Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a holiday favourite. These cookies are quick and easy to make, perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or adding a splash of joy to your dessert tray.

Why Make This Recipe

A Delectable, Festive Treat

These cookies are irresistibly soft and buttery, with just the right amount of sweetness.

Quick and Easy

Made with a few simple ingredients, including cake mix, these cookies come together effortlessly, making them ideal for busy holiday schedules.

How to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Ingredients

8 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 (15.25 oz) box yellow cake mix
½ cup holiday sprinkles
½ cup powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Add the Cake Mix
- Gradually stir in the cake mix until a thick dough forms.
Fold in Sprinkles
- Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles, careful not to overmix to prevent the colours from bleeding into the dough.
Chill the Dough
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
Shape and Coat
- Scoop out 1½-inch balls of dough using a cookie scoop or spoon.
- Roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated.
Bake
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are set but the centres remain slightly soft.
Cool
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

How to Serve Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Arrange the cookies on a festive platter and serve them as a holiday dessert spread. Pair them with:

Hot Cocoa: The perfect complement to these soft, buttery cookies.
Coffee or Tea: For a cosy afternoon snack.
Milk: A classic pairing for kids and adults alike.

How to Store and Freeze

Storage: Store the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Place the cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Tips to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Festive Colors: Use red and green sprinkles for a Christmas theme, or switch to other colours for different holidays.
Prevent Sticking: Line your baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats for easy cleanup.
Chill the Dough: Chilling helps make the dough easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

Variations

Chocolate Gooey Cookies: Use chocolate cake mix and sprinkles for a rich variation.
Peppermint Twist: Add crushed candy canes for a minty holiday version to the dough.
Lemon Gooey Cookies: Swap the yellow cake mix with lemon cake mix and add a touch of lemon zest for a citrusy treat.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of cake mix?

Yes! White, chocolate or red velvet cake mix works beautifully for different flavours and themes.

2. Do I need to chill the dough?

Yes, chilling the dough helps make it easier to handle and ensures the cookies hold their shape during baking.

3. Can I freeze the dough instead of baked cookies?

Absolutely! Scoop the dough into balls, coat them with powdered sugar, and freeze them on a tray. Store the frozen dough balls in a freezer bag, then bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time.

Conclusion

These cookies will surely become a seasonal favourite with their easy preparation and crowd-pleasing flavour.