These easy Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are seven ingredient cookies that just melt in your mouth. With the ease of a lemon cake mix these cookies come together quickly and easily. So if you and yours are lemon lovers than this is a must try.
Have you tried my gooey butter cake? This is the cookie version with a lemon twist. It is so difficult to stop eating these! These Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are easy, delicious and consistently great. These cookies are absolutely delicious warm with a hot cup of tea. These are the perfect cookie for that holiday party! Your company will love them.
How do you make Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies?
First you are going to cream the butter and the cream cheese until it is smooth and cream without any lumps. Turn your mixer to low and add the egg, lemon juice and lemon zest and mix just until combined. Now add the cake mix in three parts mixing just until combined after each part.
Roll the dough into a little over one inch balls and roll through the powdered sugar. Place on parchment covered baking sheets or silicone mats. Bake for a little over ten minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for two minutes on the baking and then remove to cookie cooling racks. When cool enough to handle roll one more time through the powdered sugar.
These cookies freeze well. Let them fully cool before freezing and double wrap them in freezer bags and place them in a sturdy freezer container. When defrosting remove them from all the wrapping and let them defrost uncovered in a single stack on a platter or cutting board. Once defrosted store in covered airtight containers.
Helpful tips for making Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies
- Use fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. It really does make a difference in the taste of the cookies.
- Soften your butter so it is easier to blend.
- Blend your butter and cream cheese until is smooth, creamy and free of lumps.
- For optimum results refrigerate the dough for 2 hours.
- Always preheat your oven and load the cookies on the middle rack in the center of the oven.
- For best results bake on parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Do not over-bake these cookies. They are done when they are lightly browned.
- If you have time do a test run with one or two cookies. It really helps to establish baking time.
Other cookie recipes you will love!
- Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies
- Small Batch Almond Joy Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
- Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
This post was published November 22, 2014 and was republished October 13, 2019 with new content.
PrintLemon Gooey Butter Cookies
An easy gooey lemon cake box cookie with just seven ingredients. Make a whole batch of cookies in less than 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: dessert cookies
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened (1 stick)
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 box lemon cake mix (I use Duncan Hines lemon supreme)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Cream butter and cream cheese with mixer until smooth and creamy. Add egg, lemon juice and lemon zest; mix until combined on low. Add the lemon cake mix in three parts mixing just until combined after each part.
- Refrigerate dough for 2 hours.
- Roll into 1 inch balls and roll through the powdered sugar. Place on cookie sheets covered with parchment paper.
- Bake 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool for 2 minutes then remove to cookie cooling racks. When fully cool dust with more powdered sugar.
Keywords: cookies, cream cheese cookies, gooey butter cookies, gooey butter cookie recipe, quick cookies, lemon cookies, Christmas cookies, cake mix cookies, gooey butter cookies with cake mix
Gotta try them
How many does this yield…none of these recipes tell this
24 yummy cookies
Maybe mine our smaller than 1″ because i am done with 2 dozen and have more o bake
Could be. It is just an approximation. 😉
Do you just add the mix dry without any of the ingredients on the box?
Yes that is correct do NOT add the ingredients on the box
I made 40 using a small cookie scoop.
Thanks so much for the heads up!!
My families and church groups favorite cookies! Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure. So glad that they like them!!
Does it have to be butter or can margarine be substituted?
This is one of those recipes that needs butter! I would not substitute on this one! Happy cooking!
Believe it or not, butter is healthier than margarine.
Yes I know and I love it!
What is the measurement a stick of butter as in newzealand we don’t have sticks of butter . . We have grams thanks
113 grams
1 stick or 1/2 cup butter is equal to 4 ounces, or 113 grams. Happy baking!!
113 grams 🙂
Could white chocolate chips be added to these cookies?
You know it would create a much different cookie. If you try it I would go light on the white chocolate chips. Maybe try some with and some without. Let me know how it turns out. I will interested to hear.
I think a drizzle of white chocolate after they are baked would be better. The texture is VERY soft and I think the chips wouldn’t work very well.
