A Box of Cake Mix...

Have you heard the news?  People, regular average Janes, are turning something as simple as a box of cake mix, into some amazing treats!  I know, right?!  Who woulda' thunk it?!  I thought cake mix made...well, cake.  Come to find out, you can make all sorts of yummy treats with that box.  And it's easy! 

So, I give you Browned Butter Lemon Cookies, two ways, made from a box of lemon cake mix (you could easily substitute any other flavor of cake mix...and subtract the lemon glaze and extract of course...chocolate cookies, strawberry, funfetti...the ideas are endless)!

Browned Butter Lemon Cookies

1 box of lemon cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup browned butter (to find out how to make browned butter, go HERE ).
Lemon extract (optional)

With Lemon Glaze:

sugar
powdered sugar
lemon juice

With Powdered Sugar:

powdered sugar

Gather up your ingredients (I was going to use shortening at first and then decided browned butter would be better...so ignore the shortening in the picture).  The cookie dough you make will be the same for both cookies.

 

 

Add the browned butter, eggs, and the optional lemon extract.  I love my lemon stuff to be really lemony, so I usually add extract for that extra kick.  Your choice.  Mix until all ingredients are incorporated and you have a soft dough.

 

Use a spoon and take 1/2 of the cookie dough and shape into balls.  Yes, you will have to get your hands a bit messy, but that's ok...you can lick off the excess dough and I won't tell a soul.

 

Pour some of the granulated sugar into a bowl and get a cup/glass with a flat bottom.  Dip the glass into the sugar (if you press the glass into one of the balls of cookie dough first, it will help the sugar stick to the bottom of the cup.  You should only need to do this for the very first cookie...after that, you won't have a problem with the sugar sticking).  Press down on the cookie ball to flatten the dough.  The flatter the cookie, the crunchier it will be (and less cooking time needed). 

 

Sprinkle some of the leftover sugar on top of the cookies and bake for 6-8 min (until edges are lightly browned) at 375F.

 

While the cookies are baking, make the glaze.  Take some powdered sugar (I didn't measure, but probably about 1/4 cup will work) and squeeze the juice from 1/2 a lemon.  Mix well until sugar is dissolved.  If you want more of an icing, adjust the ratios of powdered sugar to lemon juice...more sugar/less juice = icing...more juice/less sugar=glaze.  I chose glaze for mine.  Once the cookies are done backing, let them sit on the pan for a minute, then take them off to cool.  Once the cookies have cooled, add the icing/glaze and let harden.  Note...this icing is quite tart...I LOVE it!  Add more powdered sugar to make it sweeter if you like. 

 

 

Powdered Sugar Lemon Cookies

 

For the 2nd lemon cookie, take some powdered sugar (about 1/3 cup) and roll the balls of cookie dough in the sugar.  Make sure you coat them really well.  Bake them for about 8 min (until edges are browned and middle is set) at 375F.  As you can see in the last pic, the sugar will pretty much dissolve into the cookie as it bakes.  Just sprinkle with the leftover powdered sugar when finished.  These make more of a soft fluffy cookie while the flattened, glazed cookies will be more of a sugar cookie with a slight crunch.

 

Add some Mexican Hot Chocolate (get the recipe HERE ), and enjoy a warm treat on these chilly days.  Enjoy!

 

 

Happily Homemade

Sandra