Gluten Free Gooey Butter Cookies

These Gluten Free Gooey Butter Cookies are soft, buttery, and incredibly easy to make! Perfect cookies recipes gluten free that everyone will love.

You know those mornings when you need something sweet but don’t have three hours to spend in the kitchen? Last Tuesday, I was staring into my pantry wondering what magic I could pull together before my daughter’s playdate. That’s when I remembered these Gluten Free Gooey Butter Cookies sitting in my recipe box.

Here’s the thing about these cookies—they’re ridiculously simple. Just a handful of pantry staples, about 15 minutes of hands-on time, and you’ve got yourself the softest, most cloud-like treats that literally melt on your tongue. The cream cheese and butter create this incredible texture that’s somehow both rich and light at the same time.

I’ve been making various cookies recipes gluten free for years now, and honestly? These might be my favorite. They’re forgiving enough for beginners but impressive enough to bring to holiday gatherings. Plus, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation, maintaining a strict gluten-free diet is essential for those with celiac disease, so having reliable go-to recipes like this makes life so much easier.

Whether you’re newly gluten-free or you’ve been at this for years, these gf butter cookies are about to become your new kitchen staple. Trust me on this one.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Butter (salted, room temp)
• 8 oz Cream Cheese (block style, room temp)
• 2 Large Eggs (room temp)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. Vanilla Extract
• 2 3/4 cup King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten Free Blend (400 grams)
• 1 1/2 cup Sugar (300 grams, regular granulated)
• 2 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt (4 grams; increase to 1 tsp if using unsalted butter)
• Powdered Sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the room temperature butter and block of cream cheese. This is where the magic starts for these Gluten Free Gooey Butter Cookies!

Step 2: Mix with a stand mixer or hand mixer until smooth and creamy. You want it looking like fluffy frosting.

Step 3: Add the eggs and vanilla into the large bowl and mix until completely smooth. Don’t rush this part—proper mixing makes these cookies recipes gluten free turn out perfectly every time.

Step 4: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. This helps distribute everything evenly.

Step 5: Working in batches, add about 1/3 of the dry ingredients into the large bowl with your butter and cream cheese mixture. Mix with your stand or hand mixer until just combined.

Step 6: Continue adding the dry mixture in batches. You’ll need to stop the mixer occasionally and scrape the dough down to ensure everything combines properly. (Gluten-free flours get denser as they hydrate and tend to climb up the beaters—totally normal! Just give it a good scrape.)

Step 7: Cover the bowl of dough with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. This step is crucial for these gluten free cake batter cookies to hold their shape.

Step 8: About 20 minutes into the chill time, preheat your oven to 350°F.

Step 9: Line baking sheets with parchment paper and fill a shallow bowl with powdered sugar.

Step 10: Using a 1 1/2 tablespoon scoop, portion out scoops of cookie dough. Use your hands to roll each into a ball, then roll generously through the powdered sugar. Make sure every bit is coated!

Step 11: Give each ball a gentle press to flatten slightly. If the powdered sugar seems to be absorbing into the dough, double-dip for extra coverage.

Step 12: Place the rolled cookies onto lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart. You should fit about 12 cookies per sheet (3 rows of 4).

Step 13: Keep unused dough refrigerated between batches. If it gets too warm, your gf butter cookies will spread too much and lose that perfect thickness.

Step 14: Bake for 12-14 minutes at 350°F. The cookies should feel soft to the touch with a little give—that’s how you know they’re perfectly gooey!

Step 15: Let cookies cool on a wire rack to set before diving into the gooey goodness.

Substitutions & Swaps

Different Flour Blend? You can use Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 or Cup4Cup instead of King Arthur. Just make sure it’s a measure-for-measure blend that contains xanthan gum for the best texture in these cookies recipes gluten free.

Dairy-Free Version? Swap the butter for vegan butter sticks (I like Miyoko’s) and use dairy-free cream cheese. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious for these gluten free cake batter cookies.

No Cream Cheese? While cream cheese is what makes these Gluten Free Gooey Butter Cookies so special, you could try using mascarpone in a pinch. The flavor will be milder but still lovely.

Sugar Alternatives? You can replace half the sugar with coconut sugar, though it’ll give a slight caramel flavor. I wouldn’t recommend sugar substitutes here—they don’t perform well with the gooey texture.

Vanilla Extract Running Low? Use vanilla bean paste or even almond extract for a fun twist on these gf butter cookies.

Troubleshooting Tips

Cookies spreading too flat? Your dough got too warm. Make sure to keep it chilled between batches, and don’t skip that 30-minute refrigeration time. It’s essential for these cookies recipes gluten free to maintain their shape.

