Why You’ll Love These Easy Festive Gooey Butter Cookies

Get ready to fall head over heels for your new favorite holiday treat! These Easy Festive Gooey Butter Cookies aren’t just delicious; they’re a celebration in every bite. Here are four irresistible reasons why you’ll adore this recipe:

Effortlessly Easy: Thanks to a clever cake mix shortcut, these festive cookies come together with minimal fuss, making them perfect for even the busiest holiday schedules. Say goodbye to complicated baking!
Unbelievably Gooey & Rich: Prepare for a magical texture! Each cookie boasts a delightful crackled exterior that gives way to an intensely soft, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth gooey center. Pure bliss!
Picture-Perfect Holiday Cheer: Adorned with vibrant holiday sprinkles, these cookies aren’t just tasty – they’re visually stunning! They’ll add a pop of cheerful color and festive sparkle to any cookie platter.
Speedy Satisfaction: From mixing bowl to cooling rack, you’re looking at just 20 minutes of total time. That means more time for holiday festivities and less time waiting for your homemade delights!

Unwrap the Magic of Easy Festive Gooey Butter Cookies!

Ho-ho-hold onto your mixing bowls, because we’re about to whisk up some serious holiday magic! Forget complicated concoctions and stressful seasonal baking; this year, joy comes in the form of unbelievably soft, wonderfully rich, and perfectly festive cookies. Get ready to dazzle your taste buds and earn endless compliments with our secret weapon: Easy Festive Gooey Butter Cookies. Imagine a cookie that’s crispy-chewy on the edges, yet divinely soft and buttery-gooey in the middle, all dressed up in a vibrant coat of holiday cheer. Sounds like a dream? It’s about to become your delicious reality. Whether you’re baking for Santa, a cookie exchange, or just a cozy night in, these simple, show-stopping treats are guaranteed to spread smiles. Let the sweet, buttery holiday fun begin!

Gather Your Festive Cookie Crew: Ingredients You’ll Need

Prepping for these delightful Easy Festive Gooey Butter Cookies is half the fun! Here’s your simple shopping list to create cookie perfection:

🧀 8 ounces full-fat brick-style cream cheese, softened: The secret to that incredible rich tang and gooey texture!
🧈 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Because everything’s better with butter, especially when it’s soft and ready to cream.
🥚 1 large egg: Our binder, bringing everything together beautifully.
💧 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A splash of warmth and classic cookie flavor.
🍰 1 (15.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix: Your fantastic shortcut to amazing flavor and texture!
🌈 1/2 cup festive holiday sprinkles: The dazzling stars of the show, adding color and joy!
❄️ 1/2 cup powdered sugar: For that iconic crackled, sweet coating.

Your Sweet Journey: Step-by-Step Directions to Gooey Perfection

Ready to turn simple ingredients into cookie masterpieces? Follow these easy steps to create your batch of irresistible Easy Festive Gooey Butter Cookies:

Get Ready for Joy: Preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; this simple trick makes cleanup an absolute dream, leaving more time for cookie enjoyment!
Whip Up the Creamy Dream: In your favorite spacious mixing bowl, bring out your electric mixer. Beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture transforms into a beautifully smooth and luscious cream. It should be light and airy!
Introduce the Cake Mix Magic: With your mixer on low, or using a sturdy spoon, gently stir in the entire box of yellow cake mix. Mix just until a thick, yet wonderfully sticky dough forms. Remember, the key here is not to overmix; stop as soon as it’s uniform.
Add Festive Sparkle: Now for the fun part! Delicately fold in your vibrant holiday sprinkles. Stir just enough to distribute their cheerful colors throughout the dough. Overmixing can cause those lovely colors to bleed, so be gentle!
Roll into Sweetness: It’s time to get your hands a little sugary! Scoop the dough into approximate 1 1/2-inch balls (about the size of a golf ball). Then, roll each ball generously in the powdered sugar until it’s completely coated. This step is crucial for their signature crackled, sweet crust!
Bake to Perfection: Arrange your sugar-coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them: you want the edges to be lightly set, but the centers should still look wonderfully soft and delightfully gooey.
Cool and Enjoy: Once baked, let your gorgeous cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes. This allows them to set slightly without losing their gooey heart. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Get ready to savor these simple, festive, and utterly divine treats!

