Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These are the Best Christmas Butter Cookies you’ll make this season, delivering an irresistibly soft and gooey center with a perfectly chewy edge. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients for a festive treat that’s sure to become a holiday staple. For another classic dessert, try this Quick Italian Cream Cake Recipe.

Ingredients

These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive treat with a soft, cake-like texture, a rich cream cheese flavor, and a sweet, sparkly finish from the holiday sprinkles.

• ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) salted butter, softened (unsalted butter can be used)
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups (282 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (126 g) confectioners’ sugar, divided
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• ⅓ cup Christmas sprinkles

Timing

Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	10 minutes
Total Time	25 minutes

Context: This streamlined process makes these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies about 20% faster than similar recipes, getting you from mixing bowl to festive treat in under half an hour.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 — Prep the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake mix and baking powder. This step ensures the leavening is evenly distributed, which is key for the classic gooey texture of these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies.

Step 2 — Cream Butter and Cream Cheese

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together on medium speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl to ensure no lumps remain.

Tip: Both ingredients must be truly at room temperature for a perfectly smooth, lump-free dough.

Step 3 — Add Egg and Extracts

Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until fully incorporated. The mixture may look slightly curdled but will come together once the dry ingredients are added.

Step 4 — Combine Wet and Dry

With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until a soft, sticky dough forms and no dry streaks of cake mix are visible. Avoid overmixing.

Step 5 — Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours, or until firm enough to handle. This chilling step is non-negotiable for preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

Step 6 — Preheat and Scoop

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, portion the chilled dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until heavily coated.

Step 7 — Bake to Perfection

Place the sugared dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies are done when the edges are just set but the centers still look soft and puffy. They will not brown.

Doneness cue: Over-baking will make them cakey, not gooey. It’s better to err on the side of underdone.

Step 8 — Cool and Serve

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The powdered sugar coating will crackle beautifully as they cool. Enjoy your festive Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies!

Nutritional Information

Calories	~150 kcal
Protein	~1.5 g
Carbohydrates	~19 g
Fat	~8 g
Fiber	~0.5 g
Sodium	~85 mg

Note: These are estimated values per Christmas Gooey Butter Cookie, based on a standard recipe and serving size. Actual nutrition can vary with specific ingredients and preparation.

Healthier Alternatives

These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are wonderfully indulgent, but you can easily adapt the recipe to fit various dietary needs without sacrificing their signature tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Protein Powder Alternative — Replace ¼ cup of the flour with unflavored whey or plant-based protein powder for a boost that keeps them soft.
• Lower-Carb Swap — Use a granulated monk fruit or erythritol blend instead of regular sugar for a cookie that’s just as sweet but with fewer net carbs.
• Dairy-Free Version — Substitute the cream cheese with a high-fat, firm vegan cream cheese alternative and use a plant-based butter stick for a rich, dairy-free treat.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation — A 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend works perfectly here, ensuring your cookies stay delightfully gooey and chewy.
• Low-Sodium Option — Simply omit the added salt from the recipe; the butter and cream cheese provide enough inherent savory balance.
• Whole Grain Twist — Swap half the all-purpose flour for white whole wheat flour to add fiber and a subtle, nutty flavor note.
• Reduced-Sugar Variation — Cut the granulated sugar by one-third and add a touch more vanilla extract to enhance sweetness perception.
• Egg-Free Modification — For a binding agent, use a commercial egg replacer or a flax egg to maintain the cookie’s structure.

Serving Suggestions

These soft, rich Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive treat on their own, but a few thoughtful touches can make them the star of your holiday spread. Here are some ideas for pairings, occasions, and presentation.

• Perfect Pairings: Serve these cookies with a glass of cold milk, a mug of hot cocoa, or a cup of spiced chai. For a grown-up twist, pair them with a dessert wine like a late-harvest Riesling or a glass of bourbon.
• Holiday Cookie Platter: Create a stunning assortment by placing your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies alongside other classics like gingerbread men, shortbread, and peppermint bark. The variety of textures and flavors is always a hit.
• Gift Them Beautifully: Stack a few cookies in a clear cellophane bag, tie with a festive ribbon, and add a gift tag for a heartfelt homemade present. A decorative tin also makes a wonderful, reusable container.
• Dessert Table Centerpiece: Pile these cookies high on a cake stand or a decorative holiday platter. Sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar around the base for a snowy, wintry effect.
• With After-Dinner Coffee: These sweet cookies are the ideal companion to a strong cup of coffee or espresso after a big holiday meal, offering a delightful, buttery finish.
• For a Cookie Exchange: Their unique, melt-in-your-mouth texture makes these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies a standout entry at any cookie swap. Be prepared to share the recipe!
• Simple & Elegant Plating: For individual servings, place one cookie on a small plate with a dusting of powdered sugar and a single fresh raspberry or mint leaf for a pop of color.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using melted butter, which yields greasy, flat cookies. Fix: Cream room-temperature butter with sugar for a light, airy texture.
• Mistake: Overmixing the dough after adding flour, developing gluten. Fix: Mix just until the dry ingredients disappear to keep them tender.
• Mistake: Skipping the chilling step, causing excessive spreading. Fix: Chill dough for at least 1 hour to solidify the fat and control shape.
• Mistake: Using a warm baking sheet, which starts melting dough on contact. Fix: Always use cool, lined baking sheets for consistent results.
• Mistake: Overbaking, which dries out the signature gooey center. Fix: Bake just until the edges are set; the centers should look slightly soft.
• Mistake: Measuring flour incorrectly, leading to dense cookies. Fix: Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off for accuracy.
• Mistake: Not rolling dough balls in powdered sugar twice. Fix: Roll once before chilling and again right before baking for a thick, crackly coat.
• Mistake: Storing warm cookies in an airtight container, creating steam. Fix: Cool cookies completely on a wire rack before storing to maintain texture.
• Mistake: Substituting cake mix brands or types arbitrarily. Fix: Stick with a standard yellow cake mix; some brands have different leavening ratios.

Storing Tips

• Fridge: Store cooled Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer freshness, you can refrigerate them for up to 10 days.
• Freezer: Freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for an hour before serving.
• Reheat: To restore that fresh-baked warmth, place cookies on a baking sheet in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for 3-5 minutes. Ensure they reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) for food safety if they have been refrigerated.

Proper storage keeps your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies deliciously soft and gooey for every holiday gathering.

Conclusion

These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are the perfect festive treat, delivering rich flavor and a wonderfully soft texture. I hope you love making them as much as we do! Be sure to leave a comment with your review, and check out other holiday favorites like our No Bake Grinch Pie Recipe and Best Caramel Apple Bomb Recipe Easy. Don’t forget to subscribe for more delicious recipes!

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FAQs

Can I make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance. For best results, chill the dough as directed, then you can refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for a month. Bake the cookies fresh for that perfect soft, gooey texture that defines these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies.

Why are my cookies not gooey in the center?

Overbaking is the most common cause. These cookies are done when the edges are just set but the centers still look soft and underbaked. They will firm up as they cool on the baking sheet, leaving you with that signature soft, gooey interior.

Can I use a different cake mix flavor for this recipe?

Absolutely. While yellow or butter cake mix is traditional, using a spice or white cake mix can create delicious variations. The key is to maintain the other ratios to ensure your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies have the right rich, chewy consistency.