Recipe: Sunshine Kisses

If there’s one thing that reminds me of summer and sunshine-filled days, it’s lemon cookies. I remember being young, running around in the backyard (barefoot of course), and being called into the house by my mom after she had baked a fresh batch of lemon cookies. I would guzzle two or three at a time right out of the oven; when they’re warm, they melt in your mouth and the lemon-y drizzle “zings” your tongue with happiness. And when they’ve cooled off a few days later, they’re just as addicting: they’re the perfect mix of soft and crunch, cake and cookie. Now that I’m older, I love making a steaming hot cup of coffee in the morning and drinking it alongside these lemon cookies for breakfast. It will seriously put a smile on your face and start your day off in the best way possible.

Like I said, my mom has been making these for YEARS – they are straight from one of her Pampered Chef cookbooks. And in the cookbook, they are named Sunshine Kisses, which is honestly the perfect way to describe them. They’re like a kiss of sunshine on your tongue.

Without further ado…

Sunshine Kisses (Lemon Cookies)

Ingredients:

  • For the cookies:
  • 1 package boxed lemon cake mix
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil (I used avocado oil)
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/3 cup pecans
  • For the glaze:
  • 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Recipe:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Combine cake mix, egg, oil and water in a mixing bowl and stir until thoroughly combined (mixture will be dry). Chop pecans with a food processor and stir into dough.
  3. Using a small stainless steel scoop, drop dough 2 inches apart on a baking sheet.
  4. Bake 10-13 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool for three minutes and transfer to a cooling rack.
  5. To make the glaze, remove 1 teaspoon of zest from the lemon and 2 tablespoons juice from the lemon. Whisk lemon zest, lemon juice and powdered sugar in a small mixing bow. Drizzle glaze on cooled cookies.

This recipe makes around 30 cookies. I made them over the weekend and the entire batch was gone in just two days. Oops. My husband has been begging me to make more this week! 🙂

Leave a Comment

9 Comments

  1. These look delicious! Such a great idea to swap out the vegetable oil and use avocado oil, love that!!! Saving this recipe!

    5.12.20Reply
  2. Looks so yummy!

    Briana
    https://b-wear.org/

    5.12.20Reply
  3. Sunshine Kisses – what an adorable name 🙂 These sound sooo yummy, I love half crispy, half soft cookies! And I like how these do not have a billion ingredients and the recipe overall sounds really simple. I am going to try these for sure! 🙂
    xx Janine
    https://walkinmysneaks.blogspot.com

    5.13.20Reply
  4. This cookie recipe is so easy and sounds like the perfect treat for summer!

    http://www.rdsobsessions.com

    5.13.20Reply
  5. Laura Leigh

    These look and sound soo yummy!!!! Thanks for sharing!

    xo Laura Leigh
    https://louellareese.com

    5.13.20Reply
  6. Shay

    I just made these! They are amaaaaazing, so addictive! Hubs and I both love them. Plus they were easy to make. Thank you so much for the recipe, we will be making these many more times!

    5.17.20Reply
    • So glad you loved them!!!! My husband has been begging me to make more 🙂

      5.18.20Reply
  7. Kimberly Clayton

    These are my favorite summer time cookies. I just made a batch and added shredded coconut when I add the pecans and it was delicious!!!!

    7.6.20Reply
  8. Julia

    I absolutely love these! Made them over a year ago when you had them on stories. Was just thinking about them and so glad you had them on your blog! Making them today! Thank you they are amazing

    5.13.22Reply