There’s just something about Christmas baking that makes the season sparkle a little brighter the twinkling lights, the scent of vanilla and butter in the air, and trays of cookies cooling on the counter. These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are the kind of treat that disappears faster than you can stack them on the plate.
They’re soft, sweet, buttery, and dusted with powdered sugar like little snowballs of joy. Every bite melts in your mouth with that irresistible gooey center and golden edges that are just the right amount of chewy. If you love classic gooey butter cake, this cookie version will win your heart instantly.
And the best part? They’re unbelievably easy to make! With just a few pantry staples and a box of yellow cake mix, you can whip up a batch in under 30 minutes. Perfect for cookie swaps, Christmas dessert trays, or gifting to neighbors these cookies taste like holiday cheer baked into every bite.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are a thousand cookie recipes out there, but here’s why these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies deserve a special place on your holiday table:
- Festive and Fun: Covered in powdered sugar, they look like mini snowballs perfect for Christmas parties.
- Buttery Goodness: Every bite has that rich, creamy texture of old-fashioned gooey butter cake.
- Quick and Easy: Only a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time.
- Perfect for Gifting: Stack them in a holiday tin with parchment paper they stay soft for days!
- Beginner-Friendly: Even if you’re not a baker, this recipe turns out perfect every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Cookie Dough:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1Â 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
- 1Â egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1Â white cake mix
- ½ cup sprinkles divided
- ½ cup confectioner’s sugar
For Rolling:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
That’s it Five main ingredients plus sugar for rolling. It’s baking magic in the simplest form.
How to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Step 1: Cream the butter and cream cheese
In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. This step creates the rich, velvety texture that makes these cookies so irresistible.
Step 2: Add the egg and vanilla
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Step 3: Add the cake mix
Slowly add the dry cake mix to the wet ingredients, mixing on low until a thick, sticky dough forms. The dough should be soft but not runny, like thick frosting that holds its shape.
Step 4: Chill the dough
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This helps the dough firm up and keeps the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
Step 5: Roll and coat
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Coat each one generously in powdered sugar until completely covered.
Step 6: Bake
Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the tops crack slightly and the edges look set. (The centers should still look soft — that’s the gooey magic!)
Step 7: Cool and enjoy
Let cookies cool on the sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a rack. Dust with extra powdered sugar if desired.
How to Serve Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
These cookies are gorgeous on their own, but here are some fun serving ideas:
- Holiday Party Tray: Arrange them with other Christmas cookies like Snickerdoodles, Peppermint Bark Cookies, and Red Velvet Crinkles.
- Gift Boxes: Stack them in a festive tin with tissue paper or parchment sheets between layers.
- With Hot Cocoa: Serve warm cookies with a mug of cocoa or spiced latte for a cozy Christmas treat.
How to Store and Freeze
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerate: For up to 7 days to maintain the gooey texture.
- Freeze: Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a bag or container. Thaw at room temperature and dust again with powdered sugar before serving.
Tips for Perfect Gooey Butter Cookies
- Use room-temperature butter and cream cheese this ensures a smooth, creamy dough.
- Don’t overbake they should look slightly underdone in the center; they’ll firm up as they cool.
- Chill the dough it makes the cookies hold their round, puffy shape.
- Generously coat with powdered sugar this gives them that classic snowy Christmas look.
- Add color! Mix crushed candy canes or red and green sprinkles into the dough for a festive twist.
Variations
Funfetti Edition: Swap yellow cake mix for funfetti cake mix for a colorful Christmas party cookie.
Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cookies: Use red velvet cake mix instead of yellow for a colorful holiday touch.
Chocolate Chip Version: Stir in mini white or milk chocolate chips for extra decadence.
Peppermint Twist: Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top.
More Christmas Mix Treats
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Chill the dough up to 48 hours in advance. Roll and bake when you’re ready.
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Absolutely. Try lemon, red velvet, or white cake mix for unique variations.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
If your dough was too warm or you skipped chilling, the cookies can flatten. Chill longer next time for perfect results.
Do I have to use cream cheese?
Cream cheese gives these cookies their signature gooey texture, but you can use mascarpone for a milder flavor.
How do I keep my powdered sugar from melting?
Let cookies cool completely before dusting with a second layer of sugar right before serving.
Final Thoughts
These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a must-bake for the holidays soft, rich, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. They’re the kind of cookie that makes people smile before they even take a bite.
Whether you’re baking for a holiday cookie exchange, a family gathering, or just because you love the sweet smell of Christmas in your kitchen, these cookies are guaranteed to become a new tradition.
So grab your mixing bowl, dust your hands in sugar, and bake up some Christmas magic. ✨🎄
PrintChristmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 white cake mix
½ cup sprinkles divided
½ cup confectioner’s sugar
Instructions
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Cream together the butter and the cream cheese. Add the egg and the vanilla and beat just until combined. Beat in the cake mix until well blended. Stir in ¼ cup of the sprinkles. Refrigerate at least one hour or overnight.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper. scoop out rounded tablespoons of dough and roll into a 1-inch ball. Sprinkle the ball with sprinkles then roll in the confectioner’s sugar until completely covered. Place about 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake 8 to10 minutes then allow to sit on the sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.