Cake Mix Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
These chewy lemon thumbprint cookies start with a cake mix and are easy to make with your favorite jam filling!

Jam-Filled Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
These lemon cake mix thumbprint cookies are delightfully soft and chewy with a burst of zesty lemon flavor in every bite, complemented by a sweet and tangy jam filling nestled in the center.
Their crunchy, sugar-dusted golden exterior, adorned with a vibrant jam jewel, makes for a visually appealing treat that’s both refreshing and irresistible. It’s perfect for serving at a party or giving as a thoughtful homemade gift.
While they are undeniably bursting with the flavors of summer, I personally cannot wait to include these in our Christmas Cookie tins that we gift to friends and family every year.
And of course, like most of the recipes on our website, these cake mix cookies are super easy for kids to either help make or make independently (depending on their age and level of kitchen skill).

Ingredients
- 1 box Lemon Cake Mix
- 2 Eggs
- 1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
- 1/3 cup White Sugar
- 1/2 cup Jam of choice
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
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- Electric Mixer <– this is a great hand mixer if you don’t want to make the investment into a stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Medium-sized mixing bowl
- Cookie Sheet <– you will want two so you can bake one tray while the other is cooling
- Parchment paper or Silicone Baking Mats
- Cookie scoop

Instructions
To Prep: Preheat oven to 350F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat together the cake mix, eggs and vegetable oil until smooth and completely combined, about 2 minutes.

Place the white sugar in a small bowl.
Use a 1 1/2 Tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the cookie batter and roll the cookie dough balls in the sugar until completely coated.

Place the coated cookie dough balls at least 3″ apart on the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden and spread out. Use the back of a spoon while the cookies are still warm, to gently make an indentation in the center of each cookie.
Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then move to a cooling rack. Once the cookies have cooled, fill the middle with your favorite flavor of jam.

Yield: Makes 20.
Lemon Cake Mix Cookie Variations:
- Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies: For a fun twist, you can use a strawberry cake mix for the cookies and fill them with lemon curd
- Lemon Blueberry Thumbprint Cookies: Mix in 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries into the dough for a burst of flavor.
- Lemon Lavender Thumbprint Cookies: Add 1 tablespoon of culinary lavender to the dough for a subtle floral note.
- Lemon Coconut Thumbprint Cookies: Mix in 1/2 cup of shredded coconut into the dough or roll the cookie dough balls in shredded coconut instead of white sugar.
- Lemon Almond Thumbprint Cookies: Add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract to the dough for a richer flavor.
- Lemon Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies: Beat 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup of powdered sugar until smooth. Use this mixture for the thumbprint filling instead of jam.
- Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies: Spoon lemon curd into the thumbprints before baking for a tangy and rich filling.
- Lemon White Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies: Add 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips to the dough for a sweet and creamy addition. After baking, fill the thumbprints with a dollop of lemon curd or lemon-flavored white chocolate ganache.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies ahead of time and freeze them?
Yes, once the cookies have cooled completely, you can store them in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Avoid overmixing the dough as a first step and ensure that the oven is fully preheated before putting the cookies in the oven. If you still experience issues, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
How long will these cookies stay fresh?
These cookies are best enjoyed within 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. After that, they may start to lose their freshness and texture.

More Delicious Recipes that Start with a Cake Mix:
- Strawberry Soda Cupcakes
- Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
- Cake Mix Sugar Cookies
- Cake Mix “Zombie Gut” Cinnamon Rolls
- Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls from The Soccer Mom Blog
- Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cupcakes from Sugar, Spice and Glitter
Cake Mix Lemon Thumbprint Cookie Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)
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Cake Mix Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

These chewy lemon thumbprint cookies start with a cake mix and are easy to make with your favorite jam filling!
Ingredients
- 1 box Lemon Cake Mix
- 2 Eggs
- 1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
- 1/3 cup White Sugar
- 1/2 cup Jam of choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together the cake mix, eggs and vegetable oil until smooth and completely combined, about 2 minutes.
- Place the white sugar in a small bowl.
- Use a 1 1/2 Tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the cookie batter and roll the cookie dough balls in the sugar until completely coated.
- Place the coated cookie dough balls at least 3" apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden and spread out.
- While cookies are still warm, gently use the back of a cookie scoop to make an indentation in the center of each cookie.
- Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.
- When cookies are cool, fill with your favorite flavor of jam.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
20Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 172Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 200mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 0gSugar: 19gProtein: 2g
Pin this Easy Lemon Thumbprint Cookie on Pinterest for your next lemon dessert craving:

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