Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
If you’re looking for a cookie that brings all the joy and sparkle of the holidays, look no further than these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies. Picture rich cream cheese and butter blended together, then mixed with cake mix and rolled in powdered sugar, delivering the most irresistibly soft and chewy bite. Festive sprinkles on top make each one a piece of edible holiday art. Whether you’re baking for your loved ones or gifting a homemade treat, these cookies are the perfect blend of simplicity, fun, and unbeatable holiday flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies lies in their handful of simple but absolutely essential ingredients. Each one plays a starring role, working together to produce that signature tender, decadent texture and festive look that everyone loves at first bite.
- Cream cheese (8 oz, softened): Creates the gooey, melt-in-your-mouth texture that sets these cookies apart from all others.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Adds buttery richness, keeping each cookie soft and subtly savory.
- Large egg: Binds everything together, ensuring your cookies are tender but never crumbly.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances the cake mix and adds a sweet, aromatic warmth you can taste in every bite.
- Yellow cake mix (15.25 oz box): The baking shortcut here! It brings sweetness and a soft crumb, so your cookies are perfectly light.
- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup, for rolling): Gives each cookie its signature crackled, snowy coating and a gentle extra hint of sweetness.
- Red and green sprinkles (optional): Offer a festive pop of color that makes these cookies utterly perfect for Christmas gatherings.
How to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Step 1: Cream Cheese and Butter Heaven
Start by placing the softened cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat them together until the mixture is fluffy and completely smooth. This step sets the whole stage for the luscious, gooey texture that makes Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies so special, so don’t rush it!
Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla
Once your butter and cream cheese mix resembles soft clouds, add in the large egg and vanilla extract. Beat again until these are fully incorporated. The egg ensures a tender bite, while vanilla weaves a subtle warmth through every cookie.
Step 3: Introduce the Cake Mix
Slowly sprinkle in the yellow cake mix and mix on a low speed until everything comes together into a sticky dough. It’s going to look thick and pretty tacky at this stage — that means you’re doing it right!
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Cover your bowl with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least one hour. Chilling the dough is key: it firms things up and makes rolling the cookies a breeze, all while intensifying those amazing flavors.
Step 5: Shape, Roll, and Sprinkle
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop up heaping tablespoons of dough and roll them into balls with your hands. Next, roll each dough ball generously in powdered sugar. Place them on your prepared baking sheet, spacing about two inches apart. If you want extra holiday pizzazz, press red and green sprinkles on top for that unmistakable Christmas spirit.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, just until the edges are set. The centers should still look a touch soft and underbaked. This is what gives Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies their signature gooey middle!
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This little rest period helps them hold their shape and avoids any gooey breakage (no one wants to lose even a crumb of these delights!).
How to Serve Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Garnishes
A simple dusting of extra powdered sugar always makes these cookies look like they’ve been kissed by a winter flurry. For that unmistakable Christmas cheer, red and green sprinkles on top are both eye-catching and fun, instantly dressing up your treats for the season’s festivities.
Side Dishes
For the perfect cookie plate, pair your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies with a mug of rich hot chocolate or steaming spiced cider. They’re also lovely alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a bowl of fresh berries for a dessert spread that pleases every palate.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the cookies in a festive tin lined with parchment, or arrange them in clear cellophane bags tied with a pretty ribbon for gifting. For a party table, stack them high on a tiered dessert tray or tuck them around a gingerbread house for an extra-special Christmas centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and chewy for several days, making them a great bake-ahead treat for busy holiday schedules or cookie swaps.
Freezing
You can freeze both the unbaked dough balls (before rolling in powdered sugar) and the baked cookies. For dough balls, freeze on a sheet then transfer to a resealable bag; later, let them thaw slightly before rolling in sugar and baking fresh. Baked cookies should be separated by parchment in an airtight container for up to two months. Let thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
If you love slightly warm cookies, pop a few on a plate and microwave for 5–10 seconds. They’ll taste just like they came out of the oven, with their gooey centers revived and ready to melt in your mouth all over again.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix gives these cookies a classic, buttery base, feel free to experiment with white, spice, or even chocolate cake mixes for fresh holiday twists.
Is it possible to make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies gluten-free?
Yes, just substitute your favorite gluten-free yellow cake mix for the regular one. All the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy these festive sweets.
Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Definitely. The dough can be made up to two days in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. It actually becomes even easier to handle after a longer chill.
My cookies look underbaked in the center. Should I bake them longer?
No, the slightly soft center is exactly what you want for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies. They firm up as they cool, giving you that perfect gooey texture.
How do I tint the dough with food coloring?
Just add a few drops of red or green food coloring after the cake mix is incorporated and mix well until the color is even throughout. You can even split the dough and make both colors for a dazzling cookie platter!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about a platter of Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies on the table: the dreamy texture, the festive colors, and the joy they bring to every cookie lover. Trust me, once you bake up a batch, they’ll quickly become a holiday tradition in your home. Pour yourself some cocoa, share with friends and family, and savor every gooey, buttery bite!
Print
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (includes chilling)
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive twist on a classic treat, featuring a rich, chewy texture and a hint of vanilla. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cookie exchanges!
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (15.25 oz) box yellow cake mix
For Rolling/Decorating:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- Red and green sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Gradually add cake mix and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Chill Dough: Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop dough into balls, roll in powdered sugar, place on baking sheet, and decorate with sprinkles if desired.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set but centers are still soft.
- Cool and Enjoy: Cool on pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a festive touch, add a few drops of food coloring to the dough before chilling.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for soft, chewy treats that last several days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
