Festive Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe for Holiday Magic

Sweet holiday baking finds its perfect match in this Christmas gooey butter cookies recipe that melts hearts and creates instant cheer.

Soft, pillowy, and dusted with powdered sugar, these cookies promise pure festive magic.

butter blends seamlessly with cream cheese, creating a delectable texture that crumbles delicately.

Each bite delivers a rich, moist experience that captures the spirit of Christmas celebrations.

Families adore these simple yet irresistible treats that come together in minutes.

Bakers of all skill levels can whip up these cookies and spread delicious joy.

Serve these delightful morsels and watch smiles light up the room.

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Delicious Reasons

• These festive cookies transform ordinary ingredients into a delightful Christmas treat that sparks joy and brings families together around the kitchen counter.
• Minimal steps and simple mixing make this recipe approachable for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned cookie enthusiasts.
• Colorful sprinkles and powdered sugar coating give these cookies a gorgeous, professional-looking finish that looks like you spent hours decorating.
• Soft, gooey texture and sweet flavor make these cookies ideal for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, and spreading seasonal cheer with loved ones.

What You Need for Gooey Butter Cookies

• Cream Cheese: Provides a rich and creamy texture to the cookies.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a soft cookie.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds structure.

• Cake Mix: Serves as the primary dry ingredient and provides sweetness and flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Used for coating the cookies and adding a sweet finish.

• Vanilla Extract: Brings a warm, classic flavor to the cookies.
• Sprinkles: Adds festive color and a fun, holiday-themed appearance.

Gear for Gooey Butter Cookie Baking

• Electric mixer: Essential for blending cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining ingredients and creating the cookie dough.
• Baking sheets: Needed for baking cookies evenly and preventing sticking.
• Parchment paper: Helps line baking sheets and prevents cookies from burning.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Great for folding sprinkles and scraping bowl sides.
• Cookie scoop or spoon: Helps create uniform cookie balls.
• Cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool without becoming soggy.

Simple Steps for Christmas Butter Cookies

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Warm your oven to a cozy 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lovingly line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Base

Grab your electric mixer and blend the cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture transforms into a silky smooth sensation.

Step 3: Incorporate the Cake Mix Magic

Pour in the cake mix and mix until a delightful dough comes together, creating a soft and irresistible texture.

Step 4: Sprinkle in Some Festive Cheer

Tenderly fold the colorful sprinkles into the dough, distributing them evenly for a burst of holiday joy in every bite.

Step 5: Chill and Relax

Pop the dough into the refrigerator and let it rest and cool for half an hour, allowing the flavors to mingle and the texture to firm up.

Step 6: Shape and Coat

Roll the chilled dough into bite-sized balls, then generously roll each one in powdered sugar for a snowy, sweet exterior.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place the sugar-coated balls on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges look set and slightly golden.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack, then savor the melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

Baking Tips for Extra Gooey Cookies

• Chilling the dough for 30 minutes helps prevent spreading and ensures a perfectly soft, gooey texture during baking.
• Roll cookies generously in powdered sugar before baking for a beautiful snow-like appearance and extra sweetness.
• Fold sprinkles gently to prevent color bleeding and maintain their vibrant look throughout the cookies.
• Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cookie consistency.
• Watch cookies carefully and remove from oven when edges are just set to maintain that signature gooey center.

Tasty Twists for Christmas Butter Cookies

• Gluten-Free Holiday Delight: Replace cake mix with gluten-free cake mix and use certified gluten-free sprinkles for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Winter Treat: Swap cream cheese and butter with dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream cheese and vegan butter, use egg replacement like flax egg.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Cookie: Use sugar-free cake mix, replace powdered sugar coating with erythritol or monk fruit sweetener for diabetic-friendly option.
• Chocolate Peppermint Festive Cookie: Add crushed candy canes instead of sprinkles and mix cocoa powder into cake mix for a rich chocolate Christmas flavor.

How to Serve Butter Cookies at Holiday Events

• Holiday Party Platter: Arrange cookies on a festive red and green ceramic plate, surrounded by candy canes and small sprigs of holly for a magical Christmas presentation.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with metallic ribbons, perfect for homemade holiday gifting to neighbors, teachers, or coworkers.
• Dessert Pairing Delight: Serve warm cookies alongside hot cocoa or peppermint mocha for a cozy winter treat that celebrates seasonal flavors and brings comfort.
• Festive Dessert Bar: Create a holiday cookie station with these gooey butter cookies as a centerpiece, offering various sprinkle colors and powdered sugar dusting options for guests to enjoy.

Storage Tips for Gooey Butter Cookies

• Store cookies in airtight container for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, place in freezer bag, and store for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Warm single cookie for 10-15 seconds on low power to restore soft, gooey texture. Avoid overheating to prevent dryness.
• Let frozen or refrigerated cookies sit out for 15-20 minutes to regain original softness and flavor.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies?

The main ingredients are cream cheese, butter, egg, vanilla extract, cake mix, and festive sprinkles. These components create a soft, rich cookie with a delightful holiday twist.

• How do sprinkles enhance these cookies?

Sprinkles add a fun, colorful touch to the cookies, giving them a festive Christmas look. They bring brightness and a playful element that makes the cookies more celebratory and appealing.

• Why do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading during baking, ensures a better cookie texture, and allows the flavors to meld together. It also makes the dough easier to handle and roll into balls.

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 57 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Indulgent Christmas gooey butter cookies bring festive cheer with their rich, melt-in-mouth texture. Sprinkled with powdered sugar, these delightful treats promise pure holiday happiness for family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 15.25 ounces (432 grams) yellow cake mix
• 8 ounces (226 grams) full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg

Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Decorative and Finishing Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (60 grams) holiday sprinkles
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
2. Combine cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla in a mixing bowl, whipping until the mixture reaches a silky, uniform consistency.
3. Gradually incorporate the cake mix into the creamy base, stirring until a cohesive dough emerges.
4. Delicately introduce sprinkles into the dough, ensuring even distribution without overmixing.
5. Refrigerate the prepared dough for half an hour to enhance flavor development and improve texture.
6. Shape the chilled dough into uniform spheres, generously rolling each ball in a powdery coating of confectioners’ sugar.
7. Position cookies on prepared sheets, allowing sufficient spacing between each, and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges become slightly firm and golden.
8. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Notes

• Cream cheese temperature matters for smooth mixing, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before starting.
• Prevent sprinkles from bleeding by using gel food coloring or Christmas-themed nonpareils for vibrant color.
• Gluten-free option works perfectly by substituting regular cake mix with gluten-free white cake mix.
• Store cookies in airtight container with parchment paper between layers to maintain soft, gooey texture for up to 5 days.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg