The holiday season brings with it a delightful flurry of festive lights, joyful carols, and, of course, the irresistible aroma of fresh-baked treats. Among the countless cookie recipes exchanged and cherished, one stands out for its unique texture and incredible flavor: the Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies. These cookies are a true holiday miracle, boasting a soft, cake-like consistency with a rich, gooey center that practically melts in your mouth. Consequently, they have become a staple on cookie platters across the country. This recipe is wonderfully simple, using a cake mix as a clever shortcut, which means you get all of the flavor with a fraction of the work. As a result, you can spend more time enjoying the season and less time in the kitchen. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to create the most perfect batch of these festive cookies for your family and friends.
What Makes Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies So Special?
Originating from St. Louis, Missouri, gooey butter cake is a regional treasure. These cookies essentially capture the essence of that beloved dessert in a convenient, hand-held form. What sets them apart is their incredible texture. Unlike a traditional crispy or chewy cookie, a gooey butter cookie has a soft, tender crumb with an almost under-baked, creamy center. This is achieved through a rich dough made with cream cheese and butter, which creates a decadent base. Furthermore, the use of a cake mix provides a consistent texture and flavor that is difficult to replicate from scratch.
During the holidays, these cookies shine for several reasons. First, their snowy white appearance from a generous coating of powdered sugar looks like a fresh dusting of snow, making them incredibly festive. Additionally, you can easily customize them with holiday colors, sprinkles, or flavor extracts to match your Christmas theme. For this reason, they are perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or as a homemade gift. The simplicity of the recipe also makes it a fantastic activity to do with children, allowing them to help roll the dough and coat it in powdered sugar. In short, these cookies deliver maximum holiday cheer with minimal effort.
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Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies: The 12 Ultimate Steps for Melt-in-Your-Mouth Perfection
Soft, pillowy cookies with a rich, gooey center and a snowy powdered sugar coating — Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive favorite made easy with cake mix.
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
1 (8 oz) block full-fat cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 box yellow or butter golden cake mix (15.25 oz)
1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Optional: red and green sprinkles or sanding sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until light and smooth, about 2–3 minutes.
3. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the bowl and beat until well combined.
4. With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry cake mix and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to handle.
6. Place powdered sugar in a small bowl. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion out 1-inch dough balls.
7. Roll each dough ball between your hands until smooth, then roll thoroughly in the powdered sugar until coated.
8. Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart.
9. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers look slightly under-baked.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 2–3 minutes.
11. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. They will firm up as they cool.
12. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
Make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened for a smooth, lump-free dough.
Do not skip chilling the dough — it helps prevent excessive spreading.
Double-roll in powdered sugar for extra snowy appearance and deeper crinkle effect.
Try swapping cake mix flavors to create variations like red velvet, chocolate, or lemon.
Great for gifting! Package in festive tins or cellophane bags tied with ribbon.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Essential Ingredients for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
One of the best parts about this recipe is its short and simple ingredient list. The secret lies in using a box of yellow cake mix, which serves as the perfect flour base with leavening and flavor already built-in. Before you begin, gather the following ingredients to ensure your baking process is smooth and successful.
For the Cookie Dough
- Cream Cheese: You will need one 8-ounce block of full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature. This is crucial for a smooth, lump-free dough.
- Unsalted Butter: A half-cup of unsalted butter, also softened, adds incredible richness and flavor.
- Large Egg: One large egg acts as the binder, bringing the dough together.
- Vanilla Extract: A teaspoon of pure vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors in the cookie.
- Yellow Cake Mix: A standard-size box (around 15.25 ounces) of yellow or butter golden cake mix is the star of the show.
For the Festive Coating
- Powdered Sugar: You will need about a half-cup of powdered sugar for rolling the dough balls. This creates the signature crinkled, snowy look.
- Optional Sprinkles: For an extra festive touch, you can add red and green sprinkles to your powdered sugar before rolling.
It’s important to ensure your butter and cream cheese are properly softened. As the Mayo Clinic notes, fats play a key role in the texture of baked goods, and starting with softened ingredients ensures they incorporate smoothly for a perfect dough.
Step-by-Step Instructions To Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Now that you have your ingredients ready, it is time to create these delicious Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies. Follow these steps carefully for guaranteed success. First and foremost, preparation is key.
1. Prepare Your Oven and Pans
To begin, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This step is important because it prevents the cookies from sticking and ensures they bake evenly. Consequently, cleanup will be much easier.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, using either a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together on medium speed. Continue mixing until the mixture is light, fluffy, and completely smooth, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Add the Egg and Vanilla
Next, add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and cheese mixture. Beat again on medium speed until everything is well combined.