Dough too sticky to roll? Pop it back in the fridge for another 10-15 minutes. Cold dough is your best friend when making these Gluten Free Gooey Butter Cookies.

Powdered sugar disappearing? The dough is absorbing it because it’s too warm or you didn’t use enough. Roll them twice in powdered sugar and work quickly.

Cookies too dense? Make sure your butter and cream cheese were truly at room temperature before starting. Cold ingredients don’t incorporate properly and can make these gluten free cake batter cookies heavy.

Edges browning too quickly? Your oven might run hot. Drop the temperature to 325°F and bake for a couple minutes longer.

Not gooey enough? You might be overbaking them. These gf butter cookies should look slightly underdone when you pull them out. They’ll continue cooking as they cool.

Storage & Meal Prep

Room Temperature: Store these Gluten Free Gooey Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They stay beautifully soft!

Refrigerator: Keep them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to one week. Let them come to room temp before eating for the best gooey texture.

Freezer: These cookies recipes gluten free freeze wonderfully! Layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Freezing Cookie Dough: This is my favorite trick! Scoop and roll the dough balls in powdered sugar, then freeze them on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time. Fresh gluten free cake batter cookies whenever you want them!

Make-Ahead Tip: Mix the dough up to 24 hours ahead and keep it refrigerated. Just let it sit out for 5-10 minutes before scooping to make rolling easier.

Gift-Worthy Packaging: These gf butter cookies look gorgeous in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon. Perfect for teacher gifts or holiday cookie swaps!

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

Coffee Time: These Gluten Free Gooey Butter Cookies are absolutely heavenly with a hot cup of coffee or tea. The buttery sweetness pairs perfectly with a dark roast.

Ice Cream Sandwiches: Sandwich a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two cookies. Game changer. My kids go absolutely wild for this combo with these cookies recipes gluten free.

Breakfast Treat: I won’t tell if you won’t. Pair one with Greek yogurt and berries for a slightly more balanced morning indulgence.

Dessert Platter: Arrange these gluten free cake batter cookies on a platter with fresh berries and whipped cream for an effortless yet impressive dessert spread.

Milk & Cookies: Obviously! The classic pairing never gets old. These gf butter cookies are soft enough that they don’t crumble when dunked.

Afternoon Snack: Pack a couple in your kid’s lunchbox or enjoy with a cold glass of almond milk for that perfect 3 PM pick-me-up.

Variations & Dietary Adjustments

Chocolate Chip Addition: Fold 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips into the dough for chocolatey pockets of joy in these Gluten Free Gooey Butter Cookies.

Lemon Version: Add 2 tablespoons of lemon zest and swap 1 tablespoon of vanilla for lemon extract. Roll in a mix of powdered sugar and lemon zest for bright, citrusy cookies recipes gluten free.

Pumpkin Spice Fall Twist: Add 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice to the dry ingredients. Perfect for autumn cravings!

Funfetti Fun: Mix in 1/3 cup rainbow sprinkles for kid-approved gluten free cake batter cookies that feel like a party.

Almond Joy Inspired: Add 1/2 cup shredded coconut and 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips to the dough. Roll in powdered sugar mixed with a bit of cocoa powder.

Nut-Free Note: This recipe is naturally nut-free, making these gf butter cookies safe for most school events and allergy-conscious gatherings.

Egg-Free Option: Try using two flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tablespoons water, let sit 5 minutes). The texture will be slightly different but still delicious for these Gluten Free Gooey Butter Cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

These Gluten Free Gooey Butter Cookies have honestly saved me so many times when I needed something quick, delicious, and impressive. There’s something magical about pulling a batch of these from the oven—your whole house smells like a bakery, and everyone suddenly appears in the kitchen with hopeful faces.

What I love most is how accessible this recipe is. You don’t need any fancy ingredients or complicated techniques. Just real, simple stuff mixed together with a little love. And whether you’ve been gluten-free for decades or you’re just starting out, these cookies recipes gluten free prove that you’re not missing out on anything.

The gooey texture, the buttery flavor, that gorgeous powdered sugar coating—every bite reminds me why I fell in love with baking in the first place. Make a batch this weekend. Your future self (and anyone lucky enough to share them with you) will thank you.

If you loved these gf butter cookies, you’ll definitely want to try my best gluten-free chocolate chip cookies next. They’re another family favorite that never disappoints!

And if you’re looking for more gluten-free staples, don’t miss my cassava flour tortillas recipe—perfect for taco night!