Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Magical Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Holiday magic sparkles through these christmas ooey gooey butter cookies that melt faster than snowflakes.

Sweet aromas drift from kitchen counters, promising delectable moments of pure joy.

Soft and decadent, these treats capture festive cheer in every delightful bite.

Powdered sugar cascades like gentle winter whispers across golden surfaces.

Creamy textures promise indulgence that makes spirits bright and taste buds dance.

Perfectly simple yet wonderfully rich, these cookies become instant celebrations of seasonal happiness.

Come savor a recipe that turns ordinary afternoons into extraordinary memories.

Why Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Are So Irresistible

  • Craft Holiday Magic: These cookies transform ordinary ingredients into festive treats that sparkle with Christmas cheer, making them perfect for seasonal gatherings and gift-giving.
  • Simplify Baking Adventures: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps mean anyone can create delicious cookies without advanced baking skills, welcoming both novice and experienced bakers.
  • Delight Family Taste Buds: Soft, sweet, and dusted with powdered sugar, these cookies appeal to all ages, creating moments of shared joy around the holiday table.
  • Customize with Creativity: Sprinkle options and easy decorating techniques let bakers add personal touches, making each batch unique and memorable.

Ingredients for Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture.
  • Cream Cheese: Adds moisture and creates a soft, creamy consistency in the cookies.
  • Egg: Binds the ingredients together and helps with the cookie's structure.
  • Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.
Dry Ingredients:
  • Cake Mix: Serves as the primary dry ingredient and provides the cookie's base flavor and texture.
  • Powdered Sugar: Used for coating the cookies and adding a sweet, delicate finish.
Decorative Ingredient:
  • Sprinkles: Optional topping that adds festive color and visual appeal to the Christmas cookies.

How to Bake Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to 350F or 175C, ensuring it’s perfectly ready for cookie magic.

Step 2: Create Creamy Butter Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend butter and cream cheese until they become smooth and silky, creating a luxurious foundation for your cookies.

Step 3: Introduce Egg And Flavor

Add the egg and vanilla, whisking them into the creamy mixture until fully incorporated and beautifully combined.

Step 4: Blend Cake Mix

Pour in the cake mix and stir thoroughly, transforming the mixture into a delightful cookie dough that’s ready for shaping.

Step 5: Shape And Dust Cookies

Roll the dough into small round balls, then generously coat each one in powdered sugar for a sweet, delicate exterior.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Surface

Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto ungreased cookie sheets, gently pressing down with the bottom of a glass to create a slightly flattened shape.

Step 7: Add Festive Sprinkles

If desired, sprinkle colorful decorations across the cookie tops for extra holiday cheer.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Slide the cookie sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid overbaking.

Step 9: Cool And Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before indulging in their soft, buttery goodness.

Pro Tips for Soft and Chewy Butter Cookies

  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent sticky hands and ensure easier ball formation.
  • Swap yellow cake mix with white or red velvet for festive holiday variations that add exciting color and flavor.
  • Use parchment paper on cookie sheets to prevent sticking and make cleanup super easy.
  • Dust cookies with extra powdered sugar after cooling for a beautiful snow-like winter appearance.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain soft, gooey texture.

Variations for Festive Butter Cookies

  • Holiday Peppermint Swirl: Crush candy canes and mix into dough, sprinkle crushed peppermint on top before baking for festive winter flavor.
  • Chocolate Lover's Edition: Replace vanilla cake mix with chocolate, add chocolate chips to dough, dust with cocoa powder instead of powdered sugar.
  • Nutty Christmas Crunch: Fold chopped pecans or walnuts into dough, roll balls in chopped nuts before baking for extra texture and richness.
  • Cream Cheese Drizzle: After cooling, create simple cream cheese glaze with powdered sugar and cream cheese, drizzle over cookies for elegant finish.

Pairing Suggestions for Butter Cookies

  • Pair Festive Hot Cocoa: Indulge in a rich, creamy hot chocolate topped with marshmallows to complement the sweet butter cookies' soft texture and enhance the holiday spirit.
  • Match Peppermint Mocha: Brew a creamy peppermint mocha coffee that echoes the cookie's sweet profile and adds a refreshing minty contrast to the buttery richness.
  • Serve Spiced Chai Latte: Enjoy a warm, aromatic chai latte with subtle cinnamon and cardamom notes that beautifully balance the cookie's sugary sweetness and create a cozy winter experience.
  • Combine Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop a cold, smooth vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm cookies for a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that elevates the dessert.

Storage Tips for Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

  • Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep container sealed to maintain freshness and prevent moisture.
  • Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Cookies will stay delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
  • Preheat oven to 300F, place cookies on baking sheet, warm for 3-4 minutes until slightly crisp. Watch carefully to prevent overcooking.
  • Heat cookies on microwave-safe plate for 8-10 seconds. Check texture to ensure they remain soft and gooey without becoming tough.

FAQs on Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

  • Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Yes, you can swap the cake mix flavor to create variety. Try chocolate, yellow, or funfetti cake mix for different taste experiences.

  • How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling and baking. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading.

  • Is cream cheese necessary for this recipe?

Cream cheese is crucial for creating the soft, rich texture of these butter cookies. It helps make them extra ooey and gooey.

  • Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking, or freeze the dough balls for up to 2 months.

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Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 25-27 minutes
  • Yield: 36 1x

Description

Festive Christmas ooey gooey butter cookies melt hearts with their rich, buttery goodness. Warm holiday spices and powdered sugar create a delightful treat you’ll savor with each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 (18.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
  • 1 (8 ounces) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

Binding Ingredients:

  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Finishing Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Whip softened butter and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until velvety and uniform in texture.
  2. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly until mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
  3. Gradually fold cake mix into the wet ingredients, stirring until a consistent dough forms without any dry pockets.
  4. Shape dough into compact, uniform spheres approximately 1 inch in diameter.
  5. Generously coat each dough ball by rolling in powdered sugar, ensuring complete coverage.
  6. Arrange cookies on an ungreased baking sheet, leaving sufficient space between each piece.
  7. Gently press down on each cookie using the flat bottom of a glass to create a slight flattened surface.
  8. Optional: Sprinkle festive decorative elements over the cookies for additional visual appeal.
  9. Position baking sheet in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching carefully to prevent over-browning.
  10. Remove from oven and let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize their structure.
  11. Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack, allowing them to reach room temperature and achieve optimal texture.

Notes

  • Softening butter and cream cheese at room temperature ensures smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
  • Use white cake mix for classic flavor, or experiment with different cake mix varieties like yellow or red velvet for unique twists.
  • For gluten-free option, swap regular cake mix with gluten-free cake mix and check ingredient compatibility.
  • Roll cookies generously in powdered sugar for extra sweetness and festive snow-like appearance, creating a delightful Christmas cookie effect.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 36
  • Calories: 164
  • Sugar: 11 g
  • Sodium: 133 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 0.4 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 28 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Creating single-serving recipes tailored for individuals, small households, or meal preppers
  • Culinary arts with a focus on clean plating and natural styling for food photography
  • Working with fermented ingredients and dairy-based cooking techniques
  • Designing seasonal menus that use fresh, locally sourced produce

Education

Cascade Culinary Institute – Bend, OR

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Gained hands-on experience in professional kitchens, learning advanced recipe development, seasonal ingredient sourcing, and simple, beautiful food presentation.

ServSafe Food Handler Certification – Portland, OR

  • Program: Food Safety Certification
    Focus: Certified in core food safety and hygiene principles for both home and professional kitchens, with emphasis on ingredient handling, kitchen cleanliness, and safe preparation methods.

Mike’s kitchen journey began with a single goal: to make everyday meals feel like something worth celebrating.
After earning his Certificate in Culinary Arts from Cascade Culinary Institute, he spent years working with local farmers and small kitchens across Oregon, learning the beauty of seasonal, small-batch cooking.
Mike’s approach is simple, cook with what’s fresh, keep it approachable, and always leave room for a little creativity. When he’s not testing yogurt marinades or designing single-serving meals, you’ll find him hiking trails or hunting down the best berries at local markets.

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