Festive Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe That Melts Hearts

Sweet memories of holiday magic dance through kitchens when christmas gooey butter cookies emerge from warm ovens.

Soft clouds of powdered sugar drift across golden surfaces, promising irresistible comfort.

Childhood nostalgia whispers through delicate crumbs that melt on your tongue.

Butter-rich dough captures festive cheer in every delectable bite.

Simple ingredients blend into miraculous treats that spark joy and connection.

Generations of bakers have perfected this delightful recipe, passing down pure happiness.

You won’t be able to resist these mouthwatering morsels that capture the heart of holiday celebrations.

Why Everyone Loves Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

• Craft Festive Delights: These Christmas cookies transform a simple cake mix into a magical holiday treat that sparkles with seasonal joy and brings smiles to everyone's faces.
• Minimize Kitchen Stress: Perfect for busy home bakers, this recipe requires minimal prep work and basic ingredients, making it a stress-free way to create delicious homemade cookies.
• Celebrate with Color: Holiday sprinkles add a playful, vibrant touch that instantly elevates these cookies from ordinary to extraordinary, making them a festive centerpiece for gatherings.
• Kid-Friendly Baking: Children can easily help roll dough balls in powdered sugar and sprinkle festive colors, turning cookie-making into a fun family bonding activity.

What You’ll Need For Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

• Cream Cheese: A soft, tangy ingredient that adds richness and moisture to the cookies.
• Butter: Provides a rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender texture.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent to hold the cookie dough together.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor that enhances the overall taste of the cookies.

• Cake Mix: Serves as the primary dry ingredient that gives structure and sweetness to the cookies.
• Powdered Sugar: Used for coating the cookies, creating a delicate and sweet exterior.

• Holiday Sprinkles: Adds a festive touch and colorful appearance to the Christmas cookies.

How To Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Easily

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Heat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies won’t stick and will bake evenly.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Egg
• Vanilla extract

Step 3: Incorporate Cake Mix

Stir in the cake mix until a thick, luxurious dough develops. The mixture should look rich and consistent.

Step 4: Add Festive Flair

Gently fold in holiday sprinkles. Move slowly to prevent color bleeding and maintain the sprinkles’ vibrant appearance.

Step 5: Chill Dough

Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape and makes them easier to handle.

Step 6: Shape Cookies

Scoop the chilled dough into small balls, then roll each one generously in powdered sugar until completely coated.

Step 7: Arrange on Baking Sheet

Place the sugar-coated dough balls on prepared sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for set edges but keep the centers slightly soft for that signature gooey texture.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Savor the festive treat!

Helpful Baking Tips For Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

• Perfect Sprinkle Distribution: Gently fold holiday sprinkles using a light hand to prevent color bleeding and maintain a festive, even appearance.
• Chill for Success: Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes to make shaping easier and prevent cookies from spreading too much during baking.
• Sugar Coating Trick: Roll cookies generously in powdered sugar before baking for a beautiful, crackly exterior and sweet, delicate finish.
• Texture Mastery: Remove cookies from the oven when edges are set but centers remain soft to achieve that signature gooey, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing for stress-free holiday baking.

Ways To Add A Fun Twist To Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

• Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies: Replace cake mix with gluten-free yellow cake mix and use certified gluten-free sprinkles for celiac-friendly version.
• Low-Sugar Festive Treat: Swap regular powdered sugar with monk fruit sweetener and use sugar-free cake mix to reduce overall sugar content.
• Vegan Winter Cookies: Use dairy-free cream cheese, plant-based butter alternative, and egg replacement like flax egg to create a completely vegan cookie option.
• Chocolate Lovers' Edition: Substitute holiday sprinkles with mini chocolate chips and use chocolate cake mix for a rich, decadent Christmas cookie variation.

Tasty Pairings For Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

• Pair Sweet Beverages: Complement the rich, gooey cookies with creamy hot chocolate topped with marshmallows for a delightful winter treat.
• Create Holiday Drink Match: Serve festive eggnog alongside these cookies to enhance the Christmas spirit with its smooth, spiced flavor profile.
• Select Warming Companion: Brew a fresh pot of dark roast coffee with hints of cinnamon to balance the cookie's sweetness and provide a cozy drinking experience.
• Elevate Dessert Experience: Pour a small glass of sweet dessert wine like moscato, which offers light, fruity notes that beautifully contrast the cookie's buttery texture.

How To Store Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Right

• Store cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and preventing sprinkles from bleeding.
• Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before rolling in powdered sugar and baking.
• Place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container with wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Questions And Answers

• Can I use homemade cake mix instead of store-bought?

While homemade cake mix might work, store-bought cake mix provides the most consistent texture and flavor for these cookies. Homemade mixes can have different moisture levels that might affect the final result.

• How do I prevent the sprinkles from bleeding into the dough?

Fold the sprinkles gently and briefly into the dough. Use gel food coloring or sprinkles specifically designed for baking to minimize color bleeding. Chilling the dough before adding sprinkles also helps maintain their distinct colors.

• Why do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading during baking, ensures a better cookie shape, and allows the flavors to meld together. It also makes the dough easier to handle and roll in powdered sugar.

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 50-52 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas gooey butter cookies blend rich cream cheese and powdered sugar into irresistible holiday treats. These melt-in-your-mouth delights promise sweet memories and joyful celebrations with family and friends.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 15.25-ounce (432 grams) yellow cake mix
• 8 ounces (226 grams) full-fat cream cheese
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 large egg

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Decoration and Coating:

• 1/2 cup (60 grams) holiday sprinkles
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie baking.
2. Combine cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl, blending with an electric mixer until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
3. Incorporate the cake mix into the creamy mixture, stirring until a dense, cohesive dough develops.
4. Gently introduce holiday sprinkles, mixing delicately to prevent color dispersal throughout the dough.
5. Refrigerate the dough for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing it to firm up and become more manageable.
6. Shape the chilled dough into compact 1½-inch spheres, thoroughly coating each ball with a generous layer of powdered sugar.
7. Arrange the sugar-dusted dough balls on prepared baking sheets, maintaining approximately 2 inches of separation between each cookie.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, ensuring the cookie edges become firm while preserving a tender, soft center.
9. Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet momentarily before transferring them to a wire cooling rack for complete cooling and optimal texture.

Notes

• Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
• Experiment with different cake mix flavors like red velvet or funfetti for unique holiday variations.
• Refrigerating dough helps prevent spreading and creates a more dense, chewy cookie consistency.
• For gluten-free option, substitute regular cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix to accommodate dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 181 kcal
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg