Oh my goodness, if you haven’t tried these lemon gooey butter cookies, you’re in for a treat! These little bites of joy are soft, chewy, and absolutely bursting with that bright, refreshing citrus flavor that just screams sunshine. I mean, who doesn’t love a cookie that feels like a warm hug on a plate? The combination of lemon cake mix and cream cheese creates this dreamy, gooey center that melts in your mouth. Trust me, once you take a bite, you’ll be hooked! They’re so easy to whip up, making them perfect for a quick dessert or a sweet surprise for guests. Let’s get baking and bring some zest into your kitchen!
Ingredients List
- 1 box lemon cake mix
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar for dusting
How to Prepare Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies 2
Preheat the Oven
First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is super important because it ensures your cookies bake evenly and get that perfect golden edge. While it’s warming up, you can get everything else ready!
Mix the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, softened cream cheese, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Now, here’s where the magic happens! Stir everything together until it’s all smooth and well blended. You want that beautiful creamy consistency, so take your time and make sure there are no lumps. Yum!
Chill the Dough
Once your dough is mixed, cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This chilling step is key! It helps the cookies hold their shape while baking and gives them that delightful gooey texture we all love.
Shape and Bake
After chilling, grab your baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Using a spoon, drop generous spoonfuls of the dough onto the sheet, giving them some space to spread out. Bake them for 10-12 minutes, but keep an eye on them! You’ll know they’re done when the edges are set, but the centers are still a bit soft. Trust me, that’s where the gooey goodness lives!
Dust with Powdered Sugar
Once your cookies are out of the oven, let them cool for just a minute on the baking sheet. Then, dust them with powdered sugar while they’re still warm. This adds such a lovely touch and a beautiful finish that makes them look as good as they taste. Seriously, they’re going to be a showstopper!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make—perfect for last-minute cravings or unexpected guests!
- Soft, chewy texture with a delightful gooey center that melts in your mouth.
- Bright, zesty lemon flavor that adds a refreshing twist to your dessert table.
- Only requires a handful of simple ingredients, making it a budget-friendly treat.
- Dusting with powdered sugar not only elevates the look but also adds that extra sweetness.
- Great for any occasion—whether it’s a cozy family gathering or a fancy dinner party.
- They stay fresh for days, so you can enjoy them again and again!
Tips for Success
Alright, let’s make sure your lemon gooey butter cookies turn out absolutely perfect! Here are some of my favorite tips to elevate your cookie game:
- Use Fresh Lemon Zest: For an extra burst of lemon flavor, don’t hesitate to add some freshly grated lemon zest to your dough. It adds a wonderful brightness and aroma that will have your kitchen smelling like a citrus paradise!
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before mixing. This creates a smoother batter and helps everything blend beautifully, ensuring that gooey center we’re all after.
- Chill Longer for Firmer Cookies: If you find your dough is a bit too soft to handle after the first chill, feel free to refrigerate it for an additional 15-20 minutes. This will make it easier to scoop and shape!
- Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on your cookies as they bake. Removing them when the edges are set but the centers are still soft will guarantee that gooey texture. They’ll firm up as they cool!
- Experiment with Mix-Ins: If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding white chocolate chips or nuts for an extra layer of flavor and texture. Just make sure not to overload the dough—this recipe is all about that gooey goodness!
With these tips in hand, you’re all set to impress everyone with your baking skills. Enjoy the process and happy baking!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown for each lemon gooey butter cookie. Keep in mind that these values can vary based on the specific brands and ingredients you use, but it gives you a good idea of what you’re munching on!
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
So there you have it! These cookies are a delightful treat that you can enjoy without too much guilt. Perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself—no judgment here!
FAQ Section
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Absolutely! While lemon is a star in this recipe, you can experiment with other flavors like vanilla or orange cake mix for a fun twist. Just adjust your add-ins accordingly to match the flavor.
How do I know when my cookies are done?
You’ll want to keep an eye on the edges—they should be set while the centers still look a little soft. Once you see that, it’s time to take them out! Remember, they’ll continue to cook a bit as they cool.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, you can! Just scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. You can bake them straight from the freezer—just add a couple extra minutes to the baking time!
What can I substitute for cream cheese?
If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can use Greek yogurt or mascarpone cheese. Just keep in mind that the texture and flavor might slightly change, but they’ll still be delicious!
How should I store leftover cookies?
Store your lemon gooey butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them fresh even longer, pop them in the fridge! Just be sure to bring them back to room temperature before enjoying for the best flavor.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Now that you’ve baked up a delicious batch of lemon gooey butter cookies, you’ll want to make sure they stay fresh and tasty! To store your leftover cookies, simply place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep well for up to a week, and trust me, they won’t last long once your friends and family get a whiff of that zesty goodness!
If you want to extend their shelf life even further, feel free to pop them in the fridge. Just remember to bring them back to room temperature before you dig in again for the best flavor and texture.
Now, if you find yourself with a few cookies left after a couple of days and you want to enjoy them warm again, reheating is a breeze! Just preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C), place the cookies on a baking sheet, and warm them for about 5 minutes. This will help revive that gooey center and make them feel freshly baked again. Ooh, the aroma that fills your kitchen is simply irresistible!
So go ahead, store them up, and enjoy these delightful cookies whenever you get that craving!
Drucken
Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies 2: 7 Steps to Pure Bliss
- Gesamtzeit: 57 minutes
- Ertrag: 24 cookies 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
Lemon gooey butter cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with citrus flavor.
Zutaten
- 1 box lemon cake mix
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Anweisungen
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix the lemon cake mix, cream cheese, melted butter, egg, and vanilla until well combined.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set.
- Allow to cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
- For a stronger lemon flavor, add lemon zest.
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 12 minutes
- Kategorie: Dessert
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: American
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 cookie
- Kalorien: 150
- Zucker: 10g
- Natrium: 150mg
- Fett: 7g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 4g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 20g
- Faser: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterin: 20mg
Keywords: lemon gooey butter cookies, lemon cookies, dessert cookies
