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Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies

Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies
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Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are soft, decadent cookies bursting with bright, zesty lemon flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth gooey center complemented by slightly crisp edges. Made from simple pantry ingredients including fresh lemon juice and zest, cream cheese, and butter, these cookies are quick and easy to bake, perfect for any occasion or as a sweet personal treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 1–2 lemons)

For Finishing

  • Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Soften butter and cream cheese to room temperature for smooth blending. Zest and juice fresh lemons to capture the brightest flavors.
  2. Cream Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, creamy, and fluffy to ensure tender, moist cookies.
  3. Add Egg and Lemon: Mix in the egg, lemon zest, and lemon juice until fully combined, infusing the dough with fresh, zesty brightness.
  4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in the flour and baking powder. Take care not to overmix to keep the dough light and maintain the perfect gooey texture.
  5. Shape and Bake: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing evenly. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are set and lightly golden, but centers remain soft.
  6. Cool and Dust: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once fully cooled, dust with powdered sugar for a delicate sweetness and elegant finish.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemons for the brightest flavor over bottled juice.
  • Do not overbake; pull cookies out when centers are slightly underdone for gooeyness.
  • Ensure butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for smoother mixing.
  • If kitchen is warm, chill dough for 15 minutes to prevent spreading.
  • Mix the dough gently and only until combined to avoid tough cookies.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon cookies, gooey cookies, lemon dessert, soft cookies, buttery cookies, lemon zest, cream cheese cookies

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