Gooey Butter Cookies

Prep: 70 min Cook: 11 min Cuisine: American

Gooey butter cookies are rich, soft treats with a buttery flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, perfect for cookie lovers and ideal for satisfying sweet cravings.

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Ingredients

  • 1 box Duncan Hines butter cake mix
  • 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1/4 tsp. vanilla
  • powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients, except powdered sugar, in a bowl.
  2. Chill dough for 1 hour.
  3. Roll dough into balls.
  4. Roll balls in powdered sugar.
  5. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

Tips & Substitutions

For a richer flavor, consider using a high-quality vanilla extract. If you want to reduce the sweetness, you can cut back on the powdered sugar when rolling the cookies. If you don’t have butter cake mix, you can substitute it with yellow cake mix for a similar taste. Ensure the cream cheese is softened for easier mixing, and you can use a hand mixer for a smoother dough.

Serving Suggestions

These gooey butter cookies are delightful on their own but also pair well with a cup of coffee or tea. They make a great dessert at gatherings or can be served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious treat. For a fun twist, try serving them with a drizzle of caramel sauce or alongside Frosted Flakes Cookies for a delightful dessert platter.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for about a week. If you prefer a warm treat, you can reheat them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, just until they're slightly warm and gooey.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Gooey Butter Cookies contains roughly 498 calories, with 2g protein, 56g carbohydrates, and 15g fat.

498 kcal 25% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 1.8g 4% DV
Total Fat 15.5g 20% DV
Carbs 56.1g 20% DV
Fiber 0g
Sugar 34.8g 70% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 77.3mg 3% DV
Potassium 219.8mg 5% DV
Cholesterol 68.5mg 23% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 16.7mcg 2% DV
Vitamin C 0.1mg
Calcium 63.7mg 5% DV
Iron 0.6mg 3% DV
Diet fit Low-fat
Contains Milk Egg

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cake mix for this recipe?

Yes, you can use yellow cake mix as a substitute for the butter cake mix. It will give you a slightly different flavor but still deliver a deliciously gooey texture.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

The cookies should be lightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center when they are done. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.

Can I freeze the dough for later use?

Absolutely! You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking. Just place them on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When you're ready to bake, you can bake them directly from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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