Ooey Gooey Lemon Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Ooey Gooey Lemon Cookies are a delightful treat featuring a soft, creamy texture with a bright lemon flavor. Perfectly sweet and slightly tangy, they’re an easy way to brighten up your cookie assortment or afternoon tea.

Ingredients

• ½ cup (113g) salted butter, softened
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
• 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• 2 ¼ cups (282g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (63g) confectioners’ sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ cup confectioners’ sugar, for rolling cookie dough

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, use a hand-held mixer to beat the softened butter, cream cheese, lemon zest, and granulated sugar together until well blended and creamy.
3. Step 3: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon extract to the mixture, mixing until combined.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and ½ cup confectioners’ sugar with the mixer on low speed. Beat until just combined into the creamed mixture.
5. Step 5: Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough. Roll each dough ball in the remaining ½ cup of confectioners’ sugar to coat thoroughly. Place about 6 dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them to allow for spreading.
6. Step 6: Bake the cookies for 8-11 minutes, or until the tops no longer look wet but the cookies are still soft. Let them cool on the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For an extra burst of citrus, add a teaspoon of lemon juice along with the extracts.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to reduce spreading, if you prefer thicker cookies.
• Substitute cream cheese with mascarpone for a richer flavor and creamier texture.
• Try rolling the dough balls in colored sanding sugar instead of confectioners’ sugar for a festive look.

Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat briefly in a microwave or oven to soften before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular butter instead of salted butter?

Yes, you can use unsalted butter. Just add a pinch of salt to the dough to balance the flavors.

Why are the cookies soft and gooey?

The combination of cream cheese and butter keeps the cookies moist and tender. Baking for a slightly shorter time preserves their soft, gooey center.

Ooey Gooey Lemon Cookies Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.7 from 50 reviews

• Author: Lana
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

These Ooey Gooey Lemon Cookies offer a deliciously soft and tangy treat, combining the richness of cream cheese and butter with bright, fresh lemon flavor. Rolled in confectioners’ sugar, these cookies bake to a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes them perfect for any lemon lover’s dessert cravings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• ½ cup (113g) salted butter, softened
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
• 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• 2 ¼ cups (282g) all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ cup (63g) confectioners’ sugar
• ½ cup confectioners’ sugar, for rolling cookie dough

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to fully preheat to ensure even baking of the cookies.
2. Cream butter, cream cheese, lemon zest, and sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand-held mixer to beat the softened butter, cream cheese, fresh lemon zest, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
3. Add egg and extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon extract to the creamed mixture until fully incorporated.
4. Incorporate dry ingredients: On low speed, gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and half a cup (½ cup) of confectioners’ sugar into the wet mixture. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
5. Form dough balls and roll in sugar: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out dough balls. Roll each dough ball in the remaining ½ cup of confectioners’ sugar to coat thoroughly. Place about 6 dough balls per parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them apart since the cookies will spread.
6. Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 11 minutes until the tops no longer look wet. The cookies will be soft when taken out.
7. Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to set. Then transfer the cookies to wire cooling racks to cool completely before serving.

Notes

• For best texture, ensure butter and cream cheese are fully softened before mixing.
• Do not overbake; cookies should remain soft and slightly gooey in the center.
• Fresh lemon zest enhances flavor more than dried lemon powder or extracts alone.
• Chilling the dough before baking can help reduce spreading if desired.
• Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain their soft texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: lemon cookies, cream cheese cookies, soft lemon cookies, ooey gooey cookies, lemon desserts