Gooey Butter Cookies – The Softest, Sweetest Cookies You’ll Ever Make
If you’re craving a cookie that’s soft, rich, melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and impossible to resist, these
Gooey Butter Cookies are exactly what you need. Every bite delivers a perfect balance of creamy butteriness, sweet vanilla flavor, and a signature powdered-sugar coating that makes them taste like a bakery treat. This recipe is loved for its pillowy texture, simple ingredients, and warm, nostalgic flavor—the kind of cookie that disappears from the plate long before they have time to cool.
This high-quality, SEO-optimized recipe blog will walk you through everything: a detailed ingredient breakdown,
step-by-step instructions, expert baking tips, and serving suggestions that turn these cookies into a show-stopping dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients & Their Roles
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter – Adds richness and helps create that soft, tender crumb.
- 8 oz Cream Cheese – The star ingredient that gives these cookies their signature gooey texture.
- 1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar – Provides sweetness and helps the cookies spread just slightly.
- 2 Large Eggs – Bind the dough and add moisture.
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract – Adds warm, aromatic flavor that enhances the butteriness.
- 2 ¼ cups All-Purpose Flour – Creates the structure of the cookies while keeping them soft.
- 2 tsp Baking Powder – Helps the cookies rise into fluffy, pillowy perfection.
- ¼ tsp Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar – Used for rolling the dough balls to create that beautiful crackled, snowy finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cream the butter and cream cheese.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. This creates the rich base that makes the cookies gooey. - Add sugar and mix well.
Pour in the granulated sugar and continue beating until the mixture is light and creamy. - Mix in eggs and vanilla.
Add the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated. - Combine dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms. - Chill the dough.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This helps the dough firm up so you can roll it easily and ensures perfect baking texture. - Roll into balls.
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough, roll into a ball, then coat generously in powdered sugar. - Bake.
Place the coated dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, until the tops crackle and the edges are set. - Cool & enjoy.
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. They will firm up slightly but stay irresistibly soft.
Why These Gooey Butter Cookies Are Loved
- They are incredibly soft, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth.
- The dough is easy to prepare and beginner-friendly.
- The powdered-sugar coating creates a beautiful crackled finish.
- Perfect for holidays, parties, gift boxes, or everyday cravings.
Pro Tips for Perfect Gooey Butter Cookies
- Always chill the dough—it prevents spreading and keeps the centers gooey.
- Don’t overbake. Remove them when the edges set but the centers look slightly soft.
- Use room-temperature butter and cream cheese for the smoothest dough.
- Double roll in powdered sugar for extra snowy, bakery-style cookies.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of tea.
- Dust extra powdered sugar over the top for a festive touch.
- Serve with fresh berries for a beautiful dessert plate.
- Pair with vanilla ice cream for a sweet, creamy combo.
Conclusion
These Gooey Butter Cookies are everything you want in a homemade treat—simple to make, absolutely delicious, and guaranteed to impress anyone who tries them. With their creamy texture, buttery sweetness, and irresistible powdered-sugar finish, they’re the kind of cookie recipe you’ll return to again and again. Make them once, and they instantly become a family favorite.
Soft, simple, and stunning—these cookies are designed to outrank the competition with flavor and quality.