Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
Get ready to spread some serious holiday cheer with Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies! These simple yet irresistible cookies combine the rich, tangy flavor of cream cheese with the softness of cake mix, all rolled in festive red and green sugar for a sparkly finish. Sweet, pillowy, and downright addictive, they’re perfect for gifting, cookie exchanges, or just treating your family to a little seasonal magic. If you love a cookie that melts in your mouth and looks absolutely adorable on your dessert table, you’re in for a treat—these will be the new stars of your holiday baking lineup.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how just a handful of classic pantry staples can transform into such showstopping treats! Each ingredient in Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies plays a starring role, whether it’s adding creaminess, boosting flavor, or making each bite as delightfully soft as a winter snowfall.
- Cream cheese (8 oz, softened): The secret weapon for ultimate richness and gooey texture.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Brings out that buttery flavor and makes every cookie melt in your mouth.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and helps give these cookies their tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Elevates the flavor and adds fragrant warmth that feels like a holiday hug.
- Vanilla cake mix (15.25 oz box): Keeps things easy and infuses the cookies with classic vanilla sweetness.
- Red and green sanding sugar or sprinkles: Bring the merry and bright, giving the cookies their festive color and sparkle.
- Optional powdered sugar (for dusting): Adds a snowy finish—pretty and sweet.
How to Make Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies
Step 1: Make the Creamy Cookie Base
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. This step sets the foundation for the cookies’ irresistible texture, so be sure to blend thoroughly—no lumps allowed!
Step 2: Add Flavor and Bind
Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract, then beat until everything is silky and totally incorporated. You’re building layers of flavor that will shine in every bite of your Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies.
Step 3: Mix in the Cake Mix
Gradually add the vanilla cake mix to your bowl, mixing slowly until a soft, sticky dough forms. This shortcut ingredient is what gives the cookies their signature ease and nostalgic flavor. The dough will be thick and a little bit tacky—and that’s exactly what you want!
Step 4: Chill Out
Cover the bowl and pop the dough in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This step firms up the dough, making it much easier to handle and ensuring your cookies hold their beautiful shape in the oven.
Step 5: Shape and Roll
Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll each into a ball. Next, roll those dough balls in red or green sanding sugar, giving every cookie a sparkly, festive look. Place them on your baking sheet at least 2 inches apart.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges look set but the centers are still gorgeously soft. That’s the key for the ooey gooey middle! Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Add the Finishing Touch
Optional but highly recommended: dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar to give them that perfect wintry look. Now stand back and admire your handiwork!
How to Serve Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies
Garnishes
For a snowy, magical finish, dust your Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle them with white chocolate. You can also top with extra sprinkles right after baking for maximum wow factor.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a mug of creamy hot chocolate, a steaming cup of coffee, or even spiced cider for a truly cozy snack. On a cookie platter, they look beautiful alongside chocolate crinkle cookies, gingerbread, or peppermint bark.
Creative Ways to Present
Pile your Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies in a rustic basket lined with parchment, pack them in festive tins for neighbor gifts, or tie a bundle with twine and a sprig of rosemary for a homemade holiday touch. Stack them into a “cookie tree” or use them as sparkly toppers for holiday ice cream sundaes!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any uneaten Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They remain soft and fresh for up to five days, making them perfect for baking ahead of time or enjoying throughout the holiday week.
Freezing
Want to plan way ahead? Freeze the unbaked, sugar-coated dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag once firm. Or freeze the baked cookies with parchment between layers. Both options keep well for up to 3 months—just defrost and enjoy!
Reheating
If your cookies have been chilled or frozen, a quick zap in the microwave (about 10 seconds) revives that ooey gooey magic. Alternatively, letting them sit out at room temperature for a little while will bring back their softness without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Absolutely! While vanilla cake mix gives that classic butter cookie taste, you can try lemon, red velvet, or even spice cake mix for a fun twist. Each will bring its own unique flair to your Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies.
Why does the dough need to chill?
Chilling is crucial for easy handling and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. Cold dough bakes up thicker, maintaining that soft, gooey center every time.
Do I have to use sanding sugar?
Nope! You can roll them in classic powdered sugar for beautiful crinkle cookies, or use any color sprinkles you like. Make them match your holiday or skip the extra sugar altogether if you prefer.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite gluten-free vanilla cake mix, and you’ll have a batch of gluten-free Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies that everyone can enjoy. Just make sure your other ingredients are certified gluten-free as well.
How do I prevent the cookies from overbaking?
Keep a close eye during the last couple minutes in the oven. The cookies are ready when the edges look set but the centers are still soft. Remember, they’ll continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about whipping up Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies—the sparkle, the holiday colors, and, of course, that melt-in-your-mouth bite. If you want a treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, give these a try. Happy holidays, and enjoy every gooey, glittery bite!
Print
Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive and delicious treat that are perfect for the holiday season. Made with cream cheese, butter, and cake mix, these cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor. Roll them in colorful sanding sugar for a festive touch!
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Mixture:
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 (15.25 oz) box vanilla cake mix
- Red and green sanding sugar or sprinkles, for rolling
- Optional powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.
- Gradually mix in the cake mix until a soft dough forms. Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Roll each ball in red or green sanding sugar, then place on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optionally, dust with powdered sugar once cooled.
Notes
- You can switch up the colors for different holidays or roll in powdered sugar for a crinkle cookie look.
- Keep stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