I agree. I think the chips would weigh the cookie down. It is SO good the way it is.
Thanks again Mary Jo!
Hi…. I want to try this recipe but I don’t have a mixer, can I mix the ingredients without having a mixer? and if so can you please explain
Thanks..
I think that you could but you are going to have to put some muscle into creaming the cream cheese and butter. Mix by hand until smooth and creamy. Do you have a hand mixer. It would work as well.
Use a spoon!!
I’m helping my friend bake cookies for a cookie table at her daughter’s wedding. We will be baking them far in advance of the wedding and freezing. Will these cookies freeze well?
Flash freeze them on cookie sheets before stacking them in freezer containers. They are a delicate cookie. When defrosting I would open container, remove cookies and stack on cookie sheets again until defrosted so they do not sweat and stick together. Make sure they are in good sturdy containers that are sealed well.
My 6 yr old daughter and I made these Yesterday, they came out perfect! They are beautiful and delicious. I did add a little bit of lemon zest just to add a bit of a pop. Thanks for sharing!! Can’t wait for my family to taste at dinner today.
So glad that you like them!
How does one store them? Must they be refridgerated?
No they do not need to be refrigerated. Sorry about the delay. I have been out of town. 🙂
I found these to be delicious but they seemed to me to be just like a little piece of cake! Where was the gooey part?!?
There is a coffee cake that is often made in the Midwest that we call Gooey Butter Cake. You can see mine right here: Anyway those cookies are a knock off from that coffee cake including many of the same ingredients. So it is more of a name thing!
My thoughts exactly!!!!!
We are doing a Holiday cookie exchange in my office, do you think this cookie could be baked on a Popsicle stick? Or will it just fall out?
I don’t think that cookie will hold up to a Popsicle stick. Sorry!
Do I have to refridgerate?
No you do not need to refrigerate them. Happy cooking!
They get eaten too fast!
Awesome!! I love it when the cookies are eaten fast!
I made these cookies yesterday mostly for my husband. I don’t really care for lemon anything. WELL, this cookie has changed my mind! I love them! They are so fresh and light and oh so delicious. Thank you so very much. A real family favorite ♡
So glad that you love them! Love the compliments…they keep me cooking. 🙂
Can they be refrigerated overnight instead of for just 2 hours?
Yes, just cover real well so the dough does not dry out. Happy cooking!!
How much cake mix do you use?
I’m from Germany and the weight of cake mix differs from brand to brand – and I guess from country to country.
Greetings from Heidelberg. 🙂
Greetings from St. Charles Missouri! I use 16.5 ounces of cake mix! Happy baking!
Thanks so much! 🙂
You are most welcome!
How many did you get out of this recipes? I need a few dozen and wanted to make sure I bought enough cake mix and butter.
Thank you
This recipe makes between 24-30 cookies depending on depending on how large you roll your balls.Try to keep them to one inch and you will get closer to 30. I have also had several readers suggest a little more lemon juice and maybe a little lemon zest.
Okay, this may sound stupid but do I add the cake mix in, in powder form? Or mix it like I’m making a cake?
Powdered form. 🙂
I’m going to try these. They look divine! Love anything lemon!
Me too! 🙂
Made these but added powdered lemon to the powdered sugar for an extra punch of lemon. Yummy!!
I did not know there was such a thing as powdered lemon? Where do you find that? 🙂
It’s crystallized lemon called True Lemon. I find it it baking items at my grocery store. By the Stevia. It comes in packets like sweetener but it does not contain sweetener. Only lemon.
Thanks for the info. Appreciate it!
Thank you. So glad to know about “true lemon”. Hope we have it here.
I hope so too!! 🙂
My daughter has been making these for a few years. Her teenagers and their friends love them.
They are delicious! 🙂 Your daughter has fine taste!
Do you think this mix would be enough to fill a bar pan for bar cookies instead of individual cookies?
