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; 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 recommended); ½ cup powdered sugar

There’s something irresistibly nostalgic about the bright, zesty flavor of these cookies melting in your mouth. The Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe perfectly captures that creamy orange pop you loved from childhood treats, but with the softness and richness of a fresh-baked cookie. Trust me, these are worth making sooner rather than later.

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 honestly can’t get enough of these Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe because it combines the best of both worlds: bright citrus flavor and that luscious white chocolate melt-in-your-mouth feel. Plus, they’re surprisingly simple!

Unique Flavor Combo: The orange extract and white chocolate chips create a perfect creamsicle-inspired cookie that’s both nostalgic and fresh.
Easy Ingredient List: Using a box of vanilla cake mix means less measuring and fuss, but amazing results.
Soft, Chewy Texture: Thanks to the cream cheese and butter, these cookies stay chewy yet tender, not dry.
Beautiful Finish: The powdered sugar coating gives a crackled, delicate look that’s as pretty as it is tasty.

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 is brilliantly simple but each ingredient pulls its weight to create that iconic creamsicle vibe. I love how the cake mix cuts the prep time without compromising texture, and the cream cheese adds richness that pairs perfectly with the fruity orange notes.

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 the base for structure and flavor—choose a trusted brand to ensure great texture.
Cream cheese: Adds moisture and richness to keep cookies soft and tender.
Unsalted butter: Provides creamy fat content and carries flavor without overpowering.
Egg: Binds everything together while lending some lift.
Orange extract: The star flavor—use high quality for that authentic creamsicle taste.
Orange gel food coloring: Gives the cookies a cheerful hue without thinning the dough like liquid coloring would.
White chocolate chips: Sweet, creamy morsels that complement citrus beautifully.
Powdered sugar: Creates the pretty crackled coating when baked.

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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 of my favorite things about this Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for your tastes or dietary needs. I’ve played around with a few variations to keep things interesting. You should too!

Variation: Sometimes I swap half the white chocolate chips for chopped macadamia nuts for a little crunch, and it’s incredible.
Dairy-free option: Use a dairy-free cream cheese and vegan white chocolate chips if you want to make these suitable for dairy sensitivities—just watch for texture changes.
More citrus punch: Adding a teaspoon of fresh orange zest elevates the flavor and makes it even more fragrant.

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

Step 1: Beat Butter and Cream Cheese Until Smooth

Start by softening your cream cheese and unsalted butter until they’re room temperature—this step is crucial to avoid lumps in your cookie dough. I usually let them sit out about an hour ahead of baking. Beat them together on medium-low with a handheld mixer for about a minute until the mixture is smooth and silky. It should look creamy with no visible lumps.

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

Next, crack in the egg, pour in the orange extract, and drop in the gel orange coloring. Beat again for 1-2 minutes until everything is fully combined. This step is where your kitchen starts to smell like a dreamy creamsicle, so enjoy that moment!

Step 3: Incorporate Cake Mix and White Chocolate Chips

Slowly mix in the vanilla cake mix on low speed. The dough will get really thick here—don’t worry, that’s exactly right! Once it’s combined, fold in the white chocolate chips with a spatula or wooden spoon to avoid breaking them up.

Step 4: Chill the Dough Balls

Scoop the dough into about 36 balls using a 1½ tablespoon scoop, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes—this chill time helps the cookies hold their shape and intensifies the flavors.

Step 5: Roll in Powdered Sugar and Bake

While your dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F. When ready, roll each dough ball lightly in powdered sugar and space them evenly on another parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cookies are set in the center but still soft. The powdered sugar creates a gorgeous crackled look as they bake.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to set up before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. Then, grab one (or two!) and enjoy the perfect balance of citrus and creamy sweetness.

Top Tip

I’ve baked plenty of versions of creamsicle-inspired treats, but this Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe really nails the texture and flavor when you pay close attention to these small details.

Use Gel Food Coloring: I learned the hard way that liquid coloring can make dough too wet—gel ensures vivid color without messing up the texture.
Don’t Skip the Chill: Refrigerating dough balls is key for cookies that bake up tidy and don’t spread too thin.
Room Temp Cream Cheese: This is non-negotiable for smooth mixing; cold cream cheese leads to lumps and uneven texture.
Powdered Sugar Coating: It’s optional, but this step gives a signature crackled look and adds a light sweetness—definitely worth it!

How to Serve Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with these cookies—sometimes a light dusting of extra powdered sugar just before serving adds that whimsical snow-like effect. For special occasions, a tiny sprig of fresh mint or an edible flower on the plate brightens things up beautifully.

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect with a cup of hot tea or a tall glass of cold milk. For brunch, I’ve paired them with fresh fruit salad and a citrusy yogurt dip—total crowd-pleasers!

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve used these for parties, I arrange them on a bright orange or white platter and scatter some fresh orange slices and mint leaves around. They make a colorful, inviting display that gets compliments every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—it keeps them perfectly soft for about 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, I’ve found the fridge extends freshness up to 5 or 6 days but sometimes they firm up a little, so I like to warm them slightly before eating.

Freezing

These freeze wonderfully! I freeze the unbaked dough balls on a tray first, then transfer them to a sealed container or bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen adding a couple extra minutes to the bake time. Perfect for planning ahead or unexpected guests.

Reheating

To revive cookies from the fridge or freezer, I warm them for about 10-15 seconds in the microwave. The white chocolate chips soften up nicely, bringing back that fresh-baked taste and melty texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I omit the cream cheese in the Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe?

The cream cheese is essential for the unique soft and moist texture of these cookies. If you omit it, the cookies will be denser and less creamy. I recommend sticking to the original for the best results.

What’s the difference between using orange extract and fresh orange juice?

Orange extract offers a concentrated and consistent flavor that won’t affect the dough’s texture. Fresh orange juice adds moisture, which could make the dough too wet and affect baking. For this recipe, orange extract really captures that classic creamsicle flavor best.

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel in this recipe?

I don’t recommend using regular liquid food coloring because it can thin the dough, changing the texture and how the cookies bake. Gel food coloring is thicker and more vibrant, which keeps the dough consistency just right for these cookies.

How do I know when these cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for cookies that are set in the center but still soft to the touch—they will firm up as they cool. The powdered sugar coating will crackle and create a delicate crust. Baking 10-12 minutes at 350°F usually hits the sweet spot.

Final Thoughts

This Creamsicle Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe has become one of my go-to’s when I want a cookie that’s both easy and surprisingly special. They bring a smile with every bite, and I love sharing them with friends who always ask for the recipe. Give them a try—you’ll be glad you did. Plus, they’re the perfect way to brighten up any dessert table or afternoon coffee break!