If you’re searching for the perfect holiday cookie that’s soft, sweet, and irresistibly gooey, these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are about to become your new tradition. Made with cream cheese, butter, and a simple vanilla cake mix, these cookies are incredibly easy to prepare—but taste like they came straight from a bakery. Their tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive sprinkles make them a standout addition to any cookie tray, holiday party, or cozy night in with hot cocoa. Whether you’re baking with kids, prepping for a cookie exchange, or simply craving something warm and comforting, this recipe guarantees festive magic in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly soft, gooey, melt-in-your-mouth centers
- Made with simple ingredients and a box cake mix
- Quick prep—perfect for last-minute holiday baking
- Easy to customize with different extracts or sprinkles
- A kid-friendly, crowd-pleasing cookie everyone loves
Ingredients
- Vanilla or yellow cake mix (1 box): Forms the base, giving the cookies their sweet, tender structure.
- Cream cheese (8 oz, softened): Adds the signature gooey center.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, softened): Makes the dough rich and soft.
- Egg (1 large): Helps bind the ingredients and adds moisture.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Enhances the warm, sweet flavor.
- Powdered sugar (½ cup): Used for rolling, gives the cookies their classic crinkle look.
- Christmas sprinkles: Adds festive color and cheerful holiday vibes.
How to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
1. Make the Dough
Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together in a bowl until smooth and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. Add the cake mix and stir until a thick, sticky dough forms, then fold in the Christmas sprinkles.
2. Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and chill it for 30–60 minutes. This helps the dough firm up, making it much easier to roll and preventing the cookies from spreading too much.
3. Shape the Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls and roll each one in powdered sugar until coated.
4. Bake
Transfer the dough balls to the baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Bake for 10–12 minutes, just until the cookies are set but still soft in the center. Do not overbake—keeping them slightly underdone gives them their gooey, tender texture.
5. Cool & Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet. They will firm up slightly as they cool while staying soft and gooey inside.
Tips for Success
- Chill the dough to prevent cookies from spreading too much.
- Roll generously in powdered sugar for a beautiful crinkle finish.
- Avoid overbaking; the centers should stay soft and gooey.
- Use room-temperature cream cheese and butter for smoother mixing.
- Add sprinkles after mixing so they don’t streak the dough.
Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop (optional but helpful)
- Cooling rack
Recipe Variations
- Almond Cookie Twist: Swap vanilla extract for almond extract.
- Peppermint Gooey Cookies: Add ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract and crushed candy canes.
- Red & Green Swirl: Tint half the dough red and swirl with the plain dough.
- Funfetti Gooey Cookies: Use a funfetti cake mix for extra color.
- Chocolate Version: Replace the vanilla cake mix with chocolate cake mix.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with hot cocoa, eggnog, or warm milk.
- Add them to a holiday cookie box or platter.
- Wrap in cellophane bags as a festive edible gift.
- Enjoy warm for maximum gooeyness.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Chill the dough up to 24 hours in advance.
How do I store these cookies?
Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Can I freeze them?
Yes—freeze rolled, unbaked dough balls for up to 2 months. Bake straight from the freezer, adding 1–2 minutes.
Why are my cookies too flat?
The dough may not have been chilled long enough.
Can I use a different cake mix?
Absolutely—lemon, strawberry, or funfetti all work well.
Do I have to roll them in powdered sugar?
It’s traditional, but optional. The cookies will still be soft and gooey without it.
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies (5 Irresistible Festive & Epic Treats!)
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 20–24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies: Soft, sweet, and irresistibly melt-in-your-mouth, these festive cookies blend cream cheese with a vanilla cake mix for a tender, gooey center and a sprinkle of holiday cheer.
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla or yellow cake mix
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
- Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla; mix well.
- Add the cake mix and stir until a thick dough forms.
- Fold in Christmas sprinkles.
- Chill the dough for 30–60 minutes to make rolling easier.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop dough into 1-inch balls, roll in powdered sugar, and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until set but still soft.
- Cool completely—cookies will stay deliciously gooey inside.
Notes
- Chilling the dough makes rolling easier and helps cookies hold their shape.
- Do not overbake; cookies stay soft and gooey when slightly undercooked.
- Variations: swap vanilla with almond extract or use red and green sprinkles for Christmas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Conclusion
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are the perfect blend of easy, festive, and irresistibly delicious. With their tender texture and cheerful holiday colors, they’re sure to become a yearly favorite. Whether you’re gifting, sharing, or enjoying them fresh from the oven, these cookies bring warmth and joy to the season. Bake a batch, spread the cheer, and make your holiday moments a little sweeter!