool Whip Lemon Cookie Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • How to Make Lemon Crinkle Cookies With Cake Mix
    • Recipe Tips
    • Storage Directions 
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Delicious Lemon Recipes
    • Lemon Cool Whip Cookies

    I love the subtle lemon flavor you get from the cake mix, and the light citrus reminds me of spring! The Cool Whip keeps the cookies perfectly soft, while the powdered sugar creates the best lemon crinkle cookies. This is one of my favorite treats!

    If you like Cool Whip dessert recipes, you will love Chocolate Cool Whip Candy, Cool Whip Cake Mix Cookies and Jello Cool Whip Pie.

    Why You’ll Love This Cool Whip Lemon Cookie Recipe

    • There are only 4 ingredients: You only need 4 easy-to-find items to make lemon cake mix cookies with Cool Whip.
    • It’s easy to double: Making these cookies for a crowd? It’s super simple to double or even triple the recipe.
    • You can customize it easily: Since this recipe includes so few ingredients, it takes no effort to customize it and make it your own.

    Ingredients

    Here are all of the items you’ll need to make these easy lemon cookies with Cool Whip. Check out your local grocery store — you can find these things all year!

    Ingredients for making lemon cool whip cookies arranged on a marble surface.
    • Lemon cake mix: Use any brand of lemon cake mix that you prefer. You won’t be using the package directions to prepare them, so just ensure it’s big enough to make a 9x13 cake. 
    • Egg: I add one egg for the structure of the cookies. Ensure it is at room temperature so it incorporates with the other ingredients better.
    • Whipped topping: I use the Cool Whip brand but you can use any brand of whipped topping in the frozen aisle at your local grocery store.
    • Powdered sugar: The cookies are rolled in powdered sugar before baking to create the classic crinkle.

    See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

    Variations

    • Chocolate: Choose your favorite chocolate cake mix and make chocolate Cool Whip cookies.
    • Vanilla: Try this recipe with vanilla cake (or any basic white or yellow cake mix) for a simple flavor profile.
    • Lemon blueberry: Fold in some fresh blueberries for pops of color and tart flavor.

    How to Make Lemon Crinkle Cookies With Cake Mix

    Here are the instructions on how to make these simple lemon cookies with Cool Whip. Once the cookie dough has been chilled, preheat your oven to 350° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Ingredients for lemon cool whip cookies in a clear mixing bowl before combining.

    Step 1: Combine the ingredients and chill. Add the cake mix, egg, and Cool Whip to a mixing bowl. Stir until the ingredients are well combined, and place the bowl in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

    A hand holding a small ball of yellow lemon dough, with more dough for blurred in the background.

    Step 2: Roll into balls. After the dough has chilled, scoop and form it into 1-1 ½ inch balls.

    A cookie dough ball sitting in a small glass bowl filled with powdered sugar.

    Step 3: Coat them in sugar. Lightly and carefully coat each dough ball in a small bowl of powdered sugar.

    Cookie dough balls on a baking sheet before baking.

    Step 4: Bake. Place the cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet and bake them for about 10 minutes.

    Cookies on a baking sheet after baking.

    Step 5: Serve. Allow the lemon cookies to cool for a few minutes and then enjoy!

    Recipe Tips

    • Don’t overbake the cookies: The centers will be soft when they’ve finished baking. Overbaking can cause the cookies to become dry and crumbly.
    • Don’t overwork the dough: Mix the cookie dough until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can result in a tough texture.
    • Make the dough ahead: Prepare the lemon cake cookie dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake.
    • Cool on the pan: I recommend letting the cookies cool on the pan for a couple of minutes and then transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

    If you love easy cookie recipes like this one, you may also enjoy my Cake Mix Cool Whip Cookies.

    A hand holding an open lemon cookie showing the inside with a stack of more cookies below.

    Storage Directions 

    • Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. You can also place them in a freezer-safe bag and freeze them for up to 2 months.
    • Make Ahead: Since the dough needs time to chill, I like to make it up to 24 hours in advance (especially if they’re for a party). Then, I’ll scoop and bake them the next day.

    Serving Suggestions

    • You can even make an ice cream sandwich. Try using our Fruity Pebbles ice cream or strawberry crunch ice cream to make uniquely flavored combinations.
    • Make these alongside other easy cake mix cookies like my cake mix cookie bars and these pumpkin cake mix cookies.
    • Pair it with a scoop of basic, yet fun sprinkles ice cream.
    A stack of 4 lemon crinkle cookies on a polka dot plate with lemon wedges on the side.

    Recipe FAQs

    Why is the dough so sticky?

    It’s normal for the dough to be pretty sticky. If it's too hard to work with, place it back into the refrigerator for a little longer to make it less sticky and easier to handle.

    Can I intensify the lemon flavor?

    Add some lemon zest to the cookie dough, and then top the lemon cake and Cool Whip cookies with a simple lemon glaze made with powdered sugar and lemon juice.

    Can I use whipped cream?

    Whipped cream and Cool Whip are not the same. You must use whipped topping or the “dough” will be very wet and watery.

    A hand holding a lemon cool whip cookie with a stack of  more cookies in the background.

    More Delicious Lemon Recipes

    • A mini lemon bundt cake on a white plate with lemon slices and yellow flowers.
      Mini Lemon Bundt Cakes
    • Stacked lemon brownies with a bite taken out of the top one, showing their moist and dense texture, topped with a thin layer of glaze.
      Lemon Brownies
    • Air fryer hand pies on a plate ready to eat.
      Air Fryer Lemon Hand Pies
    • Simple Lemon Pudding Cake
      Simple Lemon Pudding Cake

    If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!

    A lemon cool whip cookie being held up between two fingers with more cookies partially visible in the background.

    Lemon Cool Whip Cookies

    Karin and Ken
    This recipe for Lemon Cool Whip Cookies consists of 4 simple ingredients including store-bought cake mix, Cool Whip, and powdered sugar for a crinkle effect.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Chill Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 18
    Calories 113 kcal

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • rimmed baking sheet
    • Parchment paper
    • large bowl
    • spatula
    • small bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 15.25-ounce box Lemon cake mix for 9x13-inch cake
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 ½ cups whipped topping
    • ¼ cup powdered sugar
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, egg, and whipped topping until smooth.
    • Cover and refrigerate dough for 30 minutes.
    • Preheat oven to 350°F.
    • Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.
    • Form 1 to 1 1⁄2 inch balls of dough.
    • Roll each dough ball into the powdered sugar and place them on your prepared baking sheet.
    • Bake cookies for 10 minutes. They may appear a little soft in the middle, but be sure not to overbake them.

    Video

    Notes

    • It's normal if the centers are still a bit soft when the cookies are ready. Be sure to not overbake as they may become dry and crumbly.
    • You can prepare the lemon cake cookie dough ahead of time and store the in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake.
    • You can easily change the flavor of these cookies by swapping the flavor of cake mix. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 113kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 183mgPotassium: 21mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 20IUCalcium: 57mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword lemon cool whip cookies
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post was originally published in January 2017. It's been updated with new content and images.

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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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