Delicious Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies

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Soft, zesty, and undeniably addictive, these Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are sunshine in cookie form. With a lightly crisp outer shell and a tender, gooey center, they offer the perfect contrast in textures. Each bite bursts with lemony brightness balanced by the rich decadence of butter and cream cheese. They’re easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and they disappear from cookie platters in seconds.

These cookies are inspired by the classic gooey butter cake but transformed into a hand-held treat. Whether you’re baking for a summer gathering, a holiday dessert tray, or just a sweet craving in the middle of the week, this recipe delivers big citrusy flavor with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Gooey Butter Cookie Recipe

There’s something nostalgic and comforting about gooey butter cookies, but the addition of lemon makes these feel fresh and fun. They’re not just sweet—they’re bright and flavorful. Using a boxed lemon cake mix helps cut down on prep while still achieving that classic gooey center. And since the dough is chilled before baking, the cookies hold their shape beautifully while staying soft and chewy inside.

Plus, this recipe doesn’t require any fancy equipment or long prep times. It’s perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike who want something impressive without too much fuss.

What Kind of Lemon Cake Mix Should I Use?

A standard 15.25-ounce box of lemon cake mix works great here. Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, or Pillsbury all offer versions that give you the right texture and a strong lemon flavor. If you love extra zing, you can stir in a bit of fresh lemon zest to the dough. And if you only have a white or yellow cake mix on hand, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of lemon extract or zest to capture that citrus punch.

Ingredients for the Delicious Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies

These cookies use simple pantry staples plus a few fresh touches. The star here is the lemon cake mix, which provides structure and flavor with minimal measuring.

• Lemon Cake Mix
• Cream Cheese
• Unsalted Butter
• Egg
• Vanilla Extract
• Powdered Sugar

You’ll need one box of lemon cake mix to bring that punchy citrus flavor right into the cookie dough. Cream cheese is essential for the gooey center and rich texture. Unsalted butter adds a deep richness, and egg helps bind everything together. A splash of vanilla extract smooths out the lemon with warm notes, while powdered sugar gives the cookies their signature crinkle top and delicate sweetness.

How To Make the Delicious Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies

Step 1: Soften and Mix the Creamy Base

In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. This creates the rich, creamy foundation for the cookies.

Step 2: Add the Flavor

Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Then slowly beat in the lemon cake mix until a soft dough forms.

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Cover and chill the dough for at least 1 hour. This helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to roll into balls later.

Step 4: Shape and Sugar

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and coat them generously in powdered sugar. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing a few inches apart.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are just set and the tops are slightly crackled. Don’t overbake! Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

How to Serve and Store Your Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies

These cookies are best served slightly warm or at room temperature, where their gooey centers can truly shine. Each batch makes about 24 cookies, perfect for sharing with friends or stashing in your cookie jar.

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also refrigerate them to keep the centers extra gooey or freeze the dough balls for baking later. Simply thaw slightly and bake as directed.

What to Serve With Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies?

A cup of Earl Grey tea

The floral notes of bergamot perfectly complement the tart lemon in the cookies.

Vanilla bean ice cream

Pairing these cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream creates a citrusy-sweet dessert bowl.

Fresh berries

Serve them with raspberries or strawberries for a fresh and colorful platter.

Lemon sorbet

If you love bold citrus, go all in with a lemon-on-lemon combo.

A glass of sparkling water

With a lemon or lime twist, this refreshes the palate and balances sweetness.

Afternoon coffee

The buttery richness of these cookies pairs beautifully with a medium roast.

Whipped ricotta with honey

For a slightly savory balance, spread a little sweetened ricotta and top with crumbled cookie bits.

Want More Cookie Ideas with a Twist?

If you love these Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies, you’ll probably enjoy these other favorites:

• Ooey Gooey Bars: A Decadent Treat You Can’t Resist
• Best Cheesecake Deviled Strawberries
• Red Lobster’s Cheese Biscuit Loaf
• Mini Cinnamon Roll Cheesecakes
• Cherry-Topped Coconut Macaroons

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you add zest or extra lemon juice? Maybe roll them in sanding sugar instead of powdered?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too, let’s help each other bake smarter.

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