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Lemon cookie bars cut and ready to serve

Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies


  • Author: Jaxon Mercer
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These lemon gooey butter cookies are soft, buttery, and bursting with tangy citrus flavor. Their melt-in-your-mouth texture and sunny yellow color make them a cheerful treat for any occasion. With simple pantry ingredients and easy steps, this dessert is as satisfying to make as it is to shar


Ingredients

For the Crust

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Filling

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Zest of 2 large lemons

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • Powdered sugar, for dusting


Instructions

Making the Crust

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

  3. Gradually add in the flour and salt, mixing until just combined.

  4. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.

Preparing the Filling
5. In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
6. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
7. Stir in the lemon zest, sugar, flour, and salt.
8. Mix in the lemon juice until the filling is smooth and creamy.
9. Pour the filling over the crust and spread evenly.

 

Baking and Cooling
10. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is set.
11. Cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
12. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

Don’t overbake – the center should still be slightly soft to keep the cookies gooey.
Let the bars cool completely before slicing for the best texture.
Add a teaspoon of lemon extract for extra lemon punch if desired.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert, lunch
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bars
  • Calories: 210 kcal
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 130 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: <1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg

Keywords: lemon gooey butter cookies, lemon dessert, easy cookie bars, citrus bars, summer treats