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Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies

Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies
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Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies offer a perfect balance of tangy lemon zest and juice blended into a soft, rich, and gooey cookie with a creamy center. Made with simple pantry staples like cream cheese and butter, these cookies deliver a bakery-worthy treat with zesty freshness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s ideal for snacks, parties, or any lemon lover’s craving.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (freshly grated)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Topping

  • Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Gather all your ingredients and ensure that the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
  2. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, granulated sugar, and eggs until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract, fresh lemon zest, and lemon juice, then continue mixing until well combined to achieve that signature bright lemon flavor.
  3. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture gently, taking care not to over-mix so the dough remains soft and tender.
  4. Shape and Bake: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow for slight spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges turn lightly golden but the centers remain soft and gooey.
  5. Add Finishing Touch: Once removed from the oven, while the cookies are still warm, dust them generously with powdered sugar to add sweetness and a delicate visual appeal.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemon zest for the brightest flavor; zest lemons just before preparing the dough.
  • Do not overbake; remove cookies when edges are golden but centers are still soft to retain gooey texture.
  • Keep butter and cream cheese softened to avoid lumps and ensure even mixing.
  • If dough is too sticky to handle, chill it for 20 minutes before baking to reduce spreading and make scooping easier.
  • Use parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and promote even baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon cookies, gooey cookies, lemon dessert, cream cheese cookies, tangy lemon treats, soft cookies, buttery cookies

Find it online: https://linacorner.com/lemon-gooey-butter-cookies/