Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive spin on classic butter cookies, offering a soft, chewy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Made with cream cheese, butter, and cake mix, they require minimal effort but deliver maximum flavor. Holiday sprinkles add a cheerful touch, making these cookies perfect for Christmas gatherings, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Easy: Uses a boxed cake mix for convenience.
• Soft & Gooey: The combination of cream cheese and butter ensures a rich, tender texture.
• Festive & Customizable: Holiday sprinkles make them visually appealing, but you can switch them up for other occasions.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: These cookies store well and can even be frozen for later.

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Ingredients & Essential Tools

Ingredients (Makes 32 Cookies)

• 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened – Adds richness and moisture.
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened – Enhances the soft texture.
• 1 large egg – Helps bind the ingredients.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds depth of flavor.
• 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix – Provides structure and sweetness.
• ½ cup holiday sprinkles – Adds a festive look.
• ½ cup powdered sugar – Coats the cookies for a classic crinkle effect.

Essential Tools

• Mixing bowls – For combining ingredients.
• Electric mixer – Helps achieve a smooth, lump-free dough.
• Cookie scoop – Ensures uniform cookies for even baking.
• Parchment paper – Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
• Wire rack – Allows cookies to cool properly without becoming soggy.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat & Prepare Baking Sheets

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

2. Make the Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the cake mix and mix until a thick dough forms.

3. Add Sprinkles & Chill

1. Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles, being careful not to overmix to avoid color bleeding.
2. Cover the bowl and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes—this makes it easier to handle and prevents excessive spreading during baking.

4. Shape & Coat the Cookies

1. Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out 1½-inch balls of dough.
2. Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar until fully coated.
3. Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

5. Bake & Cool

1. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
2. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Tips for Perfect Cookies

• Chill the Dough: This step prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
• Don’t Overmix the Sprinkles: Gently fold them in to maintain their color and avoid streaking.
• Bake Just Until Set: The cookies should look slightly underbaked in the center for the best gooey texture.
• Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese: This ensures a rich, soft texture that holds up well.

How to Serve Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

These cookies are versatile and work well for many occasions. Their soft, buttery texture and festive appearance make them perfect for:

• Holiday Cookie Exchanges – A standout treat that’s easy to package and share.
• Christmas Parties – Serve on a dessert platter with other seasonal favorites.
• Gifting – Place them in decorative tins or cellophane bags for homemade holiday gifts.
• Dessert Trays – Pair them with classic Christmas cookies like gingerbread or shortbread.
• Coffee or Tea Pairing – Enjoy them with a warm drink for a cozy winter treat.
• Kids’ Treats – A great addition to a holiday-themed lunchbox or after-school snack.

These cookies taste best when served at room temperature, allowing their soft, gooey texture to shine. If stored in the freezer, let them thaw completely before serving.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Skipping the Dough Chilling Step

One of the most common mistakes is skipping the chilling time. The dough is quite soft due to the cream cheese and butter, and without chilling, it becomes too sticky to handle. It also causes excessive spreading during baking, resulting in thin, flat cookies instead of thick, gooey ones.

Solution: Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling. If the dough becomes too soft while working, return it to the refrigerator for a few minutes.

2. Overmixing the Sprinkles

Mixing the sprinkles too vigorously can cause their colors to bleed into the dough, resulting in an unappealing, streaky appearance.

Solution: Gently fold in the sprinkles at the last step, stirring just enough to distribute them evenly.

3. Overbaking the Cookies

These cookies should have a soft, slightly gooey center. Overbaking dries them out, making them more like standard sugar cookies instead of the soft, melt-in-your-mouth treat they should be.

Solution: Bake just until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underdone. The residual heat will continue to cook them after being removed from the oven.

4. Using Low-Fat Cream Cheese

Reduced-fat or fat-free cream cheese can alter the texture of the cookies, making them less rich and less soft.

Solution: Use full-fat cream cheese for the best results. It provides the necessary fat content to achieve the signature gooey texture.

5. Rolling in Too Much Powdered Sugar

While the powdered sugar coating gives these cookies their signature crackled look, using too much can cause them to develop a thick, pasty exterior instead of a light, delicate dusting.

Solution: Roll each dough ball lightly in powdered sugar, ensuring an even but not excessive coating.

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Perfect Side Dishes for a Holiday Spread

These cookies pair well with a variety of seasonal treats and drinks. Whether serving them at a holiday gathering or enjoying them as part of a cozy night in, here are eight perfect pairings to complement their rich, buttery flavor:

1. Hot Chocolate

The rich, creamy taste of hot chocolate enhances the buttery sweetness of the cookies. For an extra festive touch, serve with whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

2. Eggnog

A classic holiday drink with warm spices, eggnog pairs perfectly with the soft, sweet texture of these cookies.

3. Peppermint Mocha

A coffee-based drink with chocolate and peppermint flavors balances the cookies’ sweetness while adding a refreshing contrast.

4. Vanilla Ice Cream

Serve the cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple yet indulgent dessert. The contrast between the warm cookies and cold ice cream is especially delicious.

5. Fruit Platter

A platter of fresh fruit, such as sliced apples, grapes, or berries, adds a refreshing element that balances the richness of the cookies.

6. Gingerbread Cookies

Pairing these gooey cookies with spiced gingerbread cookies creates a festive and flavorful contrast on a holiday dessert tray.

7. Mulled Wine

For an adult-friendly pairing, serve the cookies with warm mulled wine infused with cinnamon, cloves, and citrus. The spices complement the buttery sweetness of the cookies.

8. Whipped Cream-Topped Latte

A frothy latte topped with whipped cream enhances the rich flavors of the cookies while providing a comforting, warm beverage to enjoy alongside them.

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Making These Cookies for Different Occasions

While these cookies are perfect for Christmas, they can easily be adapted for other celebrations by simply changing the sprinkle colors. Try using:

• Red and pink sprinkles for Valentine’s Day
• Pastel sprinkles for Easter
• Orange and black sprinkles for Halloween
• Red, white, and blue sprinkles for Fourth of July

This makes the recipe versatile and suitable for year-round baking.

Storage & Freezing Instructions

Proper storage ensures that these cookies stay soft and delicious for as long as possible. Follow these guidelines to keep them fresh:

Storing at Room Temperature

• Place the cookies in an airtight container in a single layer or with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Store them at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources.

Refrigerating the Cookies

• If you prefer to keep them longer, store the cookies in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week.
• Allow refrigerated cookies to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Freezing Baked Cookies

• Arrange the fully cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about one hour to prevent them from sticking together.
• Transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, placing parchment paper between layers.
• Label the container with the date and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

Freezing Cookie Dough

• Scoop and roll the cookie dough into balls, then freeze them on a baking sheet for one hour until firm.
• Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months.
• To bake from frozen, place the dough balls on a baking sheet, roll in powdered sugar, and bake as directed, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time.

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Reheating Instructions

If the cookies have been stored for a while and need a refresh, try these methods:

Room Temperature Reheating

• Simply let the cookies sit out for 10-15 minutes until they soften.

Oven Reheating

• Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
• Place cookies on a baking sheet and warm for 3-5 minutes to restore their softness.

Microwave Reheating

• Microwave a cookie for 5-8 seconds on a microwave-safe plate.
• Be cautious not to overheat, as the sugar coating may melt.

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Expert Tips for the Best Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

1. Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese

The fat content in full-fat cream cheese contributes to the rich, gooey texture. Low-fat versions can make the cookies dry.

2. Measure Ingredients Accurately

Use a kitchen scale or proper measuring cups to ensure accuracy, especially for flour and powdered sugar. Over-measuring the cake mix can lead to denser cookies.

3. Chill the Dough for Easy Handling

Since the dough is sticky, chilling for at least 30 minutes makes it easier to roll into balls. If the dough is still too soft, chill for an additional 15 minutes.

4. Roll in Powdered Sugar Generously

A good coating of powdered sugar helps create the signature crinkle effect as the cookies bake. However, avoid over-coating, which can cause a pasty texture.

5. Do Not Overbake

These cookies should come out of the oven while the centers are still slightly soft. Overbaking will result in a dry texture instead of the intended gooey consistency.

6. Customize for Different Occasions

Swap out the holiday sprinkles for different colors based on the season or special occasions. You can also mix in white chocolate chips or crushed peppermint for added flavor.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I Use a Different Cake Mix Flavor?

Yes, vanilla, red velvet, or funfetti cake mix would work well. A chocolate cake mix would create a richer, brownie-like cookie.

2. Why Did My Cookies Turn Out Flat?

Flat cookies are often the result of not chilling the dough long enough. Chilling prevents excess spreading and helps the cookies hold their shape.

3. Can I Make These Gluten-Free?

Yes, use a gluten-free yellow cake mix as a substitute. Ensure that all other ingredients, including sprinkles, are gluten-free.

4. Can I Add Nuts or Chocolate Chips?

Absolutely. Try adding ½ cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or white chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor.

5. How Do I Keep the Sprinkles from Bleeding Into the Dough?

Overmixing can cause sprinkles to release their color into the dough. To prevent this, gently fold them in at the very end and avoid excessive stirring.

6. Can I Prepare the Dough in Advance?

Yes, the dough can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before rolling into balls.

7. Do These Cookies Need to Be Refrigerated After Baking?

No, they can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 3 days. However, if you prefer to keep them longer, refrigeration will extend their freshness.

8. Can I Bake These Without Rolling in Powdered Sugar?

Yes, but the powdered sugar adds texture and the signature crinkle look. Without it, the cookies will have a smoother surface.

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Final Thoughts on Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a perfect holiday treat with their soft texture, festive sprinkles, and easy-to-make recipe. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven, stored for later, or gifted to friends and family, they bring a cheerful touch to any holiday celebration. By following proper storage, baking tips, and creative variations, these cookies can become a go-to holiday favorite for years to come.