Gooey Butter Cookies

Gooey Butter Cookies are a delightful and irresistibly sweet treat originating from St. Louis, Missouri. They are known for their rich, buttery taste, paired with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that leaves you craving more. What makes these cookies unique is their cake-like softness and distinctively dense, chewy center, reminiscent of the more well-known Gooey Butter Cake. The outer layer of each cookie is delicately coated in powdered sugar, adding a slight crispness to the first bite before you encounter the soft gooey interior. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these cookies are guaranteed to charm you and your guests with their delightful simplicity and heavenly taste.

Ingredients for Gooey Butter Cookies

List of Ingredients with Measurements

Creating the perfect Gooey Butter Cookie involves a select combination of standard baking ingredients, with a few key players that give these cookies their signature texture and flavor:

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (114 grams, softened)
• 8 ounces cream cheese (softened, one package)
• 1 1/2 cups sugar (300 grams)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla (15 grams)
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (270 grams)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup powdered sugar (120 grams)

Optional Ingredient Substitutions

While this classic recipe is perfect as it is, here are a few substitutions you might consider to suit your dietary preferences or ingredient availability:

• Butter: Swap with margarine or a plant-based butter for a non-dairy option.
• Cream Cheese: Opt for vegan cream cheese if necessary, although it may slightly alter the texture.
• Sugar: Substitute with coconut sugar or a sugar alternative for a different flavor profile.
• Flour: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour to make it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

How to Make Gooey Butter Cookies Directions

Creating Gooey Butter Cookies brings joy to any kitchen. Follow these detailed instructions to achieve the perfect batch.

Step 1: Preparing the Ingredients

Start by ensuring your key ingredients—unsalted butter and cream cheese—are thoroughly softened. This can be achieved by letting them sit at room temperature for about an hour prior to baking. Properly softened ingredients will ensure a smooth mix without lumps, which is crucial for achieving the ideal cookie texture.

Step 2: Mixing the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and cream cheese using an electric or stand mixer set to medium speed. Blend until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. This should only take a couple of minutes, but remember to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly mixed.

Next, add the sugar, vanilla, and salt to the bowl. Continue mixing until these ingredients are fully incorporated, creating a light and fluffy mixture. Add in the egg and the egg yolk, continuing to blend just until they’re combined. The addition of extra yolk provides richness to the cookies, enhancing their gooey center.

Step 3: Finishing the Dough

Reduce your mixer’s speed to low and carefully add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the wet ingredients. Mix just until you see no trace of dry ingredients. Overmixing at this stage can lead to tougher cookies, so aim for a gentle incorporation.

Step 4: Shaping and Baking

Using a #40 or a cookie scoop that holds approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons, portion out the dough, ensuring each scoop is level to achieve uniform cookies. Directly drop each portion of dough into a separate bowl filled with powdered sugar, and roll to coat completely.

Place the coated dough balls onto a silicone or parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of separation between each. This allows enough space for the cookies to expand without merging. Optionally, you can slightly flatten the dough balls for wider, flatter cookies.

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Bake one sheet at a time for 14 minutes. The cookies should look slightly underdone and should not brown at the edges or bottom. This ensures the gooey center we all love.

Step 5: Cooling and Final Touches

Allow cookies to cool directly on the baking sheet until they’re firm enough to handle. This typically takes about 10 minutes. For additional sweetness, roll the cooled cookies in extra powdered sugar before serving.

How to Serve Gooey Butter Cookies

Gooey Butter Cookies shine even brighter with the right presentation and pairings.

Best Ways to Serve Gooey Butter Cookies

These cookies are ideally served fresh out of the oven, retaining that signature gooeyness. However, even when cooled, they do hold their delightful texture. Arrange them on a decorative plate if you’re serving these cookies for guests or a gathering.

Serving Suggestions or Pairings

The sweet and buttery richness of Gooey Butter Cookies pairs exceptionally well with warm beverages. Consider serving them with a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea. For an extra indulgent treat, pair them with hot chocolate, topped with marshmallows for an unforgettable dessert experience during colder months.

How to Store Gooey Butter Cookies

Proper storage can help extend the shelf life of these delightful cookies, ensuring continued enjoyment.

Proper Storage Methods

Store your Gooey Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. When stored correctly, they’ll remain fresh and delicious for up to 3-5 days, which is more than enough time to savour each one.

Tips for Reheating or Freezing

To maintain their gooey texture, avoid refrigerating the cookies. If you’d like your cookies warm, you can pop them in the microwave for a few seconds before serving. For longer storage, freeze the dough balls—coated in powdered sugar but unbaked—on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a sealable freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, simply add a few extra minutes to the oven time.

Tips to Make Gooey Butter Cookies

Achieving the perfect Gooey Butter Cookie takes a bit of practice, but these tips will guide you to success.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overmixing the Dough: This is a common error when making cookies and can lead to less tender results. Mix until ingredients are just combined.
• Baking Too Long: These cookies should appear underdone when you take them out of the oven. Overbaking will result in a loss of gooey texture.

Helpful Tips for Better Results

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all dairy components are thoroughly softened. This creates a smoother batter for even baking.
• Fresh Ingredients Matter: Fresh baking powder can greatly affect the rise and texture of your cookies.

Variation of Gooey Butter Cookies

Gooey Butter Cookies are a fantastic base for experimenting with flavors and dietary needs.

Suggested Variations or Twists on the Recipe

Enhance your cookies with these creative variants:

• Citrus Twist: Add a hint of lemon or orange zest to the batter for a refreshing zest.
• Spiced Cookies: Integrate ground spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, aromatic flavor profile.

Adjustments for Dietary Preferences

• For a non-dairy version, replace the cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese. While this may slightly alter the texture, it still results in a delicious cookie.
• For a lower sugar variant, try using a sugar substitute that measures equally to maintain the flavor without the extra calories.

FAQs

What can I do if the dish isn’t turning out right?

If your cookies aren’t turning out as expected, check the following:

• Make sure you’re accurately measuring ingredients. Use a kitchen scale for precision.
• Confirm your baking powder’s effectiveness; expired ingredients can impact rising.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance. Keep it refrigerated for up to 24 hours if preparing it the day before or freeze as instructed above for a longer period.

What can I substitute for ingredients?

There are several substitutes you can use:

• Replace butter with margarine for a non-dairy option.
• Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-sensitive variant.
• Swap sugar for a lower-calorie sweetener fit for baking.

With these detailed instructions and flavorful variations, your next batch of Gooey Butter Cookies is sure to win hearts and stimulate taste buds. Enjoy baking and, even more so, indulging in these sweet, buttery delights!