Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

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These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat — soft, melt-in-your-mouth, and bursting with buttery vanilla flavor. Covered in a festive dusting of powdered sugar and topped with red, green, and white sprinkles, they’re as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Made with a cake mix base, they come together quickly and are perfect for last-minute baking or festive cookie exchanges.

Each bite is sweet, chewy, and just a little gooey in the center — exactly what you’d expect from a classic gooey butter dessert. They strike that perfect balance between decadence and comfort, making them irresistible with a hot mug of coffee, cocoa, or even mulled wine. Whether you’re baking for Santa, gifting to neighbors, or just indulging with your family, these cookies will become a seasonal favorite year after year.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

• It uses simple pantry ingredients — including a cake mix for ease.
• No chilling is required, so the dough comes together fast.
• The festive sprinkles make them holiday-ready with minimal effort.
• Soft, sweet, and chewy texture that everyone adores.
• Perfect for cookie swaps, gift boxes, or cozy nights in.

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Preparation Phase & Tools to Use (Essential Tools and Equipment)

To make these cookies with ease, you’ll need the following:

• Mixing Bowls: For combining the wet and dry ingredients. Use a medium bowl for the cake mix and a larger one for the wet ingredients.
• Electric Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: Crucial for creaming together the butter and cream cheese until fluffy — this step gives the cookies their signature texture.
• Cookie Scoop: Ensures uniform cookie sizes, which leads to even baking.
• Baking Sheets & Parchment Paper: Lining the sheet prevents sticking and helps with easy cleanup.
• Cooling Rack: Allows the cookies to cool without becoming soggy on the bottom.

Each of these tools plays a role in streamlining your workflow and ensuring the cookies turn out perfectly soft and gooey.

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Preparation Tips

Let the butter and cream cheese come to room temperature before you start — this makes them easier to mix and ensures a smooth dough. Don’t overmix once the flour is added, as this can lead to tough cookies. Roll the dough in powdered sugar right before baking to give that classic crinkle look. If you want more festive flair, lightly press the sprinkles into the tops of the cookies after rolling but before baking, so they stick and don’t fall off. Lastly, bake just until the edges are set; the centers should still look slightly underdone — they’ll continue to firm up as they cool.

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Ingredients for this Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (or vanilla for a lighter flavor)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
• 1/4 cup red, green, and white sprinkles (holiday mix)

Optional:

• A pinch of salt (to balance sweetness)
• Additional powdered sugar for dusting after baking

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Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This ensures even baking and prevents sticking.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together using an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. This step is key to achieving the gooey, tender cookie texture.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat again until everything is fully incorporated and the mixture is light and creamy.

Step 4: Incorporate the Cake Mix

Gradually add the dry cake mix to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky — that’s exactly how it should be.

Step 5: Scoop and Roll

Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop out the dough. Roll each scoop into a ball, then generously coat each ball in powdered sugar. This gives the cookies their signature crinkle appearance.

Step 6: Decorate with Sprinkles

Press the festive red, green, and white sprinkles gently onto the tops of the cookie balls. This not only adds color but a bit of crunch too.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place the cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft and slightly underbaked.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with more powdered sugar if desired before serving.

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Notes

For best results, use full-fat cream cheese and real butter — not margarine or low-fat substitutes. These cookies are meant to be rich and indulgent, and swapping out ingredients can affect texture and flavor. The dough will be sticky, so chilling it for 10-15 minutes can help with rolling if needed. This recipe also works beautifully with lemon or spice cake mix for a twist, but classic yellow or vanilla brings out the holiday spirit best.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

• Overbaking: These cookies should look slightly underdone in the center when you take them out. They’ll continue baking from residual heat.
• Skipping the powdered sugar coating: This is essential for the crinkle effect. Make sure each dough ball is generously coated before baking.
• Using cold cream cheese or butter: This makes it harder to cream the mixture, affecting the final cookie texture.
• Crowding the baking sheet: Leave space between cookies, as they spread slightly during baking.

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Storage Instructions

Once the cookies are fully cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you’d like to keep them longer, they freeze well — layer them between parchment in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. To maintain their softness, you can add a slice of bread in the container to prevent them from drying out.

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Estimated Nutrition (Per Cookie – Approximate)

• Calories: 150
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 30mg
• Sodium: 120mg
• Carbohydrates: 19g
• Sugar: 12g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 2g

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other cake mix flavors?

Yes! Lemon, red velvet, and even chocolate cake mix work well and give unique spins to the base recipe.

Do I need to chill the dough?

Not necessarily, but if your dough feels too sticky to roll, a 10–15 minute chill in the fridge can help.

Can I freeze the dough?

Absolutely. Roll the dough into balls (without powdered sugar), freeze on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Coat in powdered sugar just before baking.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, simply use a gluten-free cake mix. Make sure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Why are my cookies flat?

It could be due to overly soft butter or overmixing. Make sure the butter is just softened and mix until just combined.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, this recipe scales well. Just be sure to mix in batches if your bowl or mixer isn’t large enough.

Do these cookies travel well for gifting?

Definitely. Once cooled, they hold up well in cookie tins or treat boxes and make wonderful holiday gifts.

How do I keep the powdered sugar from disappearing after baking?

Make sure to coat generously, and try rolling twice for a thicker layer. Some bakers also dust a second round of sugar once cookies have cooled.

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Conclusion

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive, flavorful delight that brings soft, chewy joy to any holiday celebration. Quick to make and always a hit with kids and adults alike, these cookies capture the magic of the season in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a party, gifting to friends, or sneaking a treat by the fireplace, this recipe will earn a permanent spot in your holiday traditions.

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