Oh my goodness, let me tell you about these lemon gooey butter cookies! They’re the perfect blend of soft and chewy, just the way I love my cookies. Each bite bursts with zesty lemon flavor that instantly brightens your day. Seriously, if you’re a lemon lover, you’re going to fall head over heels for these! And the best part? They’re so easy to whip up—perfect for when you need a sweet treat in no time. Trust me, once you make these cookies, you’ll be baking them again and again!
Ingredients for Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies
- 1 box lemon cake mix: This is the star of the show! It gives our cookies that delightful lemon flavor and chewy texture.
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened: This adds richness and helps create that gooey center we all crave. Make sure it’s softened for easy mixing!
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Butter brings that delicious buttery flavor and moisture, so don’t skip it. Let it sit out for a bit to soften up!
- 1 large egg: Just one egg is all you need to bind everything together. It also adds to the cookies’ soft texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the overall flavor, making these cookies irresistible. Trust me, it’s worth it!
- 1 cup powdered sugar: This is for rolling! It adds a sweet powdery finish that complements the tartness of the lemon beautifully.
How to Prepare Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies
Step 1: 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 that your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly chewy. While the oven heats up, you can get all your ingredients ready!
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, softened cream cheese, and softened butter. Use a hand mixer or a sturdy spatula to blend these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and well combined. You want to see that lovely lemony color shining through! Don’t rush this part—take your time to get it nice and creamy.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Now it’s time to add in the egg and the teaspoon of vanilla extract. This is where the magic happens! Mix everything together until it becomes a smooth batter—just a few minutes should do it. You’ll love the aroma of the vanilla wafting through your kitchen!
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Next, grab some plastic wrap and cover your bowl with the dough. Pop it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. Chilling the dough is crucial because it helps the cookies hold their shape while baking and gives them that perfect gooey texture we’re after.
Step 5: Shape and Roll
After the dough has chilled, it’s time for some fun! Scoop out small portions of the dough and roll them into balls—about 1 inch in diameter works great. Then, roll each ball in powdered sugar until they’re completely coated. This gives them that lovely, sweet exterior and helps create that beautiful crackled look when they bake!
Step 6: Bake the Cookies
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place your powdered sugar-coated dough balls on it, leaving a bit of space between each one. Pop the tray into your preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are lightly golden, and the centers look set but still soft. Watch them closely—nobody likes overbaked cookies!
Step 7: Cool Before Serving
Once baked, take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Letting them cool is key—this helps the flavors develop even more, making them oh-so-delicious! I promise, the wait will be worth it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make—perfect for busy days or last-minute cravings!
- Soft, chewy texture that melts in your mouth with every bite.
- Bright, zesty lemon flavor that adds a refreshing twist to classic cookies.
- Only a handful of ingredients, making it budget-friendly and accessible.
- Perfect for sharing at gatherings, parties, or simply enjoying at home.
- Can be made ahead of time and stored for later indulgence—if they last that long!
Tips for Success
To make sure your lemon gooey butter cookies turn out absolutely perfect, here are some of my top tips that I always keep in mind:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: It’s super important to have your cream cheese and butter at room temperature. This helps them mix together smoothly, giving you that lovely, creamy dough.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the dough might feel like an extra step, but trust me, it’s crucial! It helps the cookies hold their shape and enhances that gooey texture we all love.
- Keep an Eye on Baking Time: Ovens can vary, so start checking your cookies a minute or two before the suggested baking time. You want the edges to be golden and the centers to look set but soft. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool!
- Powdered Sugar Coating: Make sure to roll the dough balls generously in powdered sugar. This not only adds sweetness but also creates that beautiful crackled look when they bake!
- Storage Tips: If you have leftovers (which is rare!), store your cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and moist. You can even freeze them for up to a month—just thaw them in the fridge when you’re ready for a sweet treat!
With these tips, you’ll be a pro at making lemon gooey butter cookies in no time! Happy baking!
Nutritional Information
When you’re indulging in these delightful lemon gooey butter cookies, it’s nice to have a little insight into the nutritional side of things. Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes, but here’s what you can expect per cookie:
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Sugar: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 80mg
These cookies are a sweet treat, and while they’re indulgent, they’re also perfect for sharing or enjoying occasionally. So go ahead, treat yourself—you deserve it!
FAQ Section
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Absolutely! While lemon is the star here, you can experiment with other flavors like vanilla or even strawberry cake mix. Just remember, the lemon zest and juice really give these cookies their unique zing, so you might want to adjust those ingredients accordingly!
How do I know when my cookies are done baking?
Great question! Keep an eye on the edges—they should be lightly golden, while the centers might still look a little soft. Don’t worry; they’ll firm up as they cool. Trust your instincts, and if in doubt, take them out! You want that gooey texture!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can! If you want to prep in advance, just cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling it into balls and coating in powdered sugar.
What if I don’t have powdered sugar?
No worries! If you run out of powdered sugar, you can make your own by blending granulated sugar in a blender or food processor until it’s fine and powdery. It works just as well for the coating and adds that sweet touch!
Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts?
Of course! If you’re feeling adventurous, throw in some white chocolate chips or chopped nuts for some added texture and flavor. Just be careful not to overload the dough, as it might alter the cookie’s gooeyness!
Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies: 2 Ways to Brighten Your Day
- Całkowity Czas: 35 minutes
- Ustępować: 24 cookies 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
These lemon gooey butter cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with lemon flavor.
Składniki
- 1 box lemon cake mix
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instrukcje
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix the lemon cake mix, cream cheese, and butter until combined.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until smooth.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
- Shape the dough into balls and roll in powdered sugar.
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool before serving.
Uwagi
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- For extra lemon flavor, add lemon zest to the dough.
- Can be frozen for up to a month.
- Czas Przygotowania: 20 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 15 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 cookie
- Kalorie: 120
- Cukier: 10g
- Sód: 80mg
- Kwasy: 6g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 4g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 2g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 15g
- Włókno: 0g
- Białko: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Słowa kluczowe: lemon gooey butter cookies
