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Chewy and Refreshing Lime Cake Mix Cookies

Mmm, lime cookies. Not the first flavor most of us reach for, but definitely a unique treat! Using yellow cake mix and a box of lime gelatin, you can make these soft and chewy lime cookies whenever a limey craving strikes.

These citrusy green cookies are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, the holiday season, or all throughout spring. So, basically, all year! Lime lovers will enjoy sinking their teeth into these cake mix cookies for any reason at all.

Lime cookies in a pile on a plate.

Lime Cookies Made with Cake Mix

I say it all the time; cake mix cookies are delicious! I love the soft and chewy texture, and the fact that you can mix and match cake mix and gelatin flavors to create all sorts of delicious flavor combos.

The option to use gluten-free cake mix is helpful for many, as well. If you’re looking for a recipe to make green cookies, give this one a try. The lime cookie with the white chocolate drizzle creates quite the irresistible flavor and texture profile.

If you can’t get enough of that lime flavor, be sure to give this key lime pie a try next. With only 3 ingredients, it’s another quick and easy dessert that’s perfect for spring! If you prefer bite-sized, here is an easy recipe for key lime pie cookies.

Reasons to Love this Cookie Recipe

  • Texture: The soft and chewy texture of these lime cake mix cookies is something you’ll crave.
  • Flavor: The zesty lime flavor is refreshing and unique. The burst of citrus flavor is a nice surprise in a cookie.
  • Easy: With only a few simple ingredients, these cookies are pretty easy to make.
  • Gluten-free: It’s quite easy to make this recipe gluten-free should you choose.
  • Color: The fun green color of these cookies makes them great for parties. St. Patrick’s Day, baby showers, Christmas, or whenever you need a pastel green dessert, give these a try.
Butter, chips, egg, cake mix, box of gelatin.

Cake Mix Lime Cookies Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this lime cookie recipe. The measurements are in the recipe card below.

  • Yellow cake mix (feel free to use gluten-free)
  • Small box of lime gelatin
  • Butter, softened
  • Cream cheese, softened
  • Large egg
  • White chocolate chips
  • Rainbow nonpareils (optional)

Lime Cookies Directions

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it with nonstick spray.

Cake mix, gelatin, butter, and cream cheese in a bowl.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free cake mix, lime gelatin mix, softened butter, softened cream cheese, and egg.

Green cake mix in a bowl with a mixer.

Use a hand mixer on medium speed to blend the ingredients until a smooth and cohesive dough forms.

Cake mix dough balls on a baking sheet.

Use a measuring tablespoon to scoop out the dough and roll it into small balls. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a few inches of space in between each one.

Flattened green cookie dough on a baking sheet.

To flatten the dough balls, you can use the palm of your hand or the bottom of a flat glass. Gently press down on each ball until it forms a round disc.

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the cookies are set.

Once the cookies are done baking, use a spatula to carefully transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Be careful not to break them or let them stick to each other.

Melted white chocolate in a bowl with a spoon.

To add an extra layer of sweetness to your cookies, you can melt some white chocolate chips in the microwave. Simply add the white chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave them on 50% power until they’re fully melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Once melted, transfer the white chocolate to a sandwich bag and snip off a small corner of the bag.

White chocolate drizzle over lime cake mix cookies.

Use the bag to drizzle the white chocolate in a back-and-forth pattern over the top of each cookie.

Nonpareils sprinkled onto lime cookies.

For an extra pop of color and fun, you can sprinkle some rainbow nonpareils on top of the white chocolate drizzle. This is totally optional, but it can make your cookies even more festive and delightful.

Lime cake mix cookies with sprinkles on a plate.

Once the white chocolate drizzle and rainbow sprinkles are added, let the cookies sit for a few minutes to allow the chocolate to harden.

Then, serve and enjoy your delicious lime cake mix cookies!

Green cookies with sprinkles. One sitting on a shamrock decoration.

St. Patrick’s Day Dessert Ideas to Include

If you are making these lime cookies for a St. Patrick’s Day bash, here are more ideas to add to your dessert table.

