These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive treat that practically melt in your mouth. With their soft, chewy texture and vibrant holiday sprinkles, they’re perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or simply spreading Christmas cheer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and Chewy: These cookies are irresistibly gooey and tender.
- Festive Touch: Holiday sprinkles add a cheerful burst of color.
- Quick and Easy: Made with a boxed cake mix for minimal effort.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for cookie exchanges, parties, or gifting.
- Customizable: Easily switch up the sprinkles or use a different cake mix flavor.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box of yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Add the yellow cake mix and stir until a thick dough forms.
- Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles, being careful not to overmix to prevent the sprinkles from bleeding.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
- Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This makes it easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies
- Scoop out 1 1/2-inch balls of dough using a cookie scoop or spoon.
- Roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated.
Step 5: Bake
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy your festive Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies!
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 32 cookies
Variations
- Flavor Swap: Use white cake mix, red velvet, or chocolate for a different flavor.
- Sprinkle Options: Customize the sprinkles for other holidays or themes.
- Frosted Finish: Drizzle with white chocolate or icing for added sweetness.
Storage and Freezing
- Storage: Store in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 103 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 4 g
FAQs
1. Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the best texture and flavor, but low-fat can be used if needed.
2. Do I have to chill the dough?
Yes, chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much and makes the dough easier to handle.
3. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Simply double the ingredients and bake in batches.
4. What if I don’t have sprinkles?
The cookies are delicious without sprinkles, but festive colors make them more fun for the holidays.
5. Can I use a gluten-free cake mix?
Yes, a gluten-free cake mix works perfectly for this recipe.
6. How do I prevent the powdered sugar from melting?
Ensure the cookies are well coated in powdered sugar before baking.
7. Can I add food coloring?
Yes, you can tint the dough with gel food coloring for a more festive look.
8. What’s the best way to ensure the cookies stay soft?
Avoid overbaking; the centers should look slightly soft when you take them out of the oven.
9. Can I make smaller cookies?
Yes, reduce the dough ball size and adjust the baking time accordingly.
10. What can I serve these cookies with?
Pair them with hot cocoa, coffee, or eggnog for the ultimate holiday treat.
Conclusion
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat that’s easy to make, fun to customize, and utterly delicious. Perfect for sharing or enjoying with your loved ones, these cookies are sure to become a festive favorite. Bake them today and watch them disappear!
PrintChristmas Gooey Butter Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 32 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are soft, chewy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Made with cream cheese, yellow cake mix, and festive sprinkles, they’re the perfect holiday treat.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare for Baking
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Gradually add the yellow cake mix and stir until a thick dough forms.
- Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles, being careful not to overmix to prevent color bleeding.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
Step 4: Form the Cookies
- Scoop out 1 1/2-inch balls of dough.
- Roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated.
Step 5: Bake
- Place dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers are slightly soft.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Enjoy your festive gooey butter cookies!
Notes
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freezing Instructions: Freeze cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Customizations: Swap sprinkles for chocolate chips or crushed candy canes for a fun twist!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 103 kcal
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *