Description
These Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are a delightful treat featuring a soft, creamy texture and bright lemon flavor. Made with lemon cake mix, cream cheese, and a buttery base, these cookies are rolled in powdered sugar for a sweet finish and perfect cracks on top. Ideal for lemon lovers looking for a luscious, gooey dessert that’s quick to prepare and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 box lemon cake mix
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
For Rolling and Topping
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Cream Cheese and Butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon extract into the butter and cream cheese mixture, mixing well until fully combined.
- Combine with Cake Mix: Gradually add the lemon cake mix to the wet ingredients, mixing thoroughly until the dough is well mixed and uniform.
- Chill Dough: Place the dough in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to handle and shape.
- Form Dough Balls: Scoop the chilled dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar to coat them evenly, creating a sweet outer layer.
- 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 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops have cracks, indicating a gooey texture inside.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes; this helps them set further before moving.
- Transfer and Garnish: Move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, sprinkle lemon zest over the top for an extra burst of citrus flavor and aroma.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and to achieve the gooey texture.
- Using lemon zest on top adds freshness, but it’s optional if you prefer a subtler lemon flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
