Name: Creamsicle Cookies With White Chocolate Chips Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 15.25 ounce box vanilla cake mix (I used Betty Crocker Super Moist brand); 8 ounce block cream cheese, room temperature; ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 large egg; 1 tsp orange extract; ½ tsp orange gel food coloring; 11 ounce bag white chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli brand); ½ cup powdered sugar

Imagine biting into a cookie that bursts with bright, citrusy orange flavor, perfectly balanced by creamy white chocolate chips melting in your mouth. That’s exactly what you get with this Creamsicle Cookies With White Chocolate Chips Recipe — like a nostalgic summer treat in cookie form, but easy to bake anytime.

The image shows several round orange cookies with a cracked white powdered sugar layer on top, giving a cracked texture with bright orange peeking through. The cookies are placed on a white marbled surface, scattered with small white chocolate chips. There are also bright orange slices and wedges placed around the cookies, adding fresh color contrast. The overall scene looks fresh and inviting, with the cookies having a soft, slightly rough texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamsicle Cookies With White Chocolate Chips Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamsicle Cookies With White Chocolate Chips Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamsicle Cookies With White Chocolate Chips Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe quickly became one of my favorites because it combines the creamy tang of a classic creamsicle with the convenience of a cake mix base that anyone can handle. You don’t have to be a baking pro to pull these off beautifully.

Effortless flavor: The orange extract and gel food coloring bring that iconic creamsicle zing without any fuss.
Soft, chewy texture: Thanks to the cream cheese and butter blend, these cookies are deliciously tender.
White chocolate chips integration: These add bursts of sweet creaminess that complement the orange perfectly.
Pretty powdered sugar crackle: Not only does it make the cookies look irresistible, it adds a delicate sweetness and texture contrast.

A cracked cookie sits in the front center of the image on a white marbled surface. The cookie is light orange with white powdered sugar dusted on top, creating a cracked pattern across the surface. Behind the cookie, there is a white bowl filled with small, pale yellow chips that look smooth and rounded. In the blurred background, another similar bowl with chips and an orange sliced in half are partially visible. A few of the pale yellow chips are scattered around the cookie on the marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

I love how simple and accessible the ingredients are here, yet they come together to create something really special. Using a quality vanilla cake mix is key because it builds that soft crumb, while the cream cheese adds moisture and slight tang. Plus, that pop of orange flavor makes these cookies feel festive and bright.

Flat lay of a small mound of fine vanilla cake mix powder, a smooth block of cream cheese, a thick slice of unsalted butter, a single large clean brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl with bright orange gel food coloring, a small white ceramic bowl with clear orange extract liquid, a small pile of glossy white chocolate chips, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with powdered sugar, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Vanilla cake mix: Acts as the base with sweetness and structure, making the process a breeze.
Cream cheese: Adds richness and keeps the cookies soft and luscious.
Unsalted butter: Enhances flavor and texture without overpowering.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together perfectly.
Orange extract: Delivers that classic creamsicle flavor punch.
Orange gel food coloring: For vibrant color without watering down the dough.
White chocolate chips: Melt into creamy pockets, balancing the citrus.
Powdered sugar: Creates a beautiful crackled finish and adds sweetness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One thing I appreciate about this Creamsicle Cookies With White Chocolate Chips Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Feel free to play with the flavor intensity or add your own twist to make these cookies feel uniquely yours.

Variation: I once swapped half of the white chocolate chips for chopped candied orange peel, and it added a lovely chewy zing that complemented the creaminess beautifully.
Dietary tweak: You can try using dairy-free cream cheese and vegan white chocolate chips to make these suitable for dairy-free friends.
Seasonal change: Swap orange extract for lemon or lime for a citrus variation—just adjust the food coloring accordingly for fun looks.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamsicle Cookies With White Chocolate Chips Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Cream Cheese and Butter Together

Start by beating the cream cheese and unsalted butter at medium-low speed until you get a smooth mixture with no lumps—about 1 minute. I like to make sure my cream cheese is very soft, so sometimes I leave it out at room temperature for a bit beforehand. That step really helps the batter come together beautifully.

Step 2: Add Egg, Orange Extract, and Color

Next, add the egg, orange extract, and orange gel food coloring. Mix again for 1 to 2 minutes until everything is fully incorporated. The gel coloring is great because it stays bright without thinning out your dough. I learned the hard way that liquid food coloring can make it too wet, so gel is a must!

Step 3: Stir in the Cake Mix and White Chocolate Chips

Now, add the vanilla cake mix gradually at low speed. The batter will be very thick, which is perfect. Once mixed, fold in the white chocolate chips evenly. I find a wooden spoon works best here to avoid breaking the chips.

Step 4: Chill and Prepare to Bake

Use a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Chilling is key—it helps the cookies keep their shape and develop that crackly powdered sugar finish.

Step 5: Roll in Powdered Sugar and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Roll each chilled dough ball in powdered sugar and place them on another parchment-lined sheet, spaced out. Bake for 10-12 minutes until set but still soft in the middle. I love the slight crackle that forms—it’s like a sweet little surprise!

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. This step helps the cream cheese cookies firm up without losing their tender chew.

Top Tip

From my experience making this recipe a few times, these tips can really make your cookies turn out just right — fluffy yet chewy, bright with that creamsicle zing.

Use room temperature cream cheese: This avoids lumps and ensures a silky batter.
Gel food coloring only: Keeps your dough the perfect consistency and vibrant orange without dilution.
Don’t skip chilling: It tightens the dough so cookies don’t spread too much.
Powdered sugar coating: Adds a beautiful crackled finish and a delicate sweet layer — definitely do this step!

How to Serve Creamsicle Cookies With White Chocolate Chips Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple with these cookies because they hold their own so well. A light dusting of extra powdered sugar just before serving adds a fresh look. Occasionally, I like sprinkling a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top to enhance the white chocolate’s sweetness.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot tea. For brunch or a party, I serve them alongside fresh orange slices or a citrus fruit salad, which keeps that refreshing creamsicle vibe going.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I like arranging these cookies on a bright platter lined with orange zest curls and fresh mint leaves — it gives a pop of color and a hint of freshness that guests love. You could even stack them in a clear jar for a fun gift idea!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These cookies stay soft and delicious in a sealed container at room temperature for about 3 days, but I prefer refrigerating them if I want them a little longer—up to 5 or 6 days. Just bring them to room temp before eating for the best texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these cookies with great results. Just freeze them in an airtight container for up to three months. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature, and they taste just as fresh as day one.

Reheating

To warm up leftovers, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 8-10 seconds. This revives the softness and slightly melts the white chocolate chips, making each bite gooey and irresistible.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cake mix flavor for these cookies?

Yes! While vanilla cake mix is classic here to let the creamsicle flavor shine, you can experiment with white or even orange-flavored cake mix for a twist. Just be mindful that it might change the cookie's sweetness and texture slightly.

What if I don't have orange gel food coloring?

It's best to use gel food coloring because liquid coloring can thin the dough too much. If you only have liquid, use it sparingly, but be prepared for a softer dough and slightly different texture.

Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?

You can substitute vegan cream cheese and dairy-free white chocolate chips to make this recipe dairy-free. Be sure to check that your cake mix fits any dietary restrictions, or use a homemade vegan cake mix alternative.

How do I get that crackled powdered sugar look on the cookies?

Chill your cookie dough balls in the refrigerator before rolling them in powdered sugar. Baking them at the right temperature (350°F) with this coating causes the surface to crackle beautifully while keeping the inside soft.

Final Thoughts

I can't recommend this Creamsicle Cookies With White Chocolate Chips Recipe enough if you want something that feels special but doesn't require hours in the kitchen. These cookies remind me of long summer afternoons and the joyous simplicity of a creamsicle popsicle—only now, you can enjoy that flavor anytime. Try them out and you might just make them a new favorite, too!