Ooey Gooey Lemon Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Ooey Gooey Lemon Cookies are soft, tangy treats that offer a perfect balance of creamy lemon flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. These cookies are effortlessly delightful and ideal for anyone craving a refreshing twist on a classic sweet snack.

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 in

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, use a hand-held mixer to beat together the butter, cream cheese, lemon zest, and granulated sugar until well blended and creamy.
3. Step 3: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon extract to the mixture, beating until fully incorporated.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the flour, baking powder, and ½ cup confectioners’ sugar to the wet ingredients. Beat on low speed until the dough comes together.
5. Step 5: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, form dough balls. Roll each ball in the remaining ½ cup of confectioners’ sugar until fully coated.
6. Step 6: Place about 6 dough balls onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets, spacing them apart as the cookies will spread.
7. Step 7: Bake for 8 to 11 minutes, until the tops no longer look wet but the cookies remain soft.
8. Step 8: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For extra lemon brightness, add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the dough.
• Try substituting lemon extract with orange or lime extract for a citrus twist.
• Use chilled dough if you want thicker cookies that spread less.
• Make sure butter and cream cheese are softened to avoid lumps in the dough.

Storage

Store cooled 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. To soften chilled cookies, warm them slightly in the microwave for 10–15 seconds before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?

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

Why do the cookies spread a lot during baking?

These cookies have a soft dough with butter and cream cheese that cause spreading. To reduce spreading, chill the dough before baking or use a firmer dough scoop.