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These easy Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies are seven-ingredient cookies that melt in your mouth. With the ease of a lemon cake mix, they come together quickly and easily. So, if you and yours are lemon lovers, then 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 excellent. They are absolutely delicious, warm with a hot cup of tea. Theyare the perfect cookie for that holiday party! Your company will love them.
How do you make Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies?
First, you will cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy without lumps. Turn your mixer to low and add the egg, lemon juice, and lemon zest, mixing just until combined. Now add the cake mix in three parts, mixing just until combined after each part.
Roll the dough into balls about one inch in diameter and roll through the powdered sugar. Place on parchment-covered baking sheets or silicone mats. Bake for about ten minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on the baking sheet for two minutes, then remove to cookie cooling racks. When cool enough to handle, roll through the powdered sugar one more time.
These cookies freeze well. Let them fully cool before freezing, then 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 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 it 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. This will help establish the baking time.
Other cookie recipes you will love!
Potato Chip Cookies
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Thin Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookie
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies
Molasses Cookies
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Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies
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5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star
4.9 from 16 reviews
An easy gooey lemon cake box cookie with just seven ingredients. Make a whole batch of cookies in less than 30 minutes.
Author:Beth Pierce
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Total Time:20 minutes
Yield:24 cookies
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 a 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 for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool for 2 minutes, then remove the cookies to cookie cooling racks. When fully cool, dust with more powdered sugar.
Notes
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 it 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.
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Nutrition Disclaimer: All nutritional information shared on this site is an approximation. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on this site should be used as a general guideline.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Jennifer Prince
Lemon is hands down my favorite dessert flavor and these were really delicious. So easy too! Thank you!
Reply
Bedabrata Chakraborty
I love lemon desserts and this is a real treat. Love the fact that these may be frozen. But is there a substitute to lemon cake mix? This may not be available in my city 🙁
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Angie
These lemon gooey butter cookies look absolutely delicious! I’ve been trying to think of a summertime treat to serve at an upcoming party I’m throwing! These would be so good. Thanks for the recipe!
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Rosey
These lemon Cookies are the best. My friends and family really love them!
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Jack
These were absolutely delicious. I love lemon anything! Thank you for sharing!
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Brian
This caught my attention because I don’t like overly firm cookies. And it made me think of gooey butter cake.
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briannemanzb
They are a wonderful end to any sort of meal. Lemon is my thing and I love the gooey center of these cookies.
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Beth Pierce
Thanks Brianne! So glad that you like them!
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Richelle Milar
I would definitely love to try this recipe! My kids would love this for sure!
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Beth Pierce
Thanks! Enjoy!
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Tweenselmom
Ohh I just love this lemon gooey cookie recipe. My kids loved them. They had just the right balance of lemon flavor.
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Krystle
These are a must-try if you like lemon. Its flavor really shines through yum!
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Beth Pierce
Thanks Krystle! So glad that you enjoyed it.
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Stephanie
Wow, they are amazing! We enjoy lemon-flavored anything here, so they were a hit with the whole family. And I agree, fresh lemon is so much better!
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Beth Pierce
Thanks Stephanie! So glad that the whole family liked them!
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Angelica
These were good, but I love lemon and I had a hard time tasting the lemon. I used 1 whole lemon and zest and it had more butter flavor. There was no balance. I love the texture and the it’s softness. I also didn’t roll them in powder sugar nor put powder sugar on top after baking.
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Monika3
Sooooo good!! Added a little bit more lemon juice and zest!! Lots of RAVES from co-workers!! definitely a keeper recipe! thank you
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Beth Pierce
My pleasure! So happy that they liked them!!
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Kelly Dyer
do these need to be refrigerated after cooked since they have cream cheese in them?
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Beth Pierce
Boy the consensus on this is all over the board. I usually leave on the counter for about 2 days and then refrigerate after that. However after reading and reading I think that I would refrigerate them.
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Betsy
So easy! And the cream cheese adds some nice protein and gives it a whole new texture! Love the texture of these. The flavor is incredible. Not too tart, and not too sweet! But definitely lemony goodness!
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Donna Burke
WOW! These are so incredible.I need to make a double batch next time!
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Kara
I love lemon desserts, and these did not disappoint! The lemon zest adds a nice fresh flavor. So yummy!