  • Pot of Gold Cupcakes: These green velvet cupcakes are stuffed with treasure! Bite into a sprinkly surprise filling with these fun green cupcakes.
  • Pistachio Kiss Cookies: Another delicious green cookie, this recipe adds pudding to the mix. Enjoy a soft and tasty cookie with an irresistible chocolate kiss in the middle.
  • Gluten-free Pistachio Brownies: These green brownies contain avocado and pistachios for a unique and semi-nutritious dessert.
  • Rainbow Popcorn: To break up all the green color, add a whole rainbow of delicious popcorn.
  • Rainbow Bark Candy: Another easy recipe, this rainbow bark candy is another colorful sweet treat that’s fun to make.

Recipe Swaps and Variations

  • Lime zest: Want even more lime flavor? Try adding some freshly grated lime zest to the cookie dough.
  • Gelatin: You can try to use lemon or orange gelatin if you need to substitute the lime for some reason. This will give the cookies a different color and flavor, but should still be citrusy and delicious.
  • Cream cheese frosting: If the white chocolate drizzle doesn’t sound good to you, consider frosting the cookies with cream cheese frosting instead.
  • Chips: Swap the white chocolate chips for dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
  • Nuts: For some added crunch and texture, fold in some chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, to the cookie dough.
  • Sprinkles: Instead of using rainbow nonpareils, use any other type of sprinkle you like. Gold, green, or even red for the holiday season would be fun.

Kitchen Tools Needed

You will need the following tools to make this recipe:

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking sheet
  • Microwave-safe bowl – or a way to melt the chips.
  • Sandwich bag – or a piping bag or a spoon to drizzle the melted chocolate.
Pile of green cake mix cookies on a plate.

How to Store Leftover Lime Cookies

Store the lime cake mix cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months.

Recipe Notes and FAQ

Notes:

  • If you can’t find gluten-free cake mix, you can use regular yellow cake mix instead.
  • For a stronger lime flavor, you can add a teaspoon of lime extract or freshly grated lime zest to the cookie dough.
  • If you don’t have white chocolate chips, you can use other types of chips, such as milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips.
  • The dough for these cookies can be a bit sticky, so you may want to chill it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before rolling it into balls.

Can I skip the white chocolate drizzle?

Yes, the white chocolate drizzle is optional. If you prefer not to use it, you can simply fold the white chocolate chips into the cookie dough.

Can I use a different type of gelatin?

Yes, you can experiment with different types of gelatin to change the flavor of the cookies. Lemon or orange gelatin would work well as citrusy substitutions.

Can I make these cookies without a hand mixer?

Yes, you can mix the dough by hand if you don’t have a hand mixer. Just be sure to mix it well to get a smooth and cohesive dough.

Yield: 2 dozen

Lime Cake Mix Cookies

Lime cookies in a pile on a plate.

Enjoy a burst of tangy and refreshing flavor with these easy and chewy lime cake mix cookies. With simple ingredients and a quick prep time, they're a perfect treat for any occasion!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 17 oz box yellow cake mix, gluten-free if you choose
  • 1 3 oz small box lime gelatin
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • Optional: rainbow sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine yellow cake mix, lime gelatin mix, softened butter, cream cheese, and egg. Use a hand mixer on medium speed to blend the ingredients until well combined.
  3. Use a measuring tablespoon to scoop the dough and roll it into balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet and gently flatten them with the palm of your hand or a flat glass.
  4. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Use a spatula to transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
  5. Once the cookies are cooled, make the white chocolate drizzle by melting the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl on 50% power. Stir the chocolate every 30 seconds until it is completely melted. Transfer the melted chocolate to a sandwich bag and snip off a small corner of the bag. Drizzle the chocolate over the cookies in a back and forth pattern.
  6. For a fun touch, sprinkle rainbow sprinkles over the top of the cookies. Enjoy!

Notes

  • For a simpler variation, try folding the white chocolate chips directly into the cookie dough instead of adding a white chocolate drizzle. This will save you time and still give the cookies a delicious and sweet texture.
  • Once these cookies have cooled, they have a delightfully chewy texture that is sure to please any cookie lover. And with just a hint of tangy lime flavor, they're a perfect balance of sweet and tart.
  • While these cookies make a great treat for St. Patrick's Day or Cinco de Mayo, they're also perfect for any occasion where you want a sweet and tangy dessert. Make them for birthdays, holidays, or just for a tasty afternoon snack!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 169Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 201mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 0gSugar: 13gProtein: 2g

Nutrition facts are an estimate only.

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Lime cookie with white chocolate drizzle and rainbow nonpareils on a plate.

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