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These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies have become my signature holiday treat ever since I first made them for our neighborhood cookie exchange. The way they puff up in the oven creating that perfect crackly top while staying soft and gooey inside is pure magic. My kitchen fills with the most amazing buttery vanilla aroma while they're baking.
Better Than Bakery
What makes these cookies so special is how simple yet impressive they are. That combination of cream cheese and cake mix creates the most incredible texture. Plus the holiday sprinkles make them look so festive everyone thinks I spent hours making them.
What You'll Need
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz full-fat, softened, for a soft and gooey texture.
- Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (1 stick), softened, for richness.
- Egg: 1 large, for structure and binding.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon, for enhanced flavor.
- Yellow Cake Mix: 1 box (about 15.25 oz), as a quick and easy base.
- Powdered Sugar: ½ cup, for rolling and a sweet, crackly coating.
- Christmas Sprinkles: ½ cup, for festive color and cheer.
Let's Make Some Cookies
- Get Ready
- Start with preheating your oven and lining those cookie sheets.
- Mix It Up
- Beat your cream cheese butter egg and vanilla until it's super smooth and creamy.
- Add Your Mix
- Stir in that cake mix until you get a nice thick dough.
- Make Them Festive
- Gently fold in those pretty sprinkles they make everything so cheerful.
- Chill Time
- Let the dough rest in the fridge it makes rolling so much easier.
- Roll and Sugar
- Roll into balls coat them in powdered sugar and watch the magic happen in the oven.
- Bake with Love
- Keep an eye on them you want those centers still soft when they come out.
Mix It Up
Sometimes I use vanilla cake mix or add a touch of almond extract for something different. During the holidays I love rolling them in red and green sanding sugar. My kids go crazy when I add mini chocolate chips or crushed candy canes.
My Best Tips
Make sure you use the brick style cream cheese and let everything come to room temperature first. Don't skip chilling the dough it makes such a difference. And remember they might look slightly underdone when you take them out but they'll set up perfectly as they cool.
Keep Them Fresh
These cookies stay wonderfully soft in an airtight container. If you're planning ahead they freeze beautifully just thaw them on the counter when you're ready to serve.
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Holiday Joy
These gooey butter cookies bring such happiness to our holiday celebrations. Whether they're part of a cookie exchange or just enjoyed at home with hot cocoa they never fail to make the season a little sweeter.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why chill the dough?
Chilling makes the dough easier to handle and prevents cookies from spreading too much during baking. At least 30 minutes is needed.
- → Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- → Why are my sprinkles bleeding color?
To prevent color bleeding, fold sprinkles in gently and don't overmix. Using nonpareils instead of jimmies can also help.
- → How do I know when they're done?
Edges should be set but centers still slightly soft after 10-12 minutes. They'll continue setting as they cool.
- → How should I store these cookies?
Store in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their soft texture.