Description
These Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are soft, tangy, and irresistibly buttery treats infused with bright lemon flavor. Made from a lemon cake mix combined with cream cheese and butter, they bake into gooey, melt-in-your-mouth delights with a crackled powdered sugar coating. Perfect for lemon lovers seeking a quick and easy cookie recipe with a rich and tender texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 box lemon cake mix (approx. 15.25 oz)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
Coating and Garnish
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Beat Cream Cheese and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, ensuring a velvety dough base.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon extract into the cream cheese mixture, beating until everything is well combined and the batter is smooth.
- Incorporate Lemon Cake Mix: Gradually add the lemon cake mix to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough is fully blended and uniform in texture.
- Chill the Dough: Place the dough in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes to firm up, which helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- Form Dough Balls and Coat: Scoop the chilled dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in powdered sugar thoroughly to create a sweet, crackled coating.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops are cracked but the centers remain soft and gooey.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm a bit before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Garnish: Once cooled, sprinkle the cookies with lemon zest for an extra burst of fresh lemon flavor and a pop of color.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother dough.
- Chilling the dough is essential—it helps maintain the gooey texture while preventing excessive spreading.
- Rolling in powdered sugar gives the cookies a beautiful crackled appearance and a sweet finish.
- If lemon zest is not available or preferred, you may omit it or substitute with finely grated orange zest for a different citrus twist.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate to extend freshness.
- For a more intense lemon flavor, consider adding an extra 1/2 teaspoon of lemon extract or a tablespoon more lemon zest into the dough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
