Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

If you’re craving a festive, melt-in-your-mouth treat this holiday season, these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are exactly what you need. Combining the richness of cream cheese and butter with the sweet, nostalgic flavor of yellow cake mix, these cookies create a wonderfully soft, gooey center that’s irresistibly delightful. And the burst of holiday sprinkles adds a fun pop of color and cheer, making these cookies perfect for any Christmas celebration. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just because, Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are sure to become a new seasonal favorite you’ll reach for again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies recipe plays a vital role in creating that signature soft, gooey texture and festive flavor. These essentials are simple, easy to find, and come together quickly to make baking a breeze.

• 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese (softened): This adds a creamy richness that’s key to the gooey center.
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened): Butter adds moisture and helps the cookies stay tender.
• 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the soft texture.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness with a warm, comforting aroma.
• 1 (15.25 ounce) box of yellow cake mix: The base for the dough that gives these cookies their sweet, cakey texture.
• 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles: Adds festive color and a bit of crunch without overpowering the flavor.
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar: For rolling the cookie dough balls, creating a delicate, sweet crust.

How to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Space

First things first, you want to preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and slide off easily without sticking or breaking.

Step 2: Mix the Cream Cheese, Butter, Egg, and Vanilla

Grab a large bowl and beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer. Mix until the blend is perfectly smooth and creamy — this step builds the luscious foundation for your cookies.

Step 3: Incorporate the Cake Mix

Pour in the yellow cake mix and stir gently but thoroughly until a thick dough forms. The cake mix provides sweetness and structure, making the cookies tender but sturdy enough to hold their shape.

Step 4: Fold in Holiday Sprinkles

Now, it’s time to add the festive touch. Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles, taking care not to overmix, as that could cause the colors to bleed into your dough. This step keeps the bright, cheerful sprinkles vibrant and visually appealing.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Pop the dough into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling firms up the dough, making it easier to scoop and shape without sticking to your hands or the tools.

Step 6: Shape and Coat the Cookies

Once chilled, scoop out the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated. This sugary blanket adds a subtle crunch and an extra layer of sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the gooey inside.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place the coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart to allow spreading. Bake them for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. This ensures the signature gooey texture you’re after.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This cooling period helps the cookies firm up just enough while maintaining their soft, buttery chew.

How to Serve Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Garnishes

For an extra festive touch, consider dusting the cookies lightly with more powdered sugar or adding a drizzle of white chocolate. Fresh cranberries or a sprinkle of edible glitter can also enhance the holiday vibe and add a luscious contrast in flavor and texture.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm mug of hot cocoa or a creamy eggnog. You could also serve them alongside a festive fruit salad or a platter of assorted holiday cheeses to balance the sweetness with savory and fresh notes.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies on a decorative holiday plate or arrange them in clear jars tied with a red ribbon for a charming gift. For parties, you can place them on a tiered cookie stand or nestled in festive cupcake liners to make them truly eye-catching.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This keeps them soft and gooey without drying out — perfect if you want to savor a few extras throughout the week.

Freezing

If you want to keep these cookies around longer, freezing is a great option. Simply place the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll last for up to three months and thaw quickly when pulled from the freezer.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked feeling, gently warm the cookies in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or pop them in a preheated oven at 300 degrees F for about 5 minutes. This softens the butter and cream cheese again, highlighting the gooey perfection.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies?

Absolutely! While yellow cake mix provides a classic, buttery base, you can experiment with vanilla, butter, or even spice cake mixes to add a new twist to your cookies.

Do the cookies need to be refrigerated before baking?

Chilling the dough isn’t mandatory but highly recommended. It makes the dough easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking, ensuring a thicker, gooier center.

Can I substitute the full-fat cream cheese for a lower-fat option?

Using full-fat cream cheese gives the best texture and flavor, but you can try reduced-fat versions. Just keep in mind that it might slightly affect the moistness and gooeyness of your cookies.

How long will these cookies stay fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies will stay fresh for up to five days. They tend to taste best when enjoyed within the first couple of days.

Are Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies gluten-free?

These cookies as written use regular yellow cake mix, which contains gluten. To make them gluten-free, look for a gluten-free yellow cake mix that can be used as a substitute.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies that makes them a standout treat during the holidays. Their soft, gooey centers, festive sprinkles, and buttery flavor come together in a way that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re sharing these with loved ones or sneaking a few just for yourself, these cookies are bound to bring joy, warmth, and a bit of holiday sparkle to your kitchen. Give the recipe a try—you won’t regret adding this gem to your Christmas cookie lineup!

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