I don’t think that there is enough dough to make these into bar cookies and I really don’t think they would turn out well. I always hate disappointing my readers but I want to be honest! 🙂
The cookies didn’t bake even ! Don’t know why? But they’re very good!!!!
Not sure what happened. Did you refrigerate the dough and roll them into balls?
Thank you for sharing your well put together website
You are welcome!
I’m in a hurry, does the dough have to be refrigerated for 2 hours??
Not if it is stiff enough to roll into balls.
Making these right now for the second time this week. They are divine. Mom and boyfriend approved, as well. Thanks for the recipe and helping me score points in the kitchen!
Glad you scored some points!!! You are most welcome! My pleasure!
They sound wonderful and are in oven right now!
Fantastic. Let me know what you think!
How much is a stick of butter? What is that in ml or cups? Thanks
1/2 cup 🙂
I am making these for a school project, and i need to know what they are supposed to taste like and what the texture should be like. could you help me
Well let me see if I can help!! They have a light lemon and butter taste. They are not a heavy cookie. They are not chewy. They are more airy and melt in your mouth but not as airy as meringue. I hope I have helped.
that should help thank you
What does a stick of butter weigh? I’m in Australia, we don’t buy it in sticks. Thank you.
1/4 of a lb. or 4 ounces. I hope that helps!! 🙂
Real butter is sold in stick form in Australia (I’m in Sydney). But the measurements are different. A “stick” of butter in Australia is 250g or a cup.
Thanks for the heads up! A stick of butter in the United States is 1/2 cup.
i need to know how many cookies this recipe yields. Need it asap please can you help me?
Approximately 24 cookies. Happy Baking!!
Can I use a stamp cookie cutter with these or will it just sticks to the stamp 🙂 my dad loves anything lemon but I’d love to use my new Halloween stamp !
I am not sure. I am sorry I have never used a cookie stamper. If you try and it works let me know because I will let the readers know.
Do you use salted or unsalted butter?
Yes I do! Happy baking!
I’m sorry I’m confused. I asked which one u use? Salted? Unsalted? Which one?
Can the dough be frozen for a later time?
I have never frozen it. My gut instinct is yes. if you try please let us know the outcome and I will post the results. 🙂
Thanks for the easy recipe! I just made a batch and although these are really YUMMY! I have one complaint – they didn’t last very long -LOL!!! I must double the recipe next time!!
I think the dough would freeze very well and if rolled into a log between plastic wrap, it could then be sliced nicely with a sharp knife.
I did add 2t lemon zest as well as 10 drops of YLEO Vitality Lemon Oil – Loved it!!
Sorry to hear that they did not last!!! LOL! I think they would freeze well too!! Thanks for the recommendations. What is Vitality Lemon Oil?
Vitality Lemon Oil is a line of highly concentrated essential oil from Young Living Essential Oils that naturally helps enhance the flavor of foods and water. Young Living offers a wide variety of oils but now with their Vitality line you can confidently use them to cook and bake with as well as flavor your water with the assurance of no added anything! I like that! I’m all for a healthier lifestyle! Email me and I can tell you more…..
Hi there!
I’m just wondering how many cookies come out from the listed ingredients you have. I’m going to attempt these for a Christmas party! Thank you!
The recipe will make about 24 cookies. Happy Baking!!
Just made these today to bring for Thanksgiving but need to make another batch (or two!) because my husband and I ate almost all of them! Sooooo yummy! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Oh my goodness you are cracking me up. Thank you so much.
Hi read through all the comments. Mine are in the oven but I didn’t really get a dough more a gooey cake mix. Did my best but they have gone flat in the oven. What did I miss? The mixture tastes great from the bowl though!
Sorry to hear that Trudy. Did you refrigerate them for a while and roll them in balls?
These turned out delicious! Thanks for the recipe! Satisfied my lemon craving I always have during the holidays.
Fantastic. I am glad that you like them. I hope you have a wonderful holiday!!!
I am making these for a holiday cookie exchange and I will be making almost 10 dozen. Can you double up the ingredients in this recipe?
