When you think of cookies, what comes to mind? The crisp edges, soft center, and the sweet aroma filling the kitchen? Now, imagine that in the form of a bright, zesty lemon flavor that hits all the right notes. Enter Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies—a delightful treat that combines the rich, velvety texture of gooey butter cake with the fresh, citrusy zing of lemon. These cookies are the ultimate fusion of comfort and refreshment, making them a perfect addition to any dessert table, from holiday gatherings to casual snacks.
Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies have become a popular favorite for their soft, chewy texture and bright lemon flavor. The best part? They’re incredibly easy to make. In just five simple steps, you’ll have a batch of these sweet, tangy cookies ready to enjoy. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these cookies are sure to impress. Let’s dive into the recipe and bring this sweet joy to life!
Ingredients
For these luscious, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, you’ll need a few staple ingredients. Here’s the list of what you’ll need to gather:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 box of lemon cake mix (you can also use yellow cake mix for a milder flavor)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract (optional for a more intense lemon flavor)
For Coating the Cookies:
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for rolling the dough)
- Zest of 1 lemon (for extra lemon flavor in the coating)
This simple list of ingredients creates cookies with a chewy, slightly gooey interior and a sweet, slightly tangy flavor profile that is simply irresistible.
Instructions
Making Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies is incredibly easy, and the steps are quick! Here’s how to create the perfect batch of gooey, lemony goodness.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheets
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper. This helps prevent the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Set the baking sheets aside for later.
Step 2: Mix the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, softened cream cheese, butter, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon extract (if using). Using an electric mixer, mix everything together on medium speed until well combined. The dough will be thicker than typical cookie dough due to the cream cheese and butter, and it should have a soft, sticky texture.
Step 3: Roll the Cookie Dough into Balls
Once your dough is ready, use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to scoop out portions of dough. Roll each portion into a ball with your hands. Don’t worry about making them perfect; these cookies are meant to have a gooey, chewy center.
In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and lemon zest. Roll each dough ball in this mixture, making sure they’re fully coated. This gives the cookies a beautiful sugary coating and enhances the lemon flavor. Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Be careful not to overbake, as you want the center to remain soft and gooey. The cookies will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet, so don’t worry if they seem a little too soft when you first take them out of the oven.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The result will be perfectly soft, gooey cookies with a slightly crisp edge and a burst of lemony flavor in every bite.
Tips for Perfecting the Dish
- Don’t Overbake: The key to gooey butter cookies is not overbaking them. They should still feel slightly soft in the center when you remove them from the oven. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet, and they’ll firm up without losing that delicious gooeyness.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For a smoother dough, make sure the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature. This ensures that everything mixes together evenly.
- Lemon Zest Is Key: Adding lemon zest to the dough and the powdered sugar coating brings out a fresh, natural citrus flavor. Don’t skip this step, as it enhances the lemony zing.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): If you want to make the dough ahead of time or need to firm it up a bit, you can refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before rolling it into balls. This helps it hold its shape a little better when baking.
Variations
While Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are delicious as is, there are several ways to customize them to suit your taste or the season.
- Add Blueberries: For a burst of sweetness and a beautiful color contrast, fold in fresh or frozen blueberries into the dough. The combination of lemon and blueberry is always a hit!
- Lemon and Lavender: If you enjoy floral flavors, add a teaspoon of dried lavender to the dough for a sophisticated twist. The lavender complements the lemon perfectly and adds an aromatic, fresh flavor.
- Lemon Poppy Seed: For an extra crunch, incorporate a tablespoon of poppy seeds into the dough. This variation gives the cookies a delightful texture and is perfect for those who enjoy the classic lemon-poppy seed combo.
- Lemon Glaze: After baking, drizzle a simple lemon glaze over the cooled cookies. Mix powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth and drizzle over the cookies for an extra layer of citrusy sweetness.
Conservation and Storage
Refrigeration:
If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare with these cookies), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. They should stay soft and delicious for several days.
Freezing:
To freeze, allow the cookies to cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until firm. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They will stay fresh for up to 2 months. To enjoy them again, simply thaw them at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
Dough Freezing:
If you want to make the dough ahead of time, you can freeze it. Roll the dough into balls, coat them in powdered sugar, and freeze them. Once frozen, transfer them to a container or bag. Bake from frozen for an additional 1-2 minutes, and you’ll have fresh cookies whenever you need them!
Serving Suggestions
- With a Hot Beverage: These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of tea or coffee. The bright lemon flavor complements the warmth of the drink, making for a delightful afternoon snack.
- For Special Occasions: Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are perfect for spring gatherings, bridal showers, or baby showers. The light, citrusy flavor and delicate texture make them a festive treat.
- Packaged as a Gift: These cookies make a beautiful and thoughtful homemade gift. Arrange them in a decorative tin or box, tie with a ribbon, and you’ve got a sweet gift for any occasion.
Conclusion
Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are the ultimate treat for anyone who loves a soft, chewy cookie with a burst of citrusy flavor. With their simple ingredients and easy preparation, they’re the perfect addition to your baking repertoire. Whether you enjoy them as a refreshing dessert or a snack to brighten your day, these cookies will leave you coming back for more. With the added bonus of being versatile and customizable, you can experiment with flavors and variations to suit your preferences. So, get ready to indulge in pure joy with every bite of these gooey, lemony delights!
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Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies: 5 Steps to Pure Joy
- Total Time: 25 minutes (including cooling)
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with a tangy lemon flavor. These cookies bring together the rich, velvety texture of gooey butter cake with a zesty citrus twist. Simple to make with just a few ingredients, these cookies offer the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just need a treat to brighten your day, these cookies will bring joy in every bite.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
1 box lemon cake mix (or yellow cake mix for a milder flavor)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract (optional for a more intense lemon flavor)
For Coating the Cookies:
1/4 cup powdered sugar (for rolling the dough)
Zest of 1 lemon (for extra lemon flavor in the coating)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheets
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and for easy cleanup. Set aside.
Step 2: Mix the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, softened cream cheese, butter, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon extract (if using). Use an electric mixer on medium speed to blend all the ingredients together until well-combined. The dough will be thick and sticky because of the cream cheese and butter.
Step 3: Roll the Cookie Dough into Balls
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls with your hands. Don’t worry about making them perfect. The beauty of these cookies lies in their gooey, chewy texture.
In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and lemon zest. Roll each dough ball in this sugar mixture until it is fully coated. Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them; you want the centers to remain soft and gooey. Be careful not to overbake. The cookies will firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. These cookies are soft and gooey with a crisp edge and a burst of lemon flavor in each bite.
Notes
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature. This will help the dough come together more smoothly and prevent any lumps.
Don’t Overbake: The key to gooey butter cookies is to take them out while the centers are still soft. Let them firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
Chill the Dough (Optional): If you find the dough too sticky to handle, refrigerate it for about 30 minutes before rolling it into balls.
Add Extra Lemon Zest: For a more intense lemon flavor, you can add a little extra zest into the dough or the sugar coating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9-11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies, Gooey Butter Cookies, Lemon Butter Cookies, Lemon Cake Mix Cookies, Soft Lemon Cookies, Easy Lemon Cookies, Chewy Lemon Cookies
