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 (Betty Crocker Super Moist recommended); 8 ounce block cream cheese, room temperature; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon orange extract; 1/2 teaspoon orange gel food coloring; 11 ounce bag white chocolate chips (Ghirardelli recommended); 1/2 cup powdered sugar

There’s something truly delightful about soft, citrusy cookies that melt in your mouth—and that’s exactly what the Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe delivers. With their bright orange flavor and sweet white chocolate chips, these cookies bring a nostalgic twist that feels like summer in every bite.

The image shows several round orange cookies with white powdered sugar cracked on top, lying flat on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has an uneven cracked texture with an orange base visible beneath the sugar coating. Scattered around the cookies are small white chocolate chips and bright orange slices, placed on the same white marbled background, adding a fresh contrast to the warm-toned cookies. 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

I was hooked the first time I made these cookies—not just because of their vibrant flavors, but because they’re deceptively simple and so forgiving. You get that creamy orange glow with pockets of melty white chocolate, and honestly, who could say no to that?

Easy to Make: Uses a vanilla cake mix as a base, cutting down prep time without sacrificing flavor.
Unique Flavor Combination: The orange extract paired with white chocolate chips creates a refreshing, sweet balance.
Textural Delight: Soft, tender cookies with a lovely crackled powdered sugar coating for a beautiful finish.
Perfectly Portionable: Makes 36 cookies, so you can share or stash away plenty for later.

The image shows a close-up of a single orange cookie with a cracked surface covered in white powdered sugar, resting on a white marbled surface. The cookie has a dense, soft texture with visible white chocolate chips inside. Behind it, there is a white bowl full of smooth, creamy white chocolate chips. Some scattered white chocolate chips lie on the marbled surface around the cookie, and an out-of-focus second cookie sits in the background. The overall color palette is warm with orange, white, and soft cream tones. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe plays its role perfectly. The vanilla cake mix gives you a tender crumb with minimal effort, while the cream cheese adds a hint of tang and richness for a cookie that stays moist over time. Orange extract and gel food coloring bring that classic creamsicle flavor and vibrant hue without needing fresh oranges.

Flat lay of a block of cream cheese with smooth surface, a half cup of unsalted butter in a neat square piece, one whole large brown egg with clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl filled with bright orange gel food coloring, a small white bowl of orange extract liquid, a small white bowl of fine powdered sugar, a simple white ceramic bowl of shiny white chocolate chips, and a small white ceramic bowl of fine vanilla cake mix powder, all arranged symmetrically and proportionally, placed 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 a simple, fail-proof base that makes the dough soft and tender.
Cream Cheese: Adds moisture and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness beautifully.
Unsalted Butter: Gives richness and helps the cookies hold their shape.
Large Egg: Binds everything together for perfect texture.
Orange Extract: Delivers the signature creamy citrus flavor—be sure to use pure extract for the best taste.
Orange Gel Food Coloring: Gets you that stunning orange glow without altering texture or flavor.
White Chocolate Chips: Sweet little pockets of creamy goodness that complement the citrus zing.
Powdered Sugar: Coats the cookies for that gorgeous crackle and a hint of extra 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

I love swapping up the white chocolate chips for dark chocolate or even adding in a handful of chopped pistachios for a bit of crunch. You could also dial up the orange extract slightly if you want a more pronounced citrus punch. The cookie base is very forgiving, so don’t be afraid to experiment!

Variation: Once, I added a teaspoon of vanilla along with the orange extract and it gave a lovely extra depth. Plus, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking elevates the flavors incredibly.
Dietary Adjustment: For a dairy-free option, try vegan cream cheese and margarine—just know the texture might be a bit different.

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

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese to Silky Perfection

Start by beating the room temperature cream cheese and unsalted butter together on medium-low speed using a handheld mixer. This usually takes about a minute to get a lump-free, silky mixture. Taking the time here makes sure your batter is smooth and creamy, which really affects the cookie’s texture. Don’t rush this step—if you see lumps, keep mixing!