Yes you can. Happy baking!!
How come no one ever tells how many cookies this recipe makes?
It makes about 24 cookies. Happy Baking!
Do you use salted butter for this recipe?
Unsalted butter please. 😉
Salted or unsalted butter?
Unsalted please
Just a thought regarding the order of the baking instructions:
why would the first step be to pre-heat the oven, when you then go onto chill the dough for 2 hours?
Made these tonight, I added a tad extra zest and lemon juice. Didn’t add the extra powdered sugar at the end.
Turned out great, light fluffy & lemon-yy!
However, I would of liked a bit more of a lemon flavour so may have to read the comments again and see what others did to enhance the lemon.
I made these again last night for a holiday cookie exchange and got started late, and was making 3 batches.
i did not chill for 2 hours, instead i loaded the batter into a large ziplock bag and clipped the bottom of one corner to use like a pastry bag, it allowed me to get cookies onto the cookie sheet faster. Then sprinkled powdered sugar as they cooled.
I also used double the amount of lemon rind and 3- 4 tablespoons of lemon juice and everyone loved them.
Great easy recipe! thank you!
You are most welcome. Thanks so much for the information. Sometimes all you need is a determined woman in a hurry. LOL!! I was wondering how they would hold up with more lemon juice and I just have not had the time to remake them with more juice and zest. Thanks so much!!
after chocolate, i am all about Lemon Lol
Me too!! I love limes too!
Will the cookies bake OK without using parchment paper?
Yes they will. Use a nonstick cookie sheet.
Do you have a good recipe for a lemon icing. Also, recipe for a lemon glaze.
Will your Lemon Gooey Butter Cookie hold up to either icing or glaze??
Maybe a glaze. I don’t think they would hold up to an icing. I do not have a lemon glaze recipe but you could easily google one. Not hard at all.. Lemon juice, powdered sugar, lemon zest. Super easy!
Do you have a lemon icing for the cookies? A little change from powdered sugar sprinkled on????
Just made these for an elderly friend who loves lemon. I only got 19 cookies from this recipe, as I the rest before baking. My bad. Added tad more juice plus 1tsp of lemon extract. Delish!!
Thanks for the heads up!! I hope your friend enjoys them.
I can’t find lemon cake mix just supreme lemon bar mix. Will that work if I use both packets together?
Sorry I am not familiar.
Can you freeze prior to baking, so I can bake fresh later?
Yes I think you could. I have never tried. If you decide to please let us know how they turn out.
Best cookies ever. My daughters 4th grade class loved them. Easy to make. Easier to eat!
Hey Mary Jo! I am so glad that your daughters class loved them. Such a sweet comment. You made my day!
Can I freeze the dough and bake later? If so, must I wait for them to thaw?
Thank you.
I have never frozen this dough and I am hesitant on it. I don’t think that I would. Lets see if the readers have a different response.
Are the cookies a tart lemon or sweet lemon taste?
A sweet lemon taste.
As a St. Louis native living in Hawaii, these remind me of home. I made these tonight. I did add Tbs of lemon extract and a tsp of lemon zest to mine. May have to make a Gooey Butter cakeas well.
★★★★★
Awesome! So glad that you liked them and that you adjusted them to your taste!
If I don’t freeze these, how long do they last? Is it the standard 2-3 days, or do they hold up a little longer?
It has been a while since I have made those. Maybe a little longer than that. I would say 4-5 days but like I said it has been a while. So many things to make and so little time.
These are a favorite around here!! I love making them for get-togethers, because they are always a hit & so easy to make! Love the refreshing, lemon flavor!
★★★★★
I love the lemon cookies so naturally, this is a fave of mine. Totally agree about using fresh lemon juice and zest! Definitely makes a difference.
★★★★★
These cookies are straight up dangerous! They are incredibly delicious loaded with awesome lemon flavor!
★★★★★
Wow, these are a dream! So perfect and soft!
★★★★★
Adding these cookies to my Christmas cookie list.
★★★★★