4. Incorporate the Cake Mix
With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry yellow cake mix to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; you want to stop as soon as the flour is no longer visible. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
5. Chill the Dough
The dough will be very soft and sticky at this point. Therefore, it is essential to chill it. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 60 minutes, or until the dough is firm enough to handle. This step is non-negotiable, as it prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
6. Shape and Coat the Cookies
Once the dough is chilled, place your powdered sugar in a small, shallow bowl. Then, using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, portion the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball between your palms to make it smooth, and then roll it generously in the powdered sugar until it is completely coated.
7. Bake to Perfection
Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each one to allow for spreading. Subsequently, bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies are done when the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centers still look soft and slightly under-baked. They will puff up in the oven and then settle as they cool.
8. Cool and Enjoy
Finally, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They will be very delicate when they first come out of the oven but will firm up as they cool. Once cooled, their perfectly gooey center will be ready to enjoy. For a complete holiday feast, consider serving these after a hearty main course like our Southern Candied Yams Recipe.
Pro Tips for the Best Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
While this recipe is straightforward, a few expert tips can elevate your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies from great to absolutely unforgettable. Adhering to these suggestions will ensure a perfect batch every time.
- Do Not Skip the Chilling Step: As mentioned, chilling the dough is critical. A warm, sticky dough will spread into thin, crispy discs instead of baking into soft, puffy cookies.
- Use a Cookie Scoop: For perfectly uniform cookies that bake evenly, a cookie scoop is your best friend. This ensures every cookie is the same size and requires the same amount of baking time.
- Avoid Overbaking: The key to the “gooey” texture is a slightly under-baked center. Watch them closely and pull them from the oven when the edges are just set. They will continue to cook slightly on the hot pan.
- Double-Roll in Powdered Sugar: For a thicker, more pronounced crinkle effect, roll the dough balls in powdered sugar once, let them sit for a minute, and then roll them a second time before baking.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using softened butter and cream cheese is essential for a smooth dough. Cold ingredients will not combine properly and may result in a lumpy texture.
Fun Variations and Festive Add-ins
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this recipe is its versatility. You can easily adapt it to create different flavors and festive looks. For example, you can try some of these fun variations.
Flavor Swaps
- Red Velvet Gooey Cookies: Substitute the yellow cake mix with a red velvet cake mix. These look stunning on a Christmas platter.
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies: Use a chocolate or devil’s food cake mix for a rich, brownie-like cookie.
- Lemon Gooey Cookies: A lemon cake mix creates a bright, zesty cookie that provides a wonderful contrast to other rich holiday treats.
- Peppermint Twist: Add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the dough and roll the cookies in a mixture of powdered sugar and finely crushed candy canes.
Festive Decorations
Beyond changing the cake mix, you can also add festive decorations. For instance, mix red and green sanding sugar or nonpareils into the powdered sugar for a sparkly coating. Alternatively, you can dye the dough itself with a few drops of green or red food coloring for a vibrant holiday cookie. After a day of festive baking, a simple and comforting dinner is in order. Our French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole is the perfect weeknight meal to complement your holiday preparations.
Storing and Gifting Your Cookies
These cookies are wonderful for making ahead of time, whether for your family or as a thoughtful gift. Proper storage is key to maintaining their soft, gooey texture. Store the completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies. Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, where they will keep for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw them at room temperature.
You can also freeze the unbaked dough. Roll the dough into balls, but do not coat them in powdered sugar. Freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough balls thaw slightly, roll them in powdered sugar, and bake as directed, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time. Proper food handling is always important, and you can find helpful guidelines on food safety from sources like WebMD to ensure your treats are safe to share.
Conclusion About Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
In conclusion, the recipe for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies is a true holiday gem that deserves a special place in your baking rotation. With their incredibly soft texture, rich flavor, and festive appearance, they are guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering. Because the recipe is so simple and forgiving, it is perfect for bakers of all skill levels. By following the steps and tips outlined here, you can effortlessly create a memorable treat that captures the magic of the season. So, go ahead and fill your home with the wonderful aroma of these delightful cookies and share the joy with everyone you love.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! This is one of the best parts of this recipe. You can easily swap the yellow cake mix for other flavors like red velvet, chocolate, lemon, or even spice cake to create a variety of gooey butter cookies.
Why did my cookies spread out and become flat?
The most common reason for cookies spreading too much is that the dough was not chilled for long enough. The dough is very soft, so refrigerating it for at least an hour is a crucial step to help the cookies hold their shape while baking.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
You should bake the cookies until the edges are just set and look dry, while the centers still appear soft and slightly under-done. They will puff up in the oven and then fall slightly as they cool, which creates the classic gooey texture.
Can I make these Christmas gooey butter cookies from scratch without a cake mix?
Yes, it is possible to make gooey butter cookies entirely from scratch, but it requires a different recipe that includes flour, sugar, and leavening agents. This particular recipe is designed specifically for the convenience and unique texture that a cake mix provides.
