The scent of pine needles, the sparkle of twinkling lights, and the joyous hum of holiday tunes can only mean one thing: it’s baking season! And if you’re looking for a dessert that delivers maximum festive cheer with minimal fuss, you’ve hit the jackpot. Get ready to fall in love with these delightful Easy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies. They’re soft, they’re sweet, they melt in your mouth, and best of all, they’re incredibly simple to whip up, even if your baking skills are usually reserved for ‘opening a packet and microwaving’.

Why You’ll Love These Easy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

These aren’t just any holiday cookies; they’re a little bite of Christmas magic, and here are four compelling reasons why they’ll become your new seasonal favorite:

Effortlessly Simple: Thanks to a secret weapon – a box of yellow cake mix – these cookies come together in a flash. Forget complicated measurements and endless ingredients; this recipe is designed for ease, making it perfect for busy holiday schedules or spontaneous baking sessions.

Irresistibly Gooey Texture: The name says it all! These cookies boast wonderfully crisp edges but maintain a divinely soft, buttery, and gooey center. It’s a texture sensation that’s utterly addictive and sets them apart from your typical Christmas cookie.
Packed with Festive Flair: With vibrant holiday sprinkles mixed right into the dough, these cookies are a feast for the eyes as much as they are for the taste buds. They instantly add a pop of color and festive spirit to any cookie platter or holiday gathering.

Perfect for Sharing (or Not!): Whether you’re making them for a cookie exchange, a holiday party, or simply a cozy night in, these Easy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are always a crowd-pleaser. They make fantastic edible gifts, too, spreading joy with every sweet bite.

Ingredients with Measurements

Gather your festive ingredients, and let’s get ready to create some holiday magic!

🧀 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
🧈 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
🥚 1 large egg
🥄 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
🎂 1 (15.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
✨ 1/2 cup festive holiday sprinkles
🍬 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Detailed Step-by-Step Directions on How to Make the Recipe

Get ready to create some holiday joy with these simple steps for your Easy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies:

Prepare Your Baking Zone: First things first, preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Then, grab two sturdy baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. This clever trick ensures your cookies won’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze – because who wants extra scrubbing during the holidays?
Whip Up the Wet Wonders: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine your softened cream cheese, butter, the large egg, and that lovely vanilla extract. Grab your trusty electric mixer and beat these ingredients together until they transform into a wonderfully smooth, light, and creamy concoction. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is perfectly incorporated.

Introduce the Cake Mix: Now, it’s time for our secret shortcut! Gradually add the yellow cake mix to your wet mixture. Continue mixing, either with your electric mixer on low or by hand, until a thick, somewhat sticky dough begins to form. Don’t be alarmed by the stickiness; it’s exactly what we want for that signature gooey texture!
Fold in the Festive Fun: Gently, very gently, fold in your vibrant holiday sprinkles. Use a spatula to incorporate them without overmixing. The goal is to distribute the sprinkles evenly while keeping their colors bright and preventing them from bleeding into the dough.
Give it a Chill Session: Pop that glorious dough into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This chilling period is crucial as it helps the dough firm up, making it much easier to handle, scoop, and roll into perfect little spheres. It also helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

Roll ‘Em in Sweetness: Once chilled, scoop out dough balls, each about 1.5 inches in diameter (or about 1.5 tablespoons). Place your powdered sugar in a shallow bowl and roll each dough ball generously until it’s completely coated. The powdered sugar creates that beautiful crinkled finish and adds an extra layer of sweetness.
Bake to Gooey Perfection: Arrange your sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, ensuring you leave about 2 inches of space between each one to allow for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes. You’re looking for edges that appear set, but the centers should still be wonderfully soft and look slightly undone. This is the secret to their signature gooeyness!
Cool Down and Enjoy: Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool directly on the baking sheets for a few minutes. They will be quite delicate when warm. After a short rest, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. Then, dive into your warm, festive, and utterly delicious Easy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies!

Detailed Different Ways You Can Present the Recipe and How to Serve It

These Easy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are already little stars, but with a few presentation tips, they can truly shine on your holiday table or as thoughtful gifts!

Festive Cookie Platters: Arrange them artfully on a large holiday platter alongside other Christmas favorites like gingerbread men or shortbread. Use varying heights and textures for visual appeal.
Elegant Stacking: Create a small pyramid of cookies on a delicate dessert plate. A dusting of extra powdered sugar just before serving can mimic freshly fallen snow.

Individual Gift Bags: Place 3-4 cookies in clear cellophane bags, tie with a festive ribbon, and add a small handmade tag. Perfect for teachers, neighbors, or colleagues!
Drizzled with White Chocolate: For an extra touch of elegance, once cooled, melt some white chocolate chips and drizzle it artfully over the cookies. You can even add a few extra sprinkles on top of the chocolate before it sets.
Paired with Warm Drinks: Serve these cookies warm or at room temperature alongside a steaming mug of hot cocoa with marshmallows, a festive spiced tea, or a creamy eggnog.

Dessert Bar Centerpiece: If you’re hosting a holiday party, these cookies are a must-have for any dessert bar. Their vibrant colors and inviting texture will draw everyone in.
Cookie Exchange Star: They’re unique enough to stand out in a cookie exchange, guaranteeing you’ll be the talk of the party!

How You Can Store It and How Long Does It Last

To keep your delightful Easy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies fresh and gooey for as long as possible, follow these simple storage tips:

At Room Temperature: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Placing a slice of bread in the container can sometimes help keep them softer, but this recipe is naturally moist!
In the Refrigerator: While not strictly necessary for freshness, if your kitchen runs warm or you want to extend their life slightly, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Let them come to room temperature or warm them briefly in the microwave for a few seconds before serving for the best gooey experience.
Freezing Baked Cookies: These cookies freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about an hour). Then transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They will last for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Freezing Dough Balls: You can also prepare the dough, roll it into balls, coat them in powdered sugar, and freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time (around 12-15 minutes). This is perfect for fresh-baked cookies on demand!

FAQs Sections

Got questions about these irresistible Easy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies? We’ve got answers!

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix provides a classic buttery base, feel free to experiment with white cake mix, French vanilla, or even a festive funfetti cake mix for extra color.

What if my dough is too sticky to roll?
If your dough feels too sticky even after 30 minutes, pop it back in the fridge for another 15-30 minutes. You can also lightly dust your hands with a little powdered sugar before rolling.
Can I skip the chilling step?
It’s highly recommended not to skip the chilling step. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it much easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much and becoming flat during baking.
Why are my cookies flat and not gooey?
This could be due to several reasons: the dough wasn’t chilled long enough (or at all), your oven temperature might be off (too low), or you might have overbaked them. Remember, the key to gooey centers is to remove them when the edges are set but the centers still look soft.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough up to 2-3 days in advance and store it, covered, in the refrigerator. Just be sure to let it sit out for about 10-15 minutes before rolling if it’s very firm.
What kind of sprinkles are best for these cookies?
Any festive holiday sprinkles work! Nonpareils (the tiny round ones) hold their shape well, and jimmie sprinkles (the long stick-shaped ones) add nice texture. Avoid very large or heavy sprinkles that might sink.
How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked for that gooey texture?
Look for cookies with edges that are just beginning to set and turn a light golden color. The centers should still look soft, slightly puffed, and definitely not fully firm. They will continue to set slightly as they cool.

Can I halve or double this recipe?
Yes, this recipe is quite flexible! You can easily halve the ingredients for a smaller batch or double them if you’re baking for a crowd. Adjust your baking sheets accordingly.
Are these cookies freezer-friendly?
Yes, both the baked cookies and the dough balls can be frozen. See the storage section above for detailed instructions on how to freeze and thaw.
What makes these cookies “gooey butter cookies”?
The combination of cream cheese and butter in the dough, along with slightly underbaking them, creates that signature rich, dense, and wonderfully gooey texture that sets them apart from traditional crinkle cookies.

Easy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies 🎄

These easy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive treat, perfect for holiday gatherings. With a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a delicious cake mix base, they’re quick to make and adorned with colorful sprinkles.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings 32 cookies

Calories 103 kcal

Equipment

Baking Sheets
Parchment Paper
Electric Mixer
Large Bowl
Wire Rack

Ingredients

8 ounces full-fat cream cheese softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 ounce)
1/2 cup festive holiday sprinkles
1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

1. Get Ready to Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper – this makes cleanup a breeze!
2. Mix the Wet Stuff: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract until everything is wonderfully smooth and creamy.
3. Add the Cake Mix: Slowly mix in the yellow cake mix. Keep stirring until a thick, slightly sticky dough forms. Don’t worry, sticky is good for gooey cookies!

4. Fold in the Fun: Gently fold in your holiday sprinkles. Be careful not to overmix, so the colors stay vibrant and don’t bleed into the dough.
5. Chill Out: Pop the dough in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes. This makes it much easier to handle and roll.
6. Roll ‘Em Up: Scoop out about 1.5-inch balls of dough. Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until it’s completely coated.

7. Bake to Perfection: Place the coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between them. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should look set, but the centers should still be deliciously soft. This is key for that gooey texture!
8. Cool Down: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. Enjoy your festive, gooey treats!

Notes

These cookies are a fantastic addition to any holiday spread, easy to make and irresistibly gooey!

Nutrition Information (per cookie):
Calories: 103 kcal
Total Carbs: 16g
Net Carbs: 15.8g
Fats: 4g
Protein: 2g

The Ultimate Easy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies