Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive and delicious treat, perfect for the holiday season. Soft, buttery, and studded with colorful sprinkles, they bring a cheerful twist to classic cookies.

Ingredients

• 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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until smooth.
3. Step 3: Stir in the cake mix until a thick dough forms.
4. Step 4: Gently fold in holiday sprinkles, being careful not to overmix so the color of the sprinkles doesn’t bleed into the dough.
5. Step 5: Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
6. Step 6: Scoop out the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and roll them in powdered sugar until fully coated.
7. Step 7: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart, and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft.
8. Step 8: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Tips & Variations

• Use holiday-themed sprinkles for a festive look, or mix in mini chocolate chips for extra indulgence.
• Chilling the dough longer than 30 minutes can help prevent spreading and make handling easier.
• For a non-dairy alternative, try using plant-based cream cheese and butter substitutes.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. Reheat slightly in the microwave if you prefer a warm, gooey texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes, you can experiment with different cake mix flavors like funfetti or spice to create unique variations of these cookies.

Why should I chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough firms it up, making it easier to handle and helping the cookies hold their shape during baking without spreading too much.

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 120 reviews

• Author: Simon
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x

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Description

These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are rich, soft, and full of festive flavor. Made with cream cheese, butter, and yellow cake mix, these cookies have a delightful gooey center and a buttery crust. Sprinkled with holiday sprinkles and rolled in powdered sugar, they’re perfect for holiday celebrations and gifting.

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Ingredients

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Cookie Dough

• 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 yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles

Coating

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Cake Mix: Gradually stir in the yellow cake mix until a thick dough forms. Be sure to mix just until combined for the best texture.
4. Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles, careful not to overmix so the colors don’t bleed into the dough, preserving the festive look of your cookies.
5. Chill Dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step makes the dough easier to handle and helps maintain the cookie shape during baking.
6. Form Dough Balls: Scoop the chilled dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Roll each ball thoroughly in powdered sugar so it is completely coated.
7. Arrange and Bake: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart to allow spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft and gooey.
8. Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set without breaking.

Notes

• Ensure the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
• Do not overbake the cookies; they should have soft centers for the signature gooey texture.
• Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and keeps the cookies thick and soft.
• Use holiday sprinkles that do not bleed color to maintain a bright, festive appearance.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas cookies, Gooey butter cookies, Festive cookies, Holiday baking, Cream cheese cookies, Easy Christmas treat