Soft, chewy, and rolled in powdered sugar, these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive favorite made with simple ingredients and tons of holiday cheer. Whether you’re baking for a cookie swap or just craving something cozy, these colorful cookies are guaranteed to be a hit!
Prep Time: 10 min
Chill Time: 30 min
Cook Time: 10–12 min
Total Time: 50–52 min
Yields: 32 cookies
Ingredients
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (15.25 oz) box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
How to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add the yellow cake mix and mix until a thick, sticky dough forms.
- Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles. Stir just enough to mix them in without the colors bleeding.
- Cover and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. This helps the dough firm up and keeps the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
- Scoop the dough into 1.5-inch balls. Roll each one in powdered sugar until fully coated. Tip: coat your hands with a little powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
- Place dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers still look soft and gooey. They will finish setting as they cool.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Festive Variations
- Try different cake mixes: White or vanilla cake mix also work well.
- Flavor twist: Swap vanilla extract with almond or peppermint extract.
- Add-ins: Mini chocolate chips or crushed candy canes add extra holiday magic.
- Color the dough: Add red or green food coloring to the dough or split the batch for both.
- Skip the sprinkles: Go classic gooey butter style or use sanding sugar instead.
Tips for Success
- Use full-fat brick cream cheese. The spreadable kind doesn’t hold up in this dough.
- Room temperature butter and cream cheese make for the smoothest mix.
- Don’t overbake. The gooey center is what makes these cookies melt in your mouth.
- Space dough balls evenly for best shape and texture.
- Roll thoroughly in powdered sugar for that signature crackly top.
How to Store Them
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freeze in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition Information
Each cookie contains approximately 103 calories, with 2 grams of protein, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fat, 0.2 grams of fiber, and 10 grams of sugar. These values are estimates based on common ingredients and may vary depending on the specific brands and measurements you use.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition info is estimated using online calculators. Your ingredients may vary, so consult a nutritionist for the most accurate details.