Step 2: Add the Egg, Orange Extract, and Gel Food Coloring

Next, crack in the egg and pour in the orange extract and gel food coloring. Using gel food coloring is key here because it adds vibrant color without watering down the dough. Beat these together for another 1-2 minutes so the color and flavor are fully incorporated.

Step 3: Fold in the Vanilla Cake Mix and White Chocolate Chips

Slowly add the cake mix and stir on low speed for about 1-2 minutes. The dough will be quite thick—perfect for cookies that hold their shape but stay soft. Then, mix in the white chocolate chips evenly. I prefer doing this part with a spatula or wooden spoon to keep the chips from breaking up.

Step 4: Chill, Roll in Sugar, and Bake

Using a cookie scoop, portion out the dough into 1½ tablespoon-sized balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill these in the fridge for 30 minutes to help the cookies maintain their shape when baking. Once chilled, roll each dough ball in powdered sugar, then space them out on a fresh baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the centers are set but still soft, and the powdered sugar has cracked beautifully on top.

Top Tip

I’ve made these cookies a dozen times now, and a few little tricks have really helped me get that perfect texture and flavor balance every time. These tips might save you some frustration and ensure your batch comes out just right!

Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Cold cream cheese can cause lumps and uneven mixing—let it sit out for at least 30 minutes before starting.
Gel Food Coloring Only: Liquid colors can mess with the dough consistency, so gel is the way to go for a vibrant creamsicle look.
Chill the Dough: This helps to prevent spreading and creates a thicker, chewier cookie—totally worth the wait.
Don’t Skip the Powdered Sugar Coating: It gives the cookies that charming crackle and a subtle sweetness that complements the orange perfectly.

How to Serve Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe

Garnishes

I typically serve these with a light dusting of extra powdered sugar for a snowy look. On special occasions, I’ve added a drizzle of melted white chocolate or even a tiny sprinkle of edible gold dust to make them pop. The orange flavor means they pair well with fresh mint leaves too if you want a fresh touch on the serving plate.

Side Dishes

These cookies are lovely with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or alongside a cup of bright, freshly brewed tea like Earl Grey or chamomile. I've also brought them to afternoon coffee gatherings where they quickly disappear as the perfect sweet treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I like arranging the cookies on a colorful platter with slices of fresh oranges and sprigs of rosemary for a festive look. Another fun idea I tried was stacking them into mini cookie towers tied with a ribbon—instant gift-worthy presentation!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If I want them a bit fresher, I stick them in the fridge where they keep well for nearly a week. Just make sure to bring them back to room temp before eating for the best flavor and texture.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! I portion the dough balls onto a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. You can bake them directly from frozen—just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Pre-baking and freezing the baked cookies also works—just thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

To revive leftover or frozen-baked cookies, I warm them in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This brings back their soft texture and fresh-baked aroma without drying them out, making every bite taste like they’re just out of the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe without cake mix?

You can try substituting homemade cake flour and baking powder, but the convenience and texture of the cake mix really help make this recipe successful and easy. If you choose to go from scratch, be prepared for a slightly different texture and be cautious with the flour-to-leavening ratio.

What’s the best way to get the orange color without using artificial dyes?

Using orange gel food coloring is recommended because it provides a vibrant color without changing the dough’s consistency. If you prefer natural options, carrot juice or turmeric can be tried in very small amounts, but they might affect flavor and intensity.

Can I use white chocolate chunks instead of chips?

Absolutely! White chocolate chunks can give a bit more melt and pockets of chocolate, making the cookie’s texture even more interesting. Just be gentle when folding them in to keep them from breaking up too much.

How long do Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Chips stay fresh?

When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for up to three days. Refrigerating extends their freshness to about 5-6 days. Always let them come back to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.

Final Thoughts

These Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe hold a special place in my kitchen rotation—not just because they’re easy and fun to make, but because they bring back that sunny, carefree feeling of summer anytime you bite into their chewy, citrusy goodness. I’m genuinely excited for you to try them, and I have a feeling they’ll become a new favorite for you, too. Grab your orange extract and get baking—you won’t regret it!