Desserts

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Name: Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box of cake mix (yellow or butter); 1/2 cup of cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup of butter, softened; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract; 1/4 cup of powdered sugar for rolling; 1/4 cup of granulated sugar

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This chewy, buttery cookie tastes like a holiday hug. The outside gets a light sugar crust while the inside stays soft and gooey. They smell sweet and buttery with a hint of vanilla. These cookies are easy to roll, bake fast, and look festive with powdered sugar. They make a great addition to cookie plates, school parties, or a cozy night with hot cocoa.

Recipe Information

Prep Time: 45 minutes (includes 30 minutes chilling)
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes per batch
Total Time: 57–60 minutes
Servings: about 36 cookies
Difficulty Level: Easy

Nutrition Information

Approximate per cookie (assuming about 36 cookies total)

Calories per serving: 91 kcal
Protein: 1.3 g
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Fat: 5 g
Fiber: 0.3 g
Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 110 mg

(Nutrition values are estimates based on the ingredients used.)

Why Make This Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

These cookies are quick and forgiving. The boxed cake mix keeps things simple. Cream cheese and butter give a soft, gooey center that melts in your mouth. They finish with a pretty powdered sugar coating that makes them look festive without extra work. They bake fast, feed a crowd, and pair beautifully with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

How to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

You will mix the cake mix, cream cheese, butter, eggs, and vanilla into a soft dough, chill briefly, roll into balls, coat them in sugar, and bake until the edges are just set. The result is a slightly crisp outside and a soft, gooey center. Follow the simple steps below for best results.

Ingredients:

1 box of cake mix (yellow or butter)
1/2 cup of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup of butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/4 cup of powdered sugar for rolling
1/4 cup of granulated sugar

Directions:

Step 1: Preparation

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Have a bowl ready for rolling the dough in granulated sugar and another for powdered sugar.

Step 2: Mixing

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, cream cheese, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined and smooth. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for an even dough. Scrape down the sides to make sure everything is blended.

Step 3: Cooking

Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This makes the dough easier to handle and prevents too much spread while baking. After chilling, scoop out tablespoons of dough and roll them into balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar, then in powdered sugar. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between them. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers look set but still soft.

Step 4: Finishing

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. If you like more powdered sugar on top, dust lightly once they are cool.

How to Serve Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Serve warm or at room temperature. They pair well with hot cocoa, coffee, or spiced tea. Arrange them on a festive platter for holiday parties, include them in cookie boxes, or stack them wrapped with a ribbon for holiday gifts. Warm gently for 5–7 seconds in the microwave for an extra gooey bite.

How to Store Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

At room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Place parchment between layers to prevent sticking.
Refrigerate: Keep in an airtight container for up to 7 days. Bring to room temp before serving for best texture.
Freeze: Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a tray for 1 hour, then transfer to a freezer bag. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls on a tray, then store in a bag for up to 2 months—bake from frozen adding 1–2 minutes to baking time.

Expert Tips for Perfect Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Use room-temperature cream cheese and butter. They blend smoothly and give a uniform texture.
Chill the dough. A chilled dough spreads less and holds a pretty rounded shape.
Don’t overbake. The centers should look set but soft. They will firm up as they cool.
Use a cookie scoop for even sizes. This helps with even baking and a tidy plate.
Roll twice if you want a thicker powdered-sugar coating: granulated first for texture, then powdered sugar for the classic look.
If dough is too sticky to roll, chill an extra 10–15 minutes.
For best flavor, use a good-quality vanilla extract.

Delicious Variations

Peppermint: Add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and roll in crushed candy canes mixed with powdered sugar.
Cinnamon sugar: Mix 1/2 tsp cinnamon into the granulated sugar for rolling.
Chocolate chip: Fold 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips into the dough before chilling.
Almond: Substitute 1/2 teaspoon almond extract for part of the vanilla.
Sprinkles: After rolling in powdered sugar, gently press festive sprinkles into the tops before baking for colorful cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My dough is sticky and hard to roll. What can I do?
A: Chill it longer (15–30 minutes). Use a small cookie scoop or spoon flour your hands lightly. The sugar coating also helps manage stickiness.

Q: My cookies spread too flat. Why?
A: The dough may be too warm. Chill the dough before baking. Also check your oven temperature with an oven thermometer—too low can cause extra spreading. Using a bit more flour is not needed here; instead, ensure the butter and cream cheese were not melted.

Q: Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
A: Yes. Yellow or butter cake mix gives the best buttery flavor, but spice or white cake mixes can give fun variations. Chocolate cake mix will make a different texture and denser cookie but works if you like a richer flavor.

Q: Can I make these ahead for a party?
A: Yes. Bake up to 3 days ahead and store in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months and thaw before serving.

Q: Can I make these dairy-free or egg-free?
A: For dairy-free: use dairy-free cream cheese and vegan butter. For egg-free: try an egg replacer equivalent or 1/4 cup applesauce per egg (results may be softer). Expect slight changes in texture.

Q: How do I keep them soft longer?
A: Store with a slice of bread or a damp paper towel (sealed in the container) to keep moisture. Refrigerate for longer life but let come to room temp before serving.

Conclusion

These Christmas gooey butter cookies are an easy, festive treat that delivers buttery flavor and a soft, gooey center every time. They bake fast, look lovely on a cookie tray, and are simple to personalize. If you want a visual guide or an alternate version to compare, check out this Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe – Gooey Butter Holiday. Give them a try—you’ll likely make them a holiday tradition.