Description
These Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies offer a delightful combination of tangy lemon flavor and rich, buttery texture. Made with a lemon cake mix and cream cheese, these cookies are soft, moist, and perfect for any lemon lover craving a sweet treat with a gooey center.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 box lemon cake mix (about 15.25 ounces)
- 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: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Cream Cream Cheese and Butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon extract until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is uniform.
- Incorporate Cake Mix: Gradually add the lemon cake mix to the wet ingredients, mixing thoroughly to form a cohesive dough without overmixing.
- Chill Dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to firm it up, making it easier to scoop and handle.
- Form and Coat Cookies: Scoop dough into 1-inch balls and roll each ball in powdered sugar until evenly coated.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set and the tops show characteristic cracks, signaling they are properly cooked.
- Cool Slightly: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Garnish: Sprinkle the cooled cookies with lemon zest for an extra pop of fresh citrus flavor, if desired.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is crucial for handling and achieving the perfect texture.
- Use fresh lemon zest for the best citrus aroma and flavor if you choose to garnish.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
- If you prefer a less intense lemon flavor, omit or reduce the lemon extract.
- Ensure cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
