Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive treat perfect for the holiday season. Soft, buttery, and packed with colorful sprinkles, they offer a delightful combination of creamy and cakey textures that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces brick-style, 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 the holiday sprinkles, being careful not to overmix so the color of the sprinkles doesn’t bleed into the dough.
5. Step 5: Scoop out the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and roll them in powdered sugar until fully coated.
6. Step 6: 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.
7. Step 7: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla.
• Use your favorite brand of yellow cake mix or try a funfetti cake mix for extra sprinkles inside.
• Be gentle when folding in sprinkles to prevent the colors from bleeding into the dough.
• Rolling the dough balls generously in powdered sugar ensures a sweet, crunchy outer coating.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. To refresh slightly, warm cookies in a low oven for a few minutes.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this recipe?

While you can substitute low-fat cream cheese, the cookies may not be as rich and gooey. For the best texture and flavor, full-fat cream cheese is recommended.

Can I use different sprinkles or omit them entirely?

Yes, you can customize the cookies with any type of sprinkles you like. If you prefer, you can omit sprinkles altogether for a simpler cookie.

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 110 reviews

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are soft, rich, and buttery cookies filled with festive holiday sprinkles. They are made with cream cheese and yellow cake mix, creating a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture perfect for holiday celebrations.

• Author: Tim
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• 8 ounces brick-style, full-fat cream cheese (softened, Philadelphia recommended)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (15.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix (Duncan Hines preferred)
• 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles

Coating

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease 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.
3. Add Cake Mix: Stir in the yellow cake mix gradually until a thick, cohesive dough forms. The dough should be firm enough to hold shape but soft.
4. Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles to distribute them evenly without overmixing, as this can cause the sprinkles’ colors to bleed into the dough.
5. Form Cookie Balls and Coat: Scoop dough into 1 1/2-inch balls using a spoon or cookie scoop. Roll each ball in powdered sugar until it is completely coated for a sweet outer layer.
6. Arrange and Bake: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart to allow space for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. The cookies should have set edges but slightly soft centers.
7. Cool the Cookies: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps retain their gooey texture.

Notes

• Use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and flavor.
• Do not overmix when adding sprinkles to keep colors vibrant.
• Rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar creates a nice sweet crust.
• Cookies will appear slightly soft in the center when done but will firm up as they cool.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• For extra holiday flair, try using red and green sprinkles.

Keywords: Christmas cookies, Gooey Butter Cookies, Holiday cookies, Cream cheese cookies, Festive sprinkles, Easy holiday dessert