Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies: Soft, Sweet, and Full of Zesty Flavor

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s both sweet and tangy, Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are the perfect choice. These cookies combine the rich, buttery flavor of classic gooey butter cookies with the refreshing zing of lemon. The result is a soft, melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s bursting with citrusy goodness. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just craving something sweet, these cookies will not disappoint.

In this blog post, we’ll take you through how to make Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies, why they’re such a popular dessert, and share some tips for making them even more delicious.

What Are Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies?

Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are a twist on the classic gooey butter cake that originated in St. Louis, Missouri. The concept of a gooey butter cake involves a rich, butter-heavy base that has a soft, almost pudding-like texture. In the cookie version, the dough is similarly rich and soft, creating a cookie that is both chewy and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. By adding lemon zest and lemon juice to the traditional gooey butter recipe, these cookies have a citrusy kick that adds freshness and brightness.

The dough for these cookies is usually made with cake mix, cream cheese, butter, and sugar, with lemon zest and juice added for that signature flavor. The cookies are rolled in powdered sugar before baking, which gives them their classic cracked, sugary finish.

Why Are Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies So Popular?

Soft and Chewy Texture

Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are known for their soft, chewy texture. The combination of cream cheese and butter in the dough creates a moist, tender cookie that practically melts in your mouth. Unlike crunchy cookies, these have a pillowy, gooey interior that makes each bite a delight.

Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tart

The zesty lemon in these cookies strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tart. The lemon’s natural tanginess cuts through the sweetness of the dough, making them refreshingly bright and flavorful.

Easy to Make

Despite their deliciously complex flavor, Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are incredibly easy to make. The use of cake mix simplifies the process, and the recipe doesn’t require any special baking skills. You can mix everything together quickly and have fresh cookies ready in no time.

Visually Appealing

The powdered sugar coating gives these cookies a beautiful cracked appearance once they’re baked. The white, snowy finish contrasts beautifully with the golden edges, making them as visually appealing as they are tasty.

Versatile

You can customize the recipe by adding other ingredients such as blueberries, white chocolate chips, or even a lemon glaze to make the cookies your own. They are perfect for a variety of occasions, from family gatherings to holiday celebrations or even as a fun baking project with kids.

Essential Ingredients for Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies

To make Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Dough

• 1 box lemon cake mix (a lemon-flavored cake mix works best, but you can use any cake mix)
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (for extra flavor)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Coating

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling the dough balls)

How to Make Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies

Making Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies is simple and requires just a few easy steps. Here’s how you do it:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prepare the Cookie Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and butter. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat them together until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is fully incorporated.
3. Add the cake mix and beat on low speed until combined. The dough will be very soft and sticky. This is perfectly normal—don’t worry!

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Because the dough is quite sticky, it’s helpful to chill it for 30 minutes in the fridge. This will make it easier to roll into balls and help the cookies maintain their shape while baking.

Step 4: Roll the Dough in Powdered Sugar

1. Once the dough is chilled, use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to scoop out portions of dough. Roll each portion into a ball and then roll the dough ball in the powdered sugar until fully coated.
2. Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. The cookies will spread out a bit while baking.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

1. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown, and the centers are still soft. The cookies will set as they cool, so don’t worry if they seem a little soft when you take them out.
2. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t over-bake. The key to gooey cookies is keeping them soft in the center!

Step 6: Cool and Serve

1. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will help them set without falling apart.
2. Once cooled, you can enjoy them immediately or store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Serving Suggestions for Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies

Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are delightful on their own, but you can make them even more special with a few simple additions. Here are some ideas:

• Serve with Tea or Lemonade: Pair these cookies with a refreshing glass of iced tea or lemonade for a delightful afternoon snack.
• Top with a Lemon Glaze: For an extra punch of lemon flavor, drizzle a lemon glaze over the cookies. Mix powdered sugar with lemon juice to create a simple glaze.
• Serve on a Dessert Platter: These cookies make an excellent addition to a dessert platter for a party or special gathering. Their bright yellow color and cracked powdered sugar finish make them stand out.

Conclusion

Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are the perfect treat for anyone who loves a balance of sweetness and tanginess. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture, refreshing lemon flavor, and easy preparation, these cookies are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. They’re great for sharing with friends and family, and they make an excellent addition to any celebration.

Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just because, these cookies are a fun, flavorful, and satisfying treat that everyone will love. So, grab a lemon, gather your ingredients, and enjoy a batch of Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies that are sure to brighten your day.

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FAQs

1. Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes, you can experiment with different cake mix flavors, such as vanilla or yellow cake mix, but the lemon flavor really shines with a lemon cake mix.

2. How do I store Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies?

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They will stay soft and chewy for a few days, but they’re best eaten fresh!

3. Can I freeze the dough?

Yes, you can freeze the dough. Roll the dough into balls, coat them in powdered sugar, and then freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag or airtight container. Bake from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.

4. Can I make these cookies without powdered sugar?

The powdered sugar is essential for the classic cracked look and texture of the cookies. However, if you don’t have powdered sugar, you can roll the dough balls in granulated sugar, though the texture and appearance will be slightly different.

5. How can I make these cookies spicier?

If you want to add a bit of spice to your cookies, try incorporating a small amount of cinnamon or ginger into the dough to give them a warm, spicy kick that complements the lemon flavor.

6. Can I add blueberries to the dough?

Yes! Blueberries and lemon pair wonderfully together. You can gently fold in about 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries into the dough for an added fruity twist.

7. Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

Yes, you can make these cookies dairy-free by substituting the butter and cream cheese with dairy-free butter and non-dairy cream cheese. Ensure the cake mix is also dairy-free.

8. Can I add more lemon flavor?

If you want a stronger lemon flavor, you can add more lemon zest or increase the lemon juice in the dough. You can also drizzle a lemon glaze over the cookies for an extra burst of citrus.

9. Why are my cookies spreading too much?

If your cookies are spreading too much, try chilling the dough for a bit longer before rolling it into balls. This will help the dough firm up and prevent excessive spreading during baking.

10. Can I use a different type of sugar for the coating?

While powdered sugar is the best option for coating the cookies, you can experiment with coconut sugar or granulated sugar for a different flavor. Just keep in mind that the cracked appearance may not be as pronounced.