Presenting & Serving Your Easy Festive Gooey Butter Cookies

Your Easy Festive Gooey Butter Cookies are already stars, but with a little extra flair, they can become the dazzling centerpieces of your holiday spread! Here are some fun ways to present and serve your delectable creations:

The Grand Cookie Tower: Arrange them on a tiered cake stand or a decorative platter, creating a beautiful edible centerpiece. Alternate with other small holiday treats for variety.
Charming Gift Jars: Layer your cookies in clear glass jars, tie a festive ribbon around the lid, and add a homemade gift tag. They make thoughtful, edible presents for friends, neighbors, or teachers!
Hot Chocolate Companions: Serve a couple of these cookies alongside mugs of steaming hot cocoa or a glass of cold milk. The combination is pure winter wonderland comfort.
Individual Dessert Delights: Place a single cookie on a small, festive plate, perhaps with a sprinkle of extra powdered sugar or a tiny candy cane for garnish, for an elegant touch at a holiday dinner.
Cookie Exchange Showstopper: Arrange them neatly in a decorative box or on a pretty tray for your next cookie exchange. Their unique texture and festive look are sure to stand out!
Brunch Buffet Star: Don’t just save them for dessert! These delightful cookies can also be a sweet addition to a holiday brunch buffet.

Storing Your Easy Festive Gooey Butter Cookies: Keep the Gooey Goodness Lasting!

Want to enjoy the magical deliciousness of your Easy Festive Gooey Butter Cookies for more than just one sitting? Here’s how to keep them fresh and fabulous:

At Room Temperature: Once completely cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay wonderfully fresh and gooey for 3 to 5 days. Layer them with parchment paper if stacking to prevent sticking.
Refrigeration: While not strictly necessary, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, especially if your kitchen is particularly warm. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezing for Later: These cookies freeze beautifully! Once fully cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Then, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe airtight container or bag, layering with parchment paper. They’ll stay delicious for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for an hour or two before serving.

FAQs: Your Burning Questions About Easy Festive Gooey Butter Cookies, Answered!

Got more questions about whipping up these irresistible Easy Festive Gooey Butter Cookies? We’ve got the answers to help you bake like a pro!

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix is classic, feel free to experiment with chocolate, red velvet, lemon, or even funfetti for different flavor twists.
What if I don’t have an electric mixer?
You can use a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease, especially for the initial wet ingredients. However, an electric mixer (handheld or stand) makes the process much quicker and ensures a smoother, creamier base.
Why are my cookies not gooey?
The most common reason for less gooey cookies is overbaking. Keep a close eye on them; remove them from the oven when the edges are just set and the centers still look very soft and slightly underbaked.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15-30 minutes to soften slightly before scooping and rolling in powdered sugar.
Can I omit the sprinkles?
Of course! While the sprinkles add a lovely festive touch, the cookies will still be absolutely delicious without them. They just won’t be quite as “festive.”
What kind of cream cheese should I use?
Always use full-fat, brick-style cream cheese. Whipped or low-fat varieties don’t provide the necessary richness and structure for that signature gooey texture.
Can I substitute butter with margarine or oil?
For the best flavor and texture of these classic gooey butter cookies, unsalted butter is highly recommended. Substitutions may alter the taste and consistency significantly.
How do I prevent the sprinkles from bleeding their color?
To minimize bleeding, fold in the sprinkles gently and quickly at the very end of the dough mixing process. Avoid overmixing once they’re added.
Are these cookies suitable for freezing after baking?
Yes, they freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, store baked cookies in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap the regular yellow cake mix for a gluten-free yellow cake mix of the same size. The rest of the ingredients and instructions remain the same.

Easy Festive Gooey Butter Cookies ✨🎄

These delightful Gooey Butter Cookies are incredibly easy to make and perfect for any holiday celebration. With a soft, gooey center and a sweet, crackled crust, they're sure to bring festive cheer!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings 32 Cookies

Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

8 ounces full-fat brick-style cream cheese softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 box yellow cake mix 15.25 ounce
1/2 cup festive holiday sprinkles

For Coating

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Get Ready: Preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; this makes cleanup a breeze!
Whip Up the Base: In a spacious bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is beautifully smooth and creamy.
Introduce the Cake Mix: Gently stir in the yellow cake mix until a thick, yet sticky dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; just combine until uniform.
Add Festive Sparkle: Delicately fold in the holiday sprinkles. Mix just enough to distribute them, as overmixing can cause their colors to bleed into your lovely dough.
Roll into Sweetness: Scoop the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Then, roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until it's completely coated. This step gives them their signature crackled, sweet crust!
Bake to Perfection: Arrange the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly set, but the centers still look delightfully soft and gooey.
Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Get ready to enjoy these simple, festive treats!

Notes

Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 120 kcal
Total Carbs: 16g
Net Carbs: 16g
Fats: 6g
Protein: 1g

Homemade Easy Festive Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe