Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how these cookies combine the rich flavors of cream cheese and butter with the convenience of a cake mix. The addition of colorful sprinkles adds a festive touch, and rolling them in powdered sugar creates a beautiful, crackly finish. They’re easy to make and always a hit during the holiday season.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix

• ½ cup holiday sprinkles

• ½ cup powdered sugar

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until smooth.

3. Stir in the cake mix until a thick, sticky dough forms.

4. Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles, being careful not to overmix to prevent the colors from bleeding.

5. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.

6. Scoop the dough into 1½-inch balls and roll them in powdered sugar until fully coated.

7. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.

8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft.

9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields approximately 32 cookies. The preparation time is about 10 minutes, with a baking time of 10-12 minutes, and an additional 30 minutes for chilling the dough, totaling around 50-55 minutes.

Variations

• Different Cake Mixes: I sometimes swap the yellow cake mix for vanilla or white cake mix for a different flavor profile.

• Flavor Extracts: Adding almond or peppermint extract instead of vanilla gives a unique holiday twist.

• Mix-ins: Folding in mini chocolate chips or crushed candy canes along with the sprinkles adds extra flavor and texture.

• Colored Dough: I add a few drops of red or green gel food coloring to the dough for a festive look, or split the dough in half and color each portion to make both colors.

• Sanding Sugar: Rolling the cookie dough in colored sanding sugar instead of powdered sugar creates a fun, festive appearance.

Storage/Reheating

I store the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. I thaw them at room temperature before serving.

FAQs

Can I use low-fat cream cheese?

I recommend using full-fat brick-style cream cheese for the best texture and flavor. Low-fat or spreadable cream cheese can make the dough too soft.

Do I need to chill the dough?

Yes, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes makes it easier to handle and helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely. I often prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it until I’m ready to bake. The baked cookies also freeze well for up to 3 months.

What if I don’t have holiday sprinkles?

You can skip the sprinkles or use other festive decorations like colored sanding sugar or edible glitter to add a holiday touch.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

The cookies are done when the edges are set, but the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.

Conclusion

These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive and delicious addition to any holiday celebration. I enjoy making them for cookie exchanges, family gatherings, or simply as a sweet treat to enjoy with a cup of hot cocoa. Their soft, chewy texture and delightful flavor make them a holiday favorite in my home.