Why This is the Only Gooey Butter Cookies Guide You Need
If you’re torn between baking from scratch for maximum flavor or grabbing a speedy shortcut, you’re in the right place. This guide covers both approaches in one spot, with tried-and-true tips to guarantee your cookies turn out soft, flavorful, and irresistibly gooey every time. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, you’ll find clear instructions and troubleshooting advice here to boost your confidence.
I want you to feel proud every time you pull these cookies from the oven, knowing you have a fail-safe recipe no matter how much time you have. This is more than a recipe; it’s your new go-to resource for gooey butter cookies.
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients for the Best Gooey Butter Cookies
The magic of these cookies starts with choosing the right ingredients for your recipes. I always use full-fat, brick-style cream cheese—not the spreadable tub kind—because it gives the dough the perfect structure and creaminess. The softened vegetable shortening is essential too; don’t melt it, since keeping it soft helps create that tender texture.
Vanilla extract plays a huge role here—1 ½ tablespoons, or 4 ½ teaspoons, is a generous amount that mimics that classic “cake batter” flavor you want. The balance of flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt is just right to keep your cookies soft with a hint of sweetness and a perfect rise.
Understanding these ingredients helps prevent common pitfalls, like crumbly or dense cookies, so you get that melt-in-your-mouth gooeyness every time.
Recommended Tools for Success
To make this recipe a breeze, these tools are your best friends:
- Electric mixer (hand or stand): For creaming the shortening and cream cheese perfectly smooth.
- Medium cookie scoop (about 1 ½ tablespoons): Ensures cookies are the same size and bake evenly.
- Light-colored baking sheets: Prevent over-browning and help cookies bake evenly.
- Parchment paper: For easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
Having these handy will save time and step up your cookie game with consistent results.
How to Make Gooey Butter Cookies (From Scratch)
This from-scratch recipe delivers rich, unbeatable flavor and a soft, cloud-like texture. Here’s how to make these melt-in-your-mouth cookies:
- Cream shortening and cream cheese
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together ½ cup softened vegetable shortening and 8 oz softened brick-style cream cheese until smooth and well-combined. - Add eggs and vanilla
Stir in 2 large room-temperature eggs and 1 ½ tablespoons vanilla extract. - Mix dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. - Combine wet and dry
With the mixer on low speed, gradually stir the dry ingredients into the shortening and cream cheese mixture until completely combined. - Chill the dough
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. - Prepare for baking
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour powdered sugar into a shallow bowl. - Shape and coat dough balls
Scoop out dough by 1 ½ tablespoon-sized balls. Roll each ball smooth between your palms, then roll thoroughly in powdered sugar. Place on the baking sheet at least 2 inches apart. - Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) on the center rack for 10–12 minutes. - Cool completely
Let cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before enjoying.
The Quick & Easy Cake Mix Hack (Beginner-Friendly!)
If you’re short on time or new to baking, the cake mix version is a fantastic shortcut. Here’s what you need:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup melted butter
Instructions:
- Mix cake mix, cream cheese, egg, and melted butter until smooth.
- Roll dough into balls and coat with powdered sugar.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10–12 minutes.
- Cool before enjoying.
It’s super simple and perfect when you want that gooey butter cookie fix fast.
From Scratch vs. Cake Mix: Which is Right for You?
| Method | Time | Cost | Flavor | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Scratch | ~50 minutes | Moderate | Rich, authentic | Moderate |
| Cake Mix | ~20 minutes | Lower | Sweet, quick fix | Easy |
Use this to decide: choose the from-scratch recipe when you want depth and the classic gooey butter cookie taste. Pick the cake mix hack for a fast, reliable treat with minimal fuss.
Aisha’s Tips for Perfectly Crinkled Gooey Butter Cookies
- Always use room temperature eggs and cream cheese; cold ingredients make dough harder to combine.
- Don’t skip chilling the dough—it helps cookies hold shape and develop a delicate texture.
- Use a medium cookie scoop for even-sized cookies that bake evenly.
- For the most classic crinkled tops, roll the dough balls twice in powdered sugar before baking.
- Bake on the center rack to promote even heat and prevent burning.
- Cool cookies fully on the pan so they set up while still soft.
Fun Gooey Butter Cookie Variations
| Variation | Ingredient Swaps | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lemon | Use lemon cake mix, add 1 tbsp lemon zest | Bright, fresh citrus flavor |
| Chocolate | Add ½ cup cocoa powder to dry ingredients | Rich chocolate twist |
| Red Velvet | Use red velvet cake mix, add 1 tsp vanilla | Vibrant color, classic flavor |
These swaps make it easy to customize your recipes while keeping that gooey texture.
Troubleshooting Common Cookie Problems
Why is my dough so sticky and hard to roll?
Make sure cream cheese and shortening are softened but not melted, and chill the dough for the full 30 minutes.
How do I get the perfect cracks on top?
Double roll the dough balls in powdered sugar before baking to encourage beautiful crinkles.
How can I get a gooier center?
Slightly underbake the cookies by 1–2 minutes; they will set as they cool.
Can I make these without an electric mixer?
Yes, but beating the shortening and cream cheese by hand takes about twice as long. Use a sturdy whisk or wooden spoon for best results.
How to Store and Freeze Gooey Butter Cookies
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days to maintain softness.
For freezing:
- Baked cookies: Freeze in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
- Unbaked dough balls: Freeze scooped, rolled dough balls on a tray, then freeze in a sealed bag. Bake from frozen by adding 2–3 minutes to bake time.
Gooey Butter Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cream the shortening and cream cheese with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth.
- Mix in the eggs and vanilla until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- On low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix just until combined.
- Cover the bowl and chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment and place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.
- Scoop 1 1/2-tablespoon portions, roll smooth, coat in powdered sugar, and arrange 2 inches apart on the prepared sheet.
- Bake on the center rack for 10–12 minutes, then cool completely on the baking sheet before serving.
Notes
– The dough is sticky; chilling helps it firm up for easier rolling—don’t skip it. For thicker cookies, chill up to 1 hour.
– Bake just until the tops look set and edges are barely turning matte; they’ll finish setting as they cool. Overbaking reduces the gooey center.
– Roll generously in powdered sugar to encourage a pronounced crinkle.
– Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature up to 4 days. Freeze baked cookies (or unbaked, sugar-coated dough balls) up to 2 months; bake dough balls from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did gooey butter cookies come from?
They originated in St. Louis, Missouri, as a regional specialty blending cake and butter cookie textures to create that distinctive gooey center.
Can I substitute butter for shortening?
Shortening helps keep the cookies tender and less greasy, so it’s best not to substitute if you want classic texture.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free as written. Gluten-free flour blends might work but require adjustment.
Conclusion
These gooey butter cookies are proof that amazing, soft, and comforting treats are achievable for every home cook. Whether you prefer my from-scratch recipe with its rich flavor or the quick and easy cake mix hack, you’ll end up with cookies everyone will love. I’d love to see your creations! Which version did you try—from scratch or the cake mix hack? Leave a comment and a star rating below to let me know how they turned out!
