Heavenly Paula Deen Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe for Beginners

Gooey butter cookies unleash a symphony of sweetness that captures pure culinary bliss in every crumbly bite.

These divine treats whisper decadence through their velvety texture and irresistible charm.

Cream cheese and powdered sugar collaborate to craft a dessert that transcends ordinary expectations.

Effortless to create, these cookies demand minimal effort but deliver maximum satisfaction.

Each morsel melts languidly on your tongue, releasing waves of buttery richness.

Soft and pillowy, they represent comfort baked into delectable perfection.

You’ll fall head over heels for this simple yet extraordinary recipe that transforms basic ingredients into extraordinary magic.

Grab your mixing bowl and let the cookie adventure begin!

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Gooey Butter Cookies

• Cream Cheese: Select full-fat, room temperature variety for rich, smooth texture.
• Butter: Choose unsalted, high-quality butter for pure, clean flavor.
• Egg: Pick fresh, large eggs with clean, uncracked shells.

• Vanilla Extract: Opt for pure extract over artificial for deep, authentic taste.
• Cake Mix: Select white or yellow mix for neutral, versatile cookie foundation.

• Confectioner's Sugar: Use fine, powdery sugar for smooth, even dusting that melts beautifully on warm cookies.

Tools Required for Gooey Cookie Baking

• Electric Mixer: Perfect for creating smooth, creamy texture when blending cream cheese and butter.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining all ingredients effortlessly.
• Baking Sheet: Flat surface for evenly baking your delicious cookies.
• Tablespoon: Ideal for measuring and rolling consistent cookie dough balls.
• Wire Rack: Helps cookies cool down quickly and maintain their crisp edges.
• Refrigerator: Chills dough to achieve the perfect consistency.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient proportions.

Easy Instructions for Gooey Butter Cookies

• Fire Up The Oven

Warm your kitchen companion to a cozy 350°F, creating the perfect toasty environment for delightful treats.

• Whip Up The Base

Grab your trusty mixer and transform cream cheese and butter into a silky, cloud-like mixture that whispers deliciousness.

• Blend Wet Magic

Splash in a vibrant egg and splash of vanilla, swirling them into a smooth, fragrant dance that promises incredible flavor.

• Fold In The Mix

Gently introduce cake mix to your creamy concoction, transforming the blend into a soft, irresistible dough that begs to be tasted.

• Chill And Rest

Tuck your dough into the refrigerator for a quick two-hour nap, allowing flavors to mingle and texture to become perfectly manageable.

• Shape And Coat

Roll the chilled dough into adorable bite-sized spheres, then lovingly roll each one in a snowfall of powdery sugar.

• Bake To Perfection

Arrange your sugar-kissed balls on a baking sheet, giving them space to spread their delicious wings. Slide into the oven and watch magic happen for about 12 minutes until edges turn golden and centers remain tantalizingly soft.

• Cool And Celebrate

Transfer your heavenly cookies to a cooling rack, letting them rest briefly before dusting with an extra sprinkle of sugary magic.

Pro Tips and Fun Twists for Cookies

• Customize Cookie Coatings: Experiment with rolling your cookie balls in different toppings like crushed nuts, colorful sprinkles, or cocoa powder for a unique twist.
• Master Chilling Techniques: Extend refrigeration time up to 24 hours for deeper flavor development and more concentrated richness in your cookies.
• Create Flavor Variations: Swap vanilla extract with almond, lemon, or peppermint extract to transform the cookie's taste profile and surprise your taste buds.
• Texture Modification Magic: Slightly underbake cookies for an extra gooey center, or bake a few minutes longer for a crispier exterior that still maintains a soft inside.

How to Serve Gooey Butter Cookies Just Right

• Serve with Hot Beverages: Pair these soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a steaming cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or herbal tea for a delightful afternoon treat.
• Create a Dessert Platter: Arrange these powdery white cookies alongside other bite-sized desserts like brownies or fruit tarts for an impressive sweet spread during gatherings.
• Gift as Homemade Treats: Package these delicate cookies in cute mason jars or decorative boxes, tied with a ribbon for a charming homemade gift that shows personal touch and love.
• Elevate with Ice Cream: Crumble these cookies over vanilla or chocolate ice cream to add a delicious texture and sweet powdered sugar coating for an indulgent dessert experience.

Storage Guide for Gooey Cookie Freshness

• Preserve Freshness: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them soft and delectable.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for 3 months, ready to enjoy anytime.
• Dough Prep Tip: Make cookie dough ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking. This allows flavors to develop and makes prep easier.
• Serving Suggestion: Serve cookies slightly warm for a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Bring to room temperature before enjoying if stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 24

Velvety Paula Deen Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Paula Deen’s gooey butter cookies blend Southern charm with irresistible sweetness. Rich cream cheese and powdered sugar create a melt-in-your-mouth treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (18 oz / 510 g) moist chocolate cake mix
• 1 (8 oz / 226 g) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 stick (½ cup / 113 g) butter, room temperature
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• confectioner’s sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Position the oven rack centrally and preheat to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal baking environment.
2. Creaming Process: Employ an electric mixer to blend cream cheese and butter until achieving a smooth, lump-free consistency, then seamlessly incorporate the egg with continuous, gentle strokes.
3. Flavor Integration: Introduce vanilla extract and gradually fold in cake mix, mixing until the batter reaches a harmonious texture without overworking the dough.
4. Chilling Phase: Encase the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up for easier handling.
5. Shaping and Coating: Form chilled dough into uniform tablespoon-sized balls, generously rolling each in confectioner’s sugar to create a delicate, sweet exterior.
6. Baking Technique: Arrange sugar-coated dough balls on an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart to prevent merging, then bake for 12 minutes until edges turn golden while maintaining a tender, gooey center.
7. Cooling and Finishing: Transfer cookies to a wire rack, allowing them to cool naturally, and optionally dust with an additional layer of confectioner’s sugar for enhanced sweetness and visual appeal.

Notes

• Chill for Texture: Refrigerating the dough for 2 hours helps develop richer flavors and makes rolling easier, ensuring perfectly shaped cookies.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Generously roll dough balls in confectioner’s sugar for a delicate, sweet exterior that creates a beautiful crackled finish.
• Baking Precision: Watch cookies closely during the 12-minute bake time to maintain a gooey center while achieving golden edges – overcooking ruins the signature texture.
• Storage Tip: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to preserve their soft, melt-in-your-mouth quality.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 27g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg