Colorful Orange Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Chips

If you grew up loving anything creamsicle-flavored, these cookies are going to make you smile. They’ve got that bright orange flavor mixed with a creamy sweetness that instantly feels nostalgic, but in cookie form. The best part is how simple they are to make, which means you can have something fun and homemade without spending all afternoon in the kitchen.

This is one of those recipes that’s perfect for baking with kids. There’s lots of mixing, scooping, and sneaking white chocolate chips along the way, and nothing has to look perfect. Using a cake mix keeps things easy and stress-free, but the cookies still come out soft, flavorful, and bakery-worthy.

They’re great for school events, holidays, or just a random day when everyone’s asking for something sweet. The kind of cookies that disappear quickly and get requested again before the pan has even cooled. If you’re looking for something fun, bright, and crowd-pleasing, this one checks all the boxes.

If you like this recipe then you’ll LOVE my other cookie recipes too!

Equipment

• Mixing bowl: Big enough to hold everything while you mix without worrying about ingredients flying everywhere.

• Hand mixer: Makes blending the dough quick and easy, especially when you’re working with cream cheese.

• Rubber spatula or spoon: Handy for scraping down the sides and folding in the white chocolate chips.

• Cookie scoop: Helps keep the cookies the same size so they bake evenly and look nice on the tray.

• Baking sheet: Your go-to for baking up soft, chewy cookies in batches.

• Parchment paper: Keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup so much easier.

Ingredients

• 1 (15.25 ounce) white cake mix: This keeps the recipe super easy while giving the cookies a soft, bakery-style texture.

• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder: Adds a little lift so the cookies bake up light instead of dense.

• 1 (3 ounce) box orange Jello: This is where that bright, creamsicle flavor and fun color really come from.

• ¼ cup vegetable oil: Helps keep the cookies moist and soft for days.

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened: Makes the dough rich, creamy, and extra soft in the middle.

• 1 cup white chocolate chips: Adds sweet, creamy pockets of chocolate in every bite.

Recipe Instructions

You can find a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Add the cake mix, baking powder, Jell-O mix, oil, and softened cream cheese to a large mixing bowl.

3. Use a hand mixer to blend everything together until the mixture forms soft, crumbly pieces that you can easily press together.

4. Gently knead the mixture into a smooth cookie dough, then work in the white chocolate chips.

5. Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, place six dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes. If you’d like, press a few extra white chocolate chips into the tops of the cookies right after they come out of the oven.

6. Repeat with the remaining dough until all the cookies are baked. Enjoy!

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Orange Creamsicle Cookies

• Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened. It mixes in so much easier and keeps the dough nice and smooth.

• Don’t overmix the dough. Once everything comes together, stop mixing so the cookies stay soft and tender.

• If the dough feels a little crumbly at first, don’t panic. Keep gently kneading and it will come together into a smooth dough.

• Use a cookie scoop for even baking. Same-size cookies means they all bake evenly and look great.

• Press a few extra white chocolate chips on top right after baking. It makes them look extra pretty and bakery-worthy.

• Watch the bake time closely. Pull them out when the centers still look slightly soft so they stay chewy once cooled.

Serving

• Serve them slightly warm or completely cooled. They’re delicious either way, but that soft center really shines when they’re just barely warm.

• Perfect for sharing. These are great for parties, school events, or setting out on a plate for family and friends.

• Pair them with a cold glass of milk. The creamy orange flavor and milk are such a good match.

• Great as a simple dessert. No frosting or extras needed, just grab one and enjoy.

• They look extra cute on a cookie platter. The bright color makes them stand out right away.

Storing

• Store leftovers in an airtight container. This keeps them soft and chewy instead of drying out.

• Keep them at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for several days this way.

• Place a piece of parchment between layers if stacking. It helps prevent sticking and keeps them looking nice.

• Avoid refrigerating if you can. The fridge can make them firmer than needed.

• If they start to firm up, a few seconds in the microwave helps. Just enough to bring back that soft texture.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, these cookies are a great make-ahead option. You can bake them a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature until you’re ready to serve.

Do these cookies need to be refrigerated?

Nope, refrigeration isn’t necessary. They stay soft and fresh at room temperature when stored properly, and refrigerating can actually make them firmer than you want.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, they freeze really well. Once baked and cooled, place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.

Can I freeze the cookie dough instead?

You can. Scoop the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time.

What makes these cookies taste like a creamsicle?

The combination of orange gelatin mix and cream cheese gives them that bright citrus flavor with a creamy, nostalgic twist.

Can I use a different flavor of Jello?

You can, but the flavor will change. Orange gives the classic creamsicle taste, while lemon or strawberry would create a completely different cookie.

Why is my dough crumbly at first?

That’s normal with cake mix doughs. Keep gently kneading and it will come together into a smooth, workable dough.

Are these cookies good for baking with kids?

Absolutely. The simple ingredients, easy mixing, and scooping make this a fun and low-stress recipe for little helpers.

Continue to Content

Yield: 29

Orange Creamsicle Cookies

Print

Soft, sweet, and full of bright orange flavor, these Orange Creamsicle Cookies are easy to make with cake mix and cream cheese for a fun, kid-friendly treat everyone loves.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 27 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 (15.25 ounce) White Cake Mix
• 1 ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1 (3 ounce) box Orange Jello
• ¼ cup Vegetable Oil
• 8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 cup White Chocolate Chips

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Add the cake mix, baking powder, Jell-O mix, oil, and softened cream cheese to a large mixing bowl.
3. Use a hand mixer to blend everything together until the mixture forms soft, crumbly pieces that you can easily press together.
4. Gently knead the mixture into a smooth cookie dough, then work in the white chocolate chips.
5. Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, place six dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes. If you’d like, press a few extra white chocolate chips into the tops of the cookies right after they come out of the oven.
6. Repeat with the remaining dough until all the cookies are baked. Enjoy!

Notes

• Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened so it mixes smoothly into the dough.
• The dough may seem crumbly at first, but keep kneading and it will come together.
• Don’t overbake. Pull the cookies out when the centers still look slightly soft for the best texture.
• Press a few extra white chocolate chips on top right after baking for a bakery-style look.
• Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and chewy.