These Gooey Butter Cookies have a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s irresistible. With a light dusting of powdered sugar, they are the perfect balance of sweetness and butteriness. Whether you’re making them for a family gathering, a holiday dessert spread, or a cozy afternoon treat with coffee or tea, these cookies are sure to be a hit with anyone who takes a bite.
The beauty of these cookies lies in their simplicity. With just a few basic ingredients and a little bit of love, you can create a batch of cookies that will become a staple in your dessert collection. Their soft, gooey center is complemented by a golden, slightly crisp edge that gives each bite a perfect texture. Best of all, these cookies are incredibly easy to make, which is why they are such a popular choice for home bakers.
Full Recipe:
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1 box yellow cake mix
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1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
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1 egg
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Powdered sugar (for rolling)
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Stir until well incorporated.
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Add the softened cream cheese and vanilla extract to the mixture, and beat until smooth and creamy.
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Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and roll them in powdered sugar until well-coated.
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Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
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Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the center is still soft and gooey.
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Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prep Time:Â 10 minutes |Â Cooking Time:Â 12 minutes |Â Total Time:Â 22 minutes
Kcal:Â 120 kcal per cookie |Â Servings:Â 24 cookies
Recipe Overview
Gooey Butter Cookies are a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth treat that are irresistibly sweet and satisfyingly soft. These cookies are a delightful combination of butter, sugar, and cream cheese, with a rich, gooey center that stays soft long after baking. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just craving a comforting dessert, these cookies never disappoint. They have become a favorite in many households due to their simplicity, sweetness, and delightful texture. They’re perfect for anyone who loves a cookie that is both easy to make and full of flavor.
History and Origin
Gooey Butter Cookies, like many great recipes, have their origins in the rich culinary traditions of the American South. The story of this beloved cookie begins with its predecessor, the famous Gooey Butter Cake, which hails from St. Louis, Missouri. Legend has it that Gooey Butter Cake was the happy accident of a baker in the 1930s who mistakenly mixed up the proportions of butter and flour in a cake recipe. Rather than throwing the batter out, the baker baked it anyway—and thus, the gooey, buttery dessert was born.
The cake gained widespread popularity and became a staple in St. Louis. Over the years, home bakers and professional chefs began to experiment with variations, leading to the creation of Gooey Butter Cookies. These cookies retain the same rich, buttery flavor of the cake but offer a portable, bite-sized version that’s perfect for sharing.
Though the original version of Gooey Butter Cake has roots in St. Louis, it’s been embraced far beyond its city of origin, finding its way into bakeries and home kitchens across the country. The cookies themselves are a modern twist on a regional classic, and their popularity continues to grow. Their ease of preparation and soft, chewy texture make them an instant favorite wherever they’re served.
Variations and Adaptations
While the classic Gooey Butter Cookie recipe is already perfect in its simplicity, there are plenty of ways to tweak the recipe to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. One popular variation involves adding a dash of vanilla extract or lemon zest to give the cookies a slightly more complex flavor profile. The addition of lemon zest, in particular, provides a zesty, bright contrast to the rich butteriness, giving each bite a refreshing twist.
Another way to adapt these cookies is to change up the type of cake mix used. While the traditional recipe calls for yellow cake mix, some bakers opt for chocolate cake mix or even red velvet cake mix for a unique take on the classic. These variations not only change the flavor but also alter the cookie’s color, making them even more visually appealing. If you’re a fan of chocolate, using chocolate cake mix gives these cookies a decadent, double-chocolate flavor that’s hard to resist.
For those with dietary restrictions, there are gluten-free and dairy-free versions of Gooey Butter Cookies available. By substituting gluten-free cake mix and dairy-free cream cheese and butter, you can still enjoy the gooey, soft texture without compromising on taste. These modifications make Gooey Butter Cookies accessible to more people, allowing everyone to indulge in this delicious treat.
In addition to flavor modifications, some people like to experiment with mix-ins. Adding ingredients like chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, or even crushed nuts like pecans or walnuts gives the cookies extra texture and flavor. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even incorporate seasonal ingredients such as pumpkin or cinnamon to make these cookies fit the fall or winter seasons.
