These orange drop cookies have that bright and fresh citrus taste that you love! The vanilla cookie base is made using box cake mix and is enhanced with orange extract. Topped with an orange glaze and orange zest, this recipe is perfect for your next summer BBQ!
Summer is officially here! I can say this with authority now that I have switched to my summer wardrobe. There's plenty to love about summer. I welcome the warm lingering nights, fresh fruits from the farmers market, and the occasional trip to Dairy Queen for a pineapple sundae. It’s the season wholly devoted to leisure and good times with the people you love.
Why you'll love this recipe
The Sweet Precision kitchen always slows down a little during the summer months. But these citrus-infused cookies were a recipe I wanted to share with you right away. These cookies are a great addition to your baking repertoire when you need a quick and easy dessert. I'm in love with the glaze, which uses fresh orange juice and zest.
The cookies look so unique that people might think you slaved away in the kitchen to create these little delicacies. No one needs to know your secret… which is that all you need is a box of vanilla cake mix! I made this recipe for a summer picnic when I didn't have time to pull something elaborate together, and they were a hit!
Key ingredients and why we use them
Orange Zest: This citrus-packed superpower ingredient gives these cookies the tangy taste of summertime. If you don't have orange zest, don't fear! Simply use one of these orange zest substitutions.
Box Cake Mix: This ingredient is the ticket to making these cookies quick and easy. Choose your favorite brand for the best flavor. I love Duncan Hines white cake mix.
Heather's Helpful Hints
Be sure to cool your baking sheets between baking batches of cookies. To cool your cookie pans in a hurry, run them under cold water and then wipe them dry before using them.
Try these other cookie recipes
If you loved these orange drop cookies, try some more of our popular My Sweet Precision cookie recipes!
Recipe
Orange Drop Cookies
Equipment
- 19 x 13-inch half-sheet baking pan
Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- 2 eggs large
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ teaspoon orange extract
Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice or as needed
- ¼ teaspoon grated orange zest
Instructions
- Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F.
- Pour cake mix into a large bowl. Stir in eggs and oil until well blended. Place dough in refrigerator for approximately one hour.
- Remove dough from refrigerator. Shape teaspoonfuls of dough into small balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. The bottoms will be light brown, and the insides chewy. Cool completely on a cookie rack.
- Meanwhile, mix confectioners' sugar, orange zest, and orange juice in a medium mixing bowl. Drizzle over cookies and garnish with leftover orange zest, if desired.
Notes and Tips
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?! First, let me say THANK YOU for giving it a try!
Please leave us a rating and feedback in the comments section at the bottom of this post. I always love to hear your thoughts and ideas on what went well — and didn't — with a recipe!
Happy Baking!
Heather
Sherri
How did I miss these beauties? The perfect summer cookie I would say and I can get vanilla cake mix (just not the white!). What a great tip, I've never heard of cookies made out of cake mix and the glaze sounds so delicious and light. I will also be slowing right down with blogging in a couple of weeks to get my memoir finished - oh I hope!! You're right, the summer months are for spending time out and about with loved ones. Although, here in England, I hope we get a stop to the rain, dreadful flooding in parts. We do need the rain, but the balance never seems right lately does it, the world over? Too much or lack of... Whatever the weather in your part of the world my friend, I hope you are having a great summer so far! :-) xoxo
Heather @ Sweet Precision
It's been so fun to watch you on your journey writing your memoir Sherri! Such dedication and discipline I've seen on your part. Will you be publishing the finished product so that your followers can read it? I would really look forward to that as I enjoy your writing so much! And yes, we've been having a rather dry start to our summer here. There have even been quite a few forest fires out west. Never seems to be quite the right balance these days.
Sherri
Ahh...thank you so much Heather! I don't feel very disciplined some days though! I want to try and get published traditionally and am starting to research agents and publishers. That is my goal and my dream. Knowing you want to read my book is such a thrill, I am truly honoured! You've been such an amazing support all this time Heather, I can't thank you enough! I heard about the forest fires out west. It's been wet and muddy here, but better today. As you say, the balance is so out of wack. Have a good week my friend...I'll be around blogland land this week before signing off to get this memoir finished once and for all!!! xxxx
Heather @ Sweet Precision
What a fascinating journey you are on with your memoir Sherri. Such fun to be a bystander along the way. I can only imagine that there are many people who dream of doing what you are, but very few that actually follow through. I don't know the first thing about the publishing process aside from what I've seen in movies! It seems as though it would be quite the adventure though! Here's to continued progress when you start back up again next week!!
Sherri
Thank you so much Heather. Your support means the world to me. I am so close to sabotaging myself though...self doubt, crisis of confidence, feeling of 'I can't do this!!!' It isn't easy that's for sure. But it is my dream, you're right, and I have to push through and do this!!! I've just put up my last post for while as you'll read. I've decided to take a break until September so I can spend time helping my daughter, with family and getting the memoir finished. I'll keep in touch with you though over on FB. I hope your week is going well my friend...been great chatting with you! :-) xoxo
This Cake is Desi
Our summer here tends to be on the hot side so we always look forward to days when it rains. It's easier to go into the kitchen. also as you can tell, I'm a bit lazy when it comes to following up on my amazing fellow bloggers but I'm glad that I did. These look so good!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Oh yes, baking in the summer can be the WORST! I was just googling no-bake recipes this past week because it's been warmer here lately. It seems like a crime to turn on the oven when it's 90 degrees outside! So glad that you're finding time to do some catching up :) Life gets so busy sometimes, doesn't it?!
CakePants
I never thought to use cake mix for cookies! These look fantastic - they look so elegant with the glaze and brightly colored orange zest on top!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you! I heard about the recipe from a fellow baker and was somewhat skeptical. I tucked the recipe away for about a year and finally decided to give it a try! I'm kinda looking forward to trying out some different flavor combinations!
Just Add Attitude
It's good to hear you are enjoying the summer. I too like the lingering nights and always feel sad when the days begin to shorten. Pineapple sundae sounds tempting - I wonder where I could find one in Dublin! The cookies look lovely, I have a special fondness for recipes that are simple and where the result looks like it took hours to make! Enjoy the summer and all that comes with it. ????✨
Heather @ Sweet Precision
We're in the same boat B! The "perfect" dessert (in my opinion) is one that tastes good, requires minimal preparation, and looks great :) I hope that you're enjoying the beginning to summer as well. I loved hearing about your Italy vacation- it sounded fantastic. Hope you have a chance to do some more traveling during these warmer months!
Jess
I love the addition of orange in these cookies Heather. They're very pretty looking as well :-)
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thanks Jess!
Mom
You know I like an easy recipe and that would be this one. They look so refreshing....I am very hungry right now for one......or two!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
It doesn't get any easier than this! I was a little disappointed that there weren't any to bring back home after the picnic!
Antonia
These look delicious Heather! I love vanilla and orange together and it is so interesting that they are made with cake mix. My mother-in-law loves this flavor combo...I will have to make them for her :) Happy summer!!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Happy summer to you too Antonia! I was a little skeptical of the "cake mix turns into cookies" idea but it's a fun time saver when you just don't have lots of time. I made some lemon cookies as well that also turned out well. I think the combinations could be endless!
apuginthekitchen
Beautiful cookies Heather, they look positively ethereal. Love anything with orange,
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thanks Suzanne!