Name: Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate 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 brand recommended); 8 ounce block cream cheese, room temperature; ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon orange extract; ½ teaspoon orange gel food coloring; 11 ounce bag white chocolate chips (Ghirardelli brand recommended); ½ cup powdered sugar

There’s something truly magical about the bright, citrusy pop of a creamsicle in cookie form. This Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe hits that nostalgic orange-and-cream vibe with a soft, tender crumb and little bursts of white chocolate throughout. Trust me, you’re going to want to keep these on repeat in your baking rotation.

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 Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m honestly obsessed with how simple and flavorful these Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe turn out. They have that perfect chewy-soft texture, the orange flavor is vibrant without being overpowering, and the white chocolate chips melt just right for little pockets of sweet creaminess.

Flavor Fusion: The combination of orange extract and white chocolate creates a dreamy, nostalgic creamsicle flavor you'll crave.
Quick & Easy: Using vanilla cake mix keeps things simple yet gives you that tender cookie texture that’s hard to beat.
Beautiful Finish: The powdered sugar coating bakes into a delicate crackle that makes the cookies look as good as they taste.
Perfectly Soft: These cookies stay soft and moist for days, so you can enjoy them fresh, or share with friends without worry.

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

Every ingredient here plays a key role in creating these soft, flavorful cookies. I've found that sticking to the right brands and room temperature prep makes a huge difference!

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: This is your base, giving the cookies a light, cakey tenderness that’s super easy and foolproof.
Cream cheese: Adds creaminess and moisture, making the texture delightfully soft and rich without heaviness.
Unsalted butter: Using unsalted lets you control the salt levels and contributes to a smooth dough.
Egg: Binds the dough and adds structure so the cookies hold their shape well.
Orange extract: This is the heart of the creamsicle flavor—just pure orange essence, so fragrant and fresh.
Orange gel food coloring: I prefer gel over liquid because it packs more vibrant color without thinning the dough.
White chocolate chips: These melt softly into pockets of sweetness, complementing the zesty orange perfectly.
Powdered sugar: Coating the cookies before baking creates a gorgeous crackled top and adds a subtle 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

This recipe is so versatile — I’ve played with it quite a bit and always end up loving it. You can easily customize it to suit your taste or dietary needs without losing that classic creamsicle charm.

Variation: I’ve swapped in vegan cream cheese and dairy-free white chocolate for a dairy-free version, and it still comes out ridiculously tasty.
Add-ins: Sometimes I toss in a handful of chopped macadamia nuts for extra crunch — it pairs surprisingly well with the orange and white chocolate.
Less sweet: If you prefer, you can reduce the powdered sugar coating or skip it entirely, although I think it really makes the cookie pop.

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

Step 1: Prep your pans and soften the butter & cream cheese

I like to line two large baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats to keep things easy and mess-free. Then, leave your cream cheese and butter out to come to room temp — this is key so they blend smoothly without lumps.

Step 2: Cream butter and cream cheese until silky smooth

Using a handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together on medium-low for about a minute. The texture should become silky and lump-free here — that creamy base makes all the difference for soft cookies.

Step 3: Add egg, orange extract & color, then incorporate the cake mix

Next, mix in the egg, orange extract, and a little orange gel food coloring for that vibrant hue. Once fully blended, slowly add the vanilla cake mix and mix on low speed until it forms a thick batter. Be patient here — the dough will be thick but that’s exactly how we want it.

Step 4: Fold in white chocolate chips

I find using a wooden spoon or spatula works best to gently fold in the white chocolate chips. You want them evenly distributed without overmixing the dough.

Step 5: Chill and coat with powdered sugar

Scoop dough balls with a 1½ tablespoon scoop and place them on one baking sheet, then chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. This chill step really helps maintain the cookie shape during baking. After chilling, roll each dough ball lightly in powdered sugar — this creates that gorgeous crackled finish once baked.

Step 6: Bake and cool

Bake the cookies at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until they’re set in the center and you see that crackled powdered sugar on top. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack. Patience here pays off because they firm up beautifully while cooling.

Top Tip

From my experience making these Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe multiple times, getting the dough chilled and using gel food coloring really makes the difference in both texture and appearance. Here are some tips to help your cookies come out stellar every time.

Use Room Temperature Dairy: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are soft but not melted — this combo creams smoothly and avoids lumps in the dough.
Choose Gel Food Coloring: It won’t thin your dough and gives such a vibrant orange without affecting texture.
Don’t Skip the Chill: The cookie dough is thick and sticky—chilling helps hold their shape and keeps them soft inside.
Light Powdered Sugar Coating: Rolling in powdered sugar adds that classic crackled look and subtle sweetness — don’t skip it unless you prefer a matte finish.

How to Serve Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple here — a gentle dusting of extra powdered sugar right before serving adds a pretty, fresh touch. If I want a special pop, I sometimes zest a little fresh orange over the top for a burst of aroma and color.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or rich coffee — the citrus flavors balance out rich, nutty brews perfectly. For gatherings, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit or a light vanilla yogurt dip to complement the creamsicle vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange these cookies on a tiered stand decorated with fresh orange slices and sprigs of mint. Kids love the colorful treat display, and adults appreciate the burst of nostalgic flavors. Wrapped in clear bags tied with orange ribbon, they also make fantastic homemade gifts!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Creamsicle Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days and find they stay soft and fresh. If there are any left after that, I pop them in the fridge where they keep nicely for up to 5-6 days.

Freezing

If I’m making extras, I freeze these cookies in airtight containers for up to three months. Just let them thaw at room temperature before serving, and they’re nearly as good as fresh-baked.

Reheating

To warm up chilled or leftover cookies, a few seconds in the microwave (about 10-15 seconds) works wonders to soften them up and revive that melty white chocolate goodness without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use any cake mix for this recipe?

I recommend using a vanilla cake mix to keep the flavors balanced and tender. Chocolate or other flavored cake mixes will change the flavor profile significantly, but you could experiment if you want a twist.

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

Gel food coloring is best because it’s concentrated and won’t thin the dough, but if you only have liquid food coloring, use it sparingly. The color might be less vibrant and the dough slightly softer, so chill the dough well before baking.

Can I make these cookies dairy-free or vegan?

Yes! You can substitute the cream cheese and butter with vegan versions and use dairy-free white chocolate chips. The texture may vary slightly, but the orange flavor and overall cookie experience remain delicious.

How do I get the crackled powdered sugar look on top?

Rolling the chilled cookie dough balls lightly in powdered sugar before baking creates the beautiful crackled effect. Make sure the dough is well chilled and the sugar coating is light but even for best results.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, these Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe quickly became one of my go-to quick treats because they’re just so reliably delicious and feel a little special with each bite. I love sharing them with friends, and every time someone bites into that soft, citrusy magic, I’m reminded of how simple ingredients can create joyful moments. So give these cookies a try—you’ll love that perfect balance of creamy, orange, and sweet white chocolate in each chewy, crackled bite.