Nutritional Information
Gooey Butter Cookies, while undeniably delicious, are also quite rich in calories and sugar, making them an indulgent treat best enjoyed in moderation. A standard serving of these cookies (about one medium-sized cookie) contains roughly 120 calories. However, the exact nutritional content can vary depending on the specific ingredients used, such as the type of cake mix or butter.
Here’s a general breakdown of the nutritional components per serving:
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Calories: 120-130 kcal
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Fat: 7-9g (of which 4g are saturated fat)
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Carbohydrates: 15g
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Sugars: 9g
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Protein: 1g
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Fiber: 0.5g
These cookies are high in fat and sugar, primarily from the butter and cake mix. The cream cheese contributes a small amount of protein and additional fat. While they’re a great source of quick energy due to their carbohydrate content, they lack significant amounts of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. To make these cookies a little more nutritious, consider adding whole wheat flour to the dough or incorporating some fiber-rich ingredients like chia seeds or ground flaxseed. However, given their deliciously indulgent nature, these cookies are best enjoyed as an occasional treat rather than a regular snack.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Gooey Butter Cookies are incredibly versatile when it comes to serving suggestions. They’re perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family gathering, a holiday dessert spread, or a cozy afternoon treat with coffee or tea.
For a fun twist, serve these cookies as part of a dessert platter alongside other homemade goodies like brownies, cupcakes, or fruit tarts. Their soft and gooey texture pairs beautifully with more solid and crunchy desserts, creating a contrast of textures that’s sure to impress your guests.
Pairing these cookies with a cold glass of milk is a classic choice, as the sweetness of the milk complements the rich, buttery flavor of the cookies. Alternatively, for a more grown-up pairing, serve the cookies with a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee or a bold espresso. The deep, roasted flavors of coffee balance the sweetness of the cookies, making it the perfect combo for any coffee lover.
If you’re in the mood for a festive touch, consider pairing the Gooey Butter Cookies with a glass of sparkling wine or a fruity cocktail. Their light texture and sweetness make them a wonderful complement to celebratory beverages, especially during the holidays.
Tips and Tricks for Success
To ensure that your Gooey Butter Cookies turn out perfectly every time, there are a few tips and tricks that can make a big difference. First, make sure your cream cheese is softened before you mix it into the dough. This will ensure that the dough is smooth and easy to work with, preventing any lumps or clumps in the cookies.
When rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar, be sure to coat them generously. This not only adds a delightful sweetness but also helps the cookies achieve their signature crackly, powdered-sugar crust. If you prefer a thicker coating of powdered sugar, feel free to roll the cookies a second time before baking.
Be cautious not to overbake these cookies. The key to achieving that gooey center is to remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are golden but the centers are still slightly soft. The cookies will continue to cook slightly as they cool on the baking sheet, so it’s better to underbake them slightly than to overbake.
If you’re baking in a humid environment, you may need to adjust the baking time slightly, as humidity can affect how the cookies rise and set. Keep an eye on the cookies and check them regularly as they bake.
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Potential Health Benefits
While Gooey Butter Cookies are not typically considered a health food, they do contain ingredients that offer some nutritional value. The butter and cream cheese provide small amounts of healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, especially if you use grass-fed butter. Cream cheese, in particular, can be a source of calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for bone health.
However, it’s important to note that the cookies are primarily made up of sugar and fat, meaning their health benefits are limited. They are best enjoyed in moderation as a treat rather than as part of a balanced diet.
For those looking to boost the health benefits, you could consider making some modifications to the recipe. For example, swapping out the cake mix for a whole grain or gluten-free variety would increase the fiber content, while adding nuts like walnuts or almonds would introduce healthy fats and protein into the cookies.
Conclusion
Gooey Butter Cookies are a sweet, indulgent treat that will delight anyone with a sweet tooth. Their soft, buttery texture and irresistible sweetness make them a perfect addition to any dessert table or a delicious snack to enjoy with a cup of coffee. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or get creative with variations, these cookies are sure to be a hit. With a rich history rooted in St. Louis, the Gooey Butter Cookie continues to be a beloved treat that brings comfort and joy to all who bake and eat them. Give them a try—these gooey, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are bound to become a family favorite!