Easy Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe (no cake mix needed)

Sharing is caring!

Thick, moist, and flavorful describe these delicious Gooey Butter Cookies. Made from scratch, but I’ve got a cake mix option if you’re in a pinch!

Click HERE to save recipe to Pinterest

Have you ever taken a bite of a cookie or any dessert, and thought to yourself, OMGosh I need MORE.

I mean, who hasn’t right?

Recently a friend made these Gooey Butter Cookies for a girl’s weekend, and I was just in love with the texture. They stayed just as soft on day one, as they did by the end of our weekend. And having made these a few times myself since then, I can tell you that they stay soft for at least a week!

Have a you ever had a gooey butter cake? I’ve got this Gooey Chocolate Butter Cake recipe that is ridiculously delicious. And it just occurred to me I should totally do that as cookies.

I’ve also got this Gooey Lemon Cake Bars recipe, which I made a version of today’s cookies…that recipe will be coming soon!

What you’ll love about these cookies, besides that they stay fresh forever, and can be frozen, is the rich butter flavor. They aren’t OVERLY sweet, and the addition of almond extract really brings out the flavor even more!

How to make Gooey Butter Cookies

You’ll notice on the internet that these are sometimes referred to as Cake Mix Cookies. And the traditional Gooey Butter Cookie recipe calls for the use of cake mix.

However, I decided that they needed to be made from scratch. Because I don’t always have cake mix in my pantry…but the basic staples of butter, sugar, flour, cream cheese are always in my kitchen.

First you’ll want to beat the cream cheese and butter, and sugar until fluffy. I use an electric mixer and do this on medium speed for about 3 minutes. Add in eggs and almond extract, beating until combined.

Next, add flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. Beat until well blended. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill dough for 30 minutes.

In a small bowl, add powdered sugar. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Using a 2 Tbsp cookie scoop, spoon equal balls of cake batter (cookie dough) and roll in powdered sugar, until generously coated in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheet.

Bake in oven for 11-13 minutes. Remove and cool completely on wire rack.

Cake Mix Cookies

So now that you’ve seen my from scratch version of Gooey Butter Cookies, you’re wondering, okay, but what if I do want to use cake mix?

Super easy substitution. Replace the sugar, flour, baking powder, salt and ONE of the eggs with a box of yellow cake mix. The rest of the directions remain exactly the same!

You may also find recipes that call for nonfat dry milk powder. I don’t normally keep that on hand, and I didn’t feel like running to the grocery store for some, so adding the extra egg and flour  achieved the same desired result. Delicious, fluffy butter cookies!

You may have seen these Orange Chocolate Cookies. They were made with a cake mix, and are so fluffy and moist too!

What you’ll need to make this Cake Mix Cookie Recipe

Baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Large Bowl

Cookie Scoop

Cream Cheese

Butter

Granulated Sugar

Eggs

Almond Extract (or vanilla extract)

All-purpose flour

Kosher salt

Baking Powder

Powdered Sugar (or confectioners sugar)

(If using a cake mix, you’ll need a box of cake mix, either yellow cake mix, white cake mix, or chocolate cake mix)

Want more cookie recipes?

You can always check my cookie archives for some great recipes. But I’ll highlight a few of my absolute favorites to get you started.

The best, chewy Sugar Cookies with a no-chill dough. Topped with a creamy sugar cookie icing, you’ll love this Copycat Swig Sugar Cookie recipe!

Pecan Tassies are tart-like cookies featuring the flavors and textures of pecan pie. Delicious, tender, buttery crust, crunchy pecans, and brown-sugar filling, all in one bite.

Looking for the BEST sugar cookie cut out recipe? These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are so flavorful and they always hold their shape. Don’t forget to add the delicious Vanilla Bean Frosting too!

Buttery and delicious, these Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Shortbread Cookies are the perfect dessert. Add a sprinkle of sea salt and your taste buds will thank you!

Delicious, copycat Iced Oatmeal Cookies. Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside, these glazed Oatmeal cookies are a hit!

This Almond Bars recipe is a sweet treat that has a shortbread-like texture and a delicious almond glaze on top! You’ll want to make extra and freeze them for later!

These Twix cookies have a buttery shortbread cookie base with creamy caramel and chocolate on top! I’m not even kidding when I say they are addictive!

Fill your cookie jar with a batch of these Reese’s Peanut Butter Pudding Cookies from Inside BruCrew Life today! Soft and chewy cookies are always a good idea.

These Red Velvet Sugar Cookies from Wine and Glue are all the delicious flavor of red velvet, buttery soft, and crisp on the outside.  Topped with some of the best cream cheese frosting!

Connect with Shugary Sweets!

Facebook | Twitter |  Pinterest | instagram 

If you LOVE this recipe, share it on Instagram and tag me #shugarysweets so I can see it!

I created a fun little group on facebook and I’d love for you to join in! It’s a place where you can share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, and see what’s new with Shugary Sweets (so that you never miss a new recipe)! If you’d like to check it out, you can request to join HERE.

Yield: 36 cookies

Gooey Butter Cookies

Print

Prep Time 10 minutes

Bake Time 13 minutes

Chill Time 30 minutes

Total Time 53 minutes

Thick, moist, and flavorful describe these delicious Gooey Butter Cookies. Made from scratch, but I've got a cake mix option if you're in a pinch!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until creamy, about 3 minutes.
2. Add in eggs and almond extract, beat until fluffy.
3. Mix in flour, salt, and baking powder until well combined.
4. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. Once chilled, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
6. Scoop out cookie dough with a 2 Tbsp scoop. If your hands are sticky, dip them in the powdered sugar first. Drop cookie dough into powdered sugar and roll in sugar until generously coated.
7. Place on baking sheet and bake for 11-13 minutes. Remove and cool completely on wire rack.
8. Enjoy.

Recommended Products

• 
  AmazonBasics Nonstick Carbon Steel Half Baking Sheet - 2-Pack
• 
  Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper (SmartGrid, Non-Stick, 50 Square Foot Roll, 3 Count)
• 
  Norpro 703 NOR-703 Scoop, SANTOPRENE Handle, 44MM, 2-Tablespoon

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

36

Serving Size:

1 cookie
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 122 Total Fat: 5g Saturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 23mg Sodium: 97mg Carbohydrates: 18g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 11g Protein: 2g

*Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.

**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**