Step into a world of zesty sweetness with these Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies, a delightful treat that combines the tang of fresh lemon with the creamy richness of butter. Perfect for tea time, dessert, or a special treat, these cookies are set to impress with their unique texture and vibrant flavor.

Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is straightforward and fun, ideal for anyone who loves to add a splash of citrus to their baked goods. Get ready to bake up something truly special that will light up your taste buds!
Bright and Buttery: A Cookie Lover's Dream
These Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are not just delicious; they're an experience. With their soft center and dusting of powdered sugar, each bite is a perfect blend of cakey and gooey textures, bursting with lemony goodness.
Here’s how to achieve that perfect gooey texture and bright flavor, along with some expert baking tips to ensure your cookies come out beautifully every time.
Pro Tips for Gooey Butter Cookies:
- Cream Thoroughly: Start by creaming the butter and cream cheese together until smooth to create a light and fluffy base.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerating the dough makes it easier to handle and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- Roll in Sugar: Coating the dough balls in powdered sugar before baking not only adds sweetness but also gives them their characteristic crackled look.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the baking time cookies should still be soft in the center when you take them out of the oven.
- Cool on Baking Sheet
Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe:
- Preparation time: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling)
- Cooking time: 12 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Equipment: Mixing bowl, baking sheet, parchment paper
Ready your kitchen for these heavenly cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat.
Ingredients:
- 1 box (about 18.25 oz) lemon cake mix
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar, for rolling
Directions:
- Preheat and Prepare: Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Cheese: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Add Flavors: Mix in the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Incorporate Cake Mix: Gradually stir in the lemon cake mix until the dough is uniform.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes to firm it up.
- Form Cookies: Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized balls, roll each in powdered sugar, and place on the prepared sheet.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, just until the edges firm up but the centers remain soft.
- Cool and Set: Allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Ready to Indulge!
These Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies offer a delightful combination of tart and sweet, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s sure to make them a new favorite. Enjoy the burst of lemon flavor in each bite and watch these cookies disappear quickly at any gathering!
Print📖 Recipe
Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies – Best Ever
Ready your kitchen for these heavenly cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat.
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 1 box (about 18.25 oz) lemon cake mix
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar, for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Cheese: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Add Flavors: Mix in the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Incorporate Cake Mix: Gradually stir in the lemon cake mix until the dough is uniform.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes to firm it up.
- Form Cookies: Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized balls, roll each in powdered sugar, and place on the prepared sheet.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, just until the edges firm up but the centers remain soft.
- Cool and Set: Allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling)
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
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