I still remember chasing the ice cream truck down the street just to get my hands on that classic orange and vanilla bar. These Orange Creamsicle Cookies capture that exact nostalgic flavor in a soft, chewy treat that transports me right back to childhood summers.
Using a simple cake mix base makes this recipe incredibly fast to whip up whenever a citrus craving hits. You get all the bright zestiness of fresh oranges paired with creamy white chocolate for the ultimate warm-weather dessert.
What Makes This Orange Creamsicle Cookies Recipe Special

The texture is perfectly pillowy and soft thanks to the cake mix foundation. It feels like eating the top of a muffin but with the convenient handheld shape of a cookie.
You only need a handful of pantry staples to pull this together, which saves a trip to the store. The addition of orange gelatin gives them a vibrant hue that looks stunning on any dessert platter.
White chocolate chips add little pockets of milky sweetness that balance the tart citrus notes beautifully. It is a crowd-pleaser that works just as well for a pool party as it does for a holiday cookie exchange.
If you enjoyed this fruity treat, you have to try my Quick Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie Recipe for another simple dessert. I also recommend baking a batch of the Savory Molasses Cookies Recipe when you want something with deeper, cozier spices.
Everything You Need for Perfect Orange Creamsicle Cookies

Gather these simple items to create your citrusy treats:
- White Cake Mix – Use your preferred brand of standard white cake mix as the dry base for the dough.
- Orange Gelatin – A small box of orange gelatin powder adds intense fruit flavor and that signature bright color.
- Orange Zest – Freshly grated peel provides the essential natural oils for a bright, authentic aroma.
- Fresh Orange Juice – Squeezing the juice from the orange you zested adds necessary liquid and acidity.
- Vanilla Extract – Pure vanilla brings that classic “cream” element to the flavor profile.
- Unsalted Butter – Softened butter binds everything together and adds a rich mouthfeel.
- Eggs – Large eggs help structure the dough and keep the texture fluffy and light.
- White Chocolate Chips – High-quality chips mimic the vanilla ice cream center of the classic popsicle.
Step-by-Step Orange Creamsicle Cookies Instructions

Here is the easy method to get these baking in your oven:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F so it is ready to go when you are done mixing. Take two large baking sheets and line them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure the bottoms don’t brown too quickly.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the dry white cake mix, the box of orange gelatin powder, and the fresh orange zest. Whisk these dry ingredients together gently by hand or on the lowest setting just until the orange color is evenly distributed throughout the white mix.
- Add the wet ingredients, including the fresh orange juice, vanilla extract, softened butter, and room-temperature eggs to the bowl. Turn the mixer to low speed and blend everything until a soft, uniform dough forms, ensuring there are no pockets of dry flour left at the bottom.
- Keep the mixer on the lowest speed or switch to a spatula to gently fold in the white chocolate chips. You want to distribute them evenly throughout the Orange Creamsicle Cookies dough without crushing the chips or overworking the batter.
- Use a 2-inch cookie scoop to portion out the dough into round balls. Place them on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each one to allow for spreading during the baking process.
- Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, keeping a close eye on them near the end. You are looking for the edges to turn a very light golden color while the centers remain soft; let them cool completely on the pan to set before serving.
My Best Tips for Perfect Orange Creamsicle Cookies

Always zest your oranges before you juice them to avoid a messy struggle with slippery fruit. Using a microplane allows you to get fine zest that distributes evenly throughout the Orange Creamsicle Cookies dough.
Make sure your butter is fully softened to room temperature so it incorporates smoothly without leaving lumps. Cold ingredients can prevent the dough from coming together properly and affect the final pillowy texture.
Keep an eye on the oven as these can go from perfect to overdone very quickly. The Orange Creamsicle Cookies should look set on the edges but still slightly soft in the center when you pull them out.
Best Ways to Enjoy Orange Creamsicle Cookies
I love arranging these on a bright white platter alongside fresh citrus slices for a pop of color. They pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
These treats are sturdy enough to pack for picnics or tuck into lunchboxes for a midday surprise. You can also crumble one over a bowl of yogurt for a fun breakfast twist that kids adore.
Make sure to follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes!
Print
Orange Creamsicle Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 26 min
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft and chewy orange cookies made with cake mix and white chocolate chips, tasting just like the classic summer popsicle.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 15.25 oz white cake mix
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 oz orange Jello (1 small box)
- 3 tbsp fresh orange zest
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for the cookies.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk together the white cake mix, orange Jello powder, and fresh orange zest until combined.
- Add the orange juice, vanilla extract, softened butter, and eggs to the dry mixture, blending on low speed until a smooth dough forms.
- Gently fold in the white chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Use a 2-inch cookie scoop to form dough balls and place them on the baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are faintly golden, then allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet to set.
Notes
Ensure you use fresh orange juice for the best flavor. If using salted butter, omit any pinch of salt. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cooling Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 11 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 32mg
Keywords: Orange Creamsicle Cookies, orange cake mix cookies, summer dessert, easy orange cookies