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Suzanne
This looks so good! It is nice to have a recipe with ingredients you can keep around and whip up quickly!
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Ellie Wolfenson
So light and fluffy ! Made them for a cookie swap, I added poppy seeds for a slightly different twist. Everyone loved them. Thank you !
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Beth Pierce
That is a great idea. I love the poppy seed idea!
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Becky Hardin
Adding these cookies to my Christmas cookie list.
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Sarah Skaggs
Wow, these are a dream! So perfect and soft!
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Billy
These cookies are straight up dangerous! They are incredibly delicious loaded with awesome lemon flavor!
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Trang
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.
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Kristyn
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!
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Lisa
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?
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Beth Pierce
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.
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.
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Beth Pierce
Awesome! So glad that you liked them and that you adjusted them to your taste!
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Linda Downing
Are the cookies a tart lemon or sweet lemon taste?
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Beth Pierce
A sweet lemon taste.
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Kristina
Can I freeze the dough and bake later? If so, must I wait for them to thaw?
Thank you.
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Beth Pierce
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.
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Mary Jo
Best cookies ever. My daughters 4th grade class loved them. Easy to make. Easier to eat!
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Beth Pierce
Hey Mary Jo! I am so glad that your daughters class loved them. Such a sweet comment. You made my day!
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Lorna
Can you freeze prior to baking, so I can bake fresh later?
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Beth Pierce
Yes I think you could. I have never tried. If you decide to please let us know how they turn out.
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Ashley
I can’t find lemon cake mix just supreme lemon bar mix. Will that work if I use both packets together?
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Beth Pierce
Sorry I am not familiar.
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Mary
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!!
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Beth Pierce
Thanks for the heads up!! I hope your friend enjoys them.
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Becky
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??
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Beth Pierce
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!
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Patricia
Will the cookies bake OK without using parchment paper?
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Beth Pierce
Yes they will. Use a nonstick cookie sheet.
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Deborah Hefter
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!
Reply
Beth Pierce
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!!
Reply
deborah
after chocolate, i am all about Lemon Lol
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Beth Pierce
Me too!! I love limes too!
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Laura
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.
Reply
Sarah
Salted or unsalted butter?
Reply
Beth Pierce
Unsalted please
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Dani
Do you use salted butter for this recipe?
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Beth Pierce
Unsalted butter please. 😉
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Holly
How come no one ever tells how many cookies this recipe makes?
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Beth Pierce
It makes about 24 cookies. Happy Baking!
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Lisa
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?
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Beth Pierce
Yes you can. Happy baking!!
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Lauren
These turned out delicious! Thanks for the recipe! Satisfied my lemon craving I always have during the holidays.
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Beth Pierce
Fantastic. I am glad that you like them. I hope you have a wonderful holiday!!!
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Trudy
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!
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bpierce
Sorry to hear that Trudy. Did you refrigerate them for a while and roll them in balls?
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Brandi
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!
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bpierce
Oh my goodness you are cracking me up. Thank you so much.
Reply
Rachael
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!
Reply
bpierce
The recipe will make about 24 cookies. Happy Baking!!
Reply
Ruth
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!!
Reply
bpierce
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?
Reply
Ruth
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…..
Reply
Elicia
Can the dough be frozen for a later time?
Reply
bpierce
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. 🙂
I’m sorry I’m confused. I asked which one u use? Salted? Unsalted? Which one?
Reply
Sp
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 !
Reply
bpierce
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.
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Rosario
i need to know how many cookies this recipe yields. Need it asap please can you help me?
Reply
bpierce
Approximately 24 cookies. Happy Baking!!
Reply
Pam
What does a stick of butter weigh? I’m in Australia, we don’t buy it in sticks. Thank you.
Reply
bpierce
1/4 of a lb. or 4 ounces. I hope that helps!! 🙂
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Fiona Downes
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.
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Beth Pierce
Thanks for the heads up! A stick of butter in the United States is 1/2 cup.
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Addi
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
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bpierce
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.
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Addi
that should help thank you
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Lorraine
How much is a stick of butter? What is that in ml or cups? Thanks
Reply
bpierce
1/2 cup 🙂
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Chrissy
They sound wonderful and are in oven right now!
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bpierce
Fantastic. Let me know what you think!
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kati
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!
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bpierce
Glad you scored some points!!! You are most welcome! My pleasure!
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Mindy
I’m in a hurry, does the dough have to be refrigerated for 2 hours??
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bpierce
Not if it is stiff enough to roll into balls.
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csgo
Thank you for sharing your well put together website
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bpierce
You are welcome!
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Grace
The cookies didn’t bake even ! Don’t know why? But they’re very good!!!!
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bpierce
Not sure what happened. Did you refrigerate the dough and roll them into balls?
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Mandy
Do you think this mix would be enough to fill a bar pan for bar cookies instead of individual cookies?
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bpierce
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! 🙂
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Vivian
My daughter has been making these for a few years. Her teenagers and their friends love them.
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bpierce
They are delicious! 🙂 Your daughter has fine taste!
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Kris
Made these but added powdered lemon to the powdered sugar for an extra punch of lemon. Yummy!!
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bpierce
I did not know there was such a thing as powdered lemon? Where do you find that? 🙂
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Kris
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.
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bpierce
Thanks for the info. Appreciate it!
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Tisa
Thank you. So glad to know about “true lemon”. Hope we have it here.
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bpierce
I hope so too!! 🙂
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Stef
I’m going to try these. They look divine! Love anything lemon!
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bpierce
Me too! 🙂
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Amber
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?
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bpierce
Powdered form. 🙂
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Stacia
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
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bpierce
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.
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Mathilda
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. 🙂
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bpierce
Greetings from St. Charles Missouri! I use 16.5 ounces of cake mix! Happy baking!
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Mathilda
Thanks so much! 🙂
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bpierce
You are most welcome!
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Sarah
Can they be refrigerated overnight instead of for just 2 hours?
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bpierce
Yes, just cover real well so the dough does not dry out. Happy cooking!!
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Kathy
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 ♡
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bpierce
So glad that you love them! Love the compliments…they keep me cooking. 🙂
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Michelle
Do I have to refridgerate?
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bpierce
No you do not need to refrigerate them. Happy cooking!
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Fiona Downes
They get eaten too fast!
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Beth Pierce
Awesome!! I love it when the cookies are eaten fast!
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Deborah Ann Hefter
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?
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bpierce
I don’t think that cookie will hold up to a Popsicle stick. Sorry!
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Bryan Gierloff
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?!?
Reply
bpierce
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!
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Carol Hacker
My thoughts exactly!!!!!
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Elizabeth
How does one store them? Must they be refridgerated?
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bpierce
No they do not need to be refrigerated. Sorry about the delay. I have been out of town. 🙂
Reply
Alexandra
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.
Reply
bpierce
So glad that you like them!
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Janet Levine
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?
Reply
bpierce
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.
Reply
Kimberly
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..
Reply
bpierce
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.
Reply
Jennifer
Use a spoon!!
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Sheila
Could white chocolate chips be added to these cookies?
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bpierce
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.
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Crystal
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.
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Mary Jo
I agree. I think the chips would weigh the cookie down. It is SO good the way it is.
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Beth Pierce
Thanks again Mary Jo!
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Daryn
Does it have to be butter or can margarine be substituted?
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bpierce
This is one of those recipes that needs butter! I would not substitute on this one! Happy cooking!
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Moonmonkey
Believe it or not, butter is healthier than margarine.
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bpierce
Yes I know and I love it!
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Sandra
What is the measurement a stick of butter as in newzealand we don’t have sticks of butter . . We have grams thanks
Reply
bpierce
113 grams 1 stick or 1/2 cup butter is equal to 4 ounces, or 113 grams. Happy baking!!
Reply
Monica
113 grams 🙂
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Joyce
Gotta try them
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Deanne
How many does this yield…none of these recipes tell this
Reply
Beth Pierce
24 yummy cookies
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Janet
Maybe mine our smaller than 1″ because i am done with 2 dozen and have more o bake
Reply
Beth Pierce
Could be. It is just an approximation. 😉
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Amanda Ensign
Do you just add the mix dry without any of the ingredients on the box?
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Beth Pierce
Yes that is correct do NOT add the ingredients on the box
Reply
Casey
I made 40 using a small cookie scoop.
Reply
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much for the heads up!!
Reply
Amy
My families and church groups favorite cookies! Thank you for sharing.
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