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 recommended); 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 (Ghirardelli preferred); ½ cup powdered sugar

There’s something magically nostalgic about these soft, citrusy treats that light up your taste buds with every bite. This Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe captures that classic creamsicle flavor with a tender vanilla cake base and bursts of sweet white chocolate. Trust me, they’re pure sunshine on a plate and totally worth making!

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 stumbled on this cookie recipe a few months ago, and it quickly became my go-to when I want something bright and sweet but not too fussy. The blend of tangy orange, creamy white chocolate, and the soft cakey texture hits all the right notes. Plus, these cookies are a breeze to make, even on busy days.

Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these in your pantry already, making this super convenient.
Soft, Cakey Texture: Unlike traditional crisp cookies, these are tender and melt-in-your-mouth.
Gorgeous Crackled Finish: Rolling in powdered sugar adds a pretty crackle that’s as delightful visually as it is tasty.
Customization-Friendly: You can tweak the orange intensity or swap out white chocolate for a twist.

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

This recipe leans on a few superstar ingredients that come together so beautifully to deliver that creamsicle vibe with a tender texture and the perfect sweet zing. Here are the key players and why I choose them:

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: Using a box mix saves tons of time and gives these cookies a soft, cakey crumb. I go for a trusted brand like Betty Crocker for dependable results.
Cream Cheese: This adds tang and richness, balancing the sweetness while keeping cookies moist.
Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s soft at room temperature for smooth mixing and rich flavor.
Egg: Binds everything and helps create that tender structure.
Orange Extract: This is your flavor bomb! It delivers a pure, vibrant orange taste without adding liquid.
Orange Gel Food Coloring: A small amount brightens the cookies without watering the batter down like liquid food coloring would.
White Chocolate Chips: Sweet, creamy pockets of delight—choose quality ones like Ghirardelli for the best melt and flavor.
Powdered Sugar: For rolling, it adds that signature crackled top that’s pretty and slightly sweet.

📝

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 to get creative with these Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe by dialing up the orange extract a bit or sometimes folding in chopped dried cranberries for a wintery twist. You should definitely experiment too — the recipe is forgiving enough to handle a little tweaking.

Variation: Adding a teaspoon of finely grated fresh orange zest adds a burst of fresh citrus that boosts the creamsicle vibe even more. I tried this during a spring brunch and everyone asked for the recipe!

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

Step 1: Cream the Cream Cheese and Butter till Silky

Start by beating the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together on medium-low speed. I use a handheld mixer because it’s fast and gets the mixture wonderfully creamy in about a minute. No lumps here — smooth and silky is the goal before moving on.

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

Next, drop in the egg, orange extract, and just a little orange gel food coloring. I find gel food coloring is key here because it gives a beautiful vibrant color without changing the batter consistency. Mix everything until it’s perfectly combined—about 1-2 minutes.

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

Slowly mix in your vanilla cake mix at low speed. Your batter will be thick — that’s exactly right! Then, fold those lovely white chocolate chips into the batter with a spatula. Stir gently so they’re evenly distributed without breaking up.

Step 4: Chill, Roll in Powdered Sugar, and Bake

Scoop cookie dough balls with about a 1½ tablespoon scoop. Refrigerate the dough balls for at least 30 minutes; this step is crucial because it helps the cookies keep their shape while baking. Before baking, roll each chilled dough ball in powdered sugar — this adds that lovely crackled effect. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until set but still soft.

Top Tip

I’ve made these Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe plenty of times, so here are the things I’ve learned that really make a difference to your results and enjoyment:

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are soft and at room temp to avoid lumps and help create a smooth batter.
Chilling is Crucial: Don’t skip chilling the dough balls — it keeps cookies from spreading too much and gives them that signature cakey texture.
Use Gel Food Coloring: I tried liquid food coloring once and it made the batter too runny. Gel coloring gives vibrant color without that hassle.
Powdered Sugar Coating: The crackled finish isn’t just pretty — it adds a light sweetness and slight crunch that makes these cookies unique.

How to Serve Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe

Garnishes

I keep it simple with these cookies — a light dusting of powdered sugar before baking adds texture and sweetness. But for a festive touch, I’ve sprinkled a little extra orange zest on top right after baking, which brightens the flavor beautifully.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine on their own but pair beautifully with a cup of Earl Grey tea or a creamy vanilla latte. For brunches, I serve them alongside fresh fruit salad to balance the sweet richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I arrange these cookies on a bright orange plate or tie a stack with a thin ribbon to create a charming gift. Once, I dipped half of each cookie in melted white chocolate and sprinkled crushed orange candy for an extra-special finish that wowed guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft and fresh for about 3 days. If I need more time, popping them in the fridge extends their freshness to nearly a week without drying out.

Freezing

I freeze dough balls individually on a tray, then transfer them to a sealed container—this way, I can bake as many or few as I want later. Cookies freeze well baked too; just wrap tightly to maintain softness for up to three months.

Reheating

To refresh the cookies, I warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to revive softness without overbaking. It’s like they just came out of the oven again!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute the cake mix with homemade ingredients?

Absolutely! While the boxed cake mix adds convenience, you can make a vanilla cake batter from scratch using flour, baking powder, sugar, and vanilla extract. Keep in mind the texture might be slightly different but still delicious.

Why is chilling the dough important?

Chilling the dough firms it up so the cookies don’t spread too thin during baking. It helps maintain that soft, cakey shape and improves texture. Plus, it makes rolling the dough in powdered sugar much easier and tidier.

Can I use a different type of chocolate instead of white chocolate?

You can swap white chocolate chips for milk or dark chocolate chips if you prefer a richer, less sweet contrast. Keep in mind the flavor profile will shift away from the classic creamsicle vibe but it still tastes fantastic!

What’s the best way to ensure the cookies have an orange flavor without being overpowering?

Start with one teaspoon of orange extract and adjust according to your taste. If you're wary about it being too strong, you can add zest from a fresh orange for a subtler, natural flavor boost. The powdered sugar coating also helps balance the citrus intensity.

Final Thoughts

These Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe are one of those recipes I keep returning to when I want something sweet, soft, and nostalgic that always makes people smile. Making them for friends or family feels like sharing a little burst of sunshine. I hope you’ll give them a try and find a new favorite cookie too!