Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are soft, chewy, melt-in-your-mouth delights that sparkle with holiday cheer! Made with a yellow cake mix, cream cheese, butter, and festive sprinkles, these cookies are incredibly easy to make yet taste like they came straight from a bakery.
They have a tender, gooey center with lightly crisp edges dusted in powdered sugar the perfect balance of buttery sweetness and holiday magic. Whether for cookie exchanges, festive parties, or Santa’s cookie plate, these cookies are guaranteed to earn rave reviews.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Cookies
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are everything a holiday treat should be soft, buttery, and sweet with the perfect amount of festive crunch from the sprinkles. The cake mix makes them foolproof, while the cream cheese guarantees a melt-in-your-mouth texture every time.
They’re easy to prepare, brighten any cookie tray, and deliver pure holiday joy in each bite. Whether you’re baking with family or whipping up a batch for friends, these cookies will spread cheer faster than twinkling lights on a Christmas tree.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup holiday sprinkles (red, green, or mixed)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Step-by-Step Method
Step 1: Preheat and prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Step 2: Cream the butter and cream cheese
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, light, and fluffy about 2 minutes.
Step 3: Add the egg and vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
Step 4: Add the cake mix
Add the dry yellow cake mix to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed (the dough will be thick) until a soft, sticky dough comes together.
Fold in the holiday sprinkles gently using a spatula to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
Step 5: Chill the dough
Cover the mixing bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. Chilling makes the dough easier to scoop and helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
Step 6: Scoop and coat
Place the powdered sugar in a small bowl. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop balls of dough about 1 to 1½ inches in size. Roll each dough ball lightly between your hands to smooth it, then coat it fully in powdered sugar.
Set the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet.
Step 7: Bake
Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft and gooey.
Do not overbake the magic of gooey butter cookies lies in that soft, tender center.
Step 8: Cool and serve
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Once cooled, dust lightly with additional powdered sugar if you’d like and enjoy your buttery, festive creations!
Expert Tips for Success
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Soften ingredients properly: Cream cheese and butter should be soft but not melted for the best texture.
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Chill the dough: Don’t skip chilling it reduces spreading and gives the cookies their signature gooey centers.
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Don’t overmix: Once the cake mix is added, mix gently to avoid overworking the dough.
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Use fresh sprinkles: Gel-based or nonpareil sprinkles can melt into the dough; jimmies hold their color best during baking.
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Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Tasty Variations to Try
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Red velvet twist: Substitute red velvet cake mix for a festive red hue and pair with white chocolate chips.
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Peppermint version: Mix in ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract and top with crushed candy canes.
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Chocolate lovers: Use chocolate cake mix and drizzle baked cookies with melted white chocolate.
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Frosting finish: Add a thin layer of cream cheese frosting for a richer, double-buttery effect.
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Sprinkle swap: Switch the colors to fit any celebration pink and red for Valentine’s Day or pastel for Easter!
Serving Ideas
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Holiday parties: Pile them high on a red and green platter for instant festive cheer.
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Cookie exchange: These cookies stand out with their powdered sugar sparkle and chewy goodness.
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Santa’s plate: Leave a few out on Christmas Eve they’ll disappear in no time!
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Gift boxes: Package in clear bags with a ribbon or tuck them into decorative tins for homemade holiday gifts.
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Dessert spread: Pair with hot cocoa, coffee, or eggnog for a dreamy Christmas dessert table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes! You can use white, butter, or even funfetti cake mix instead of yellow cake mix each gives a slightly different flavor and texture.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely. Scoop and roll the dough into coated balls, then freeze on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes.
Why are my cookies flat?
If your cookies spread too much, the dough may have been too warm. Chill it longer or ensure your butter and cream cheese aren’t overly soft.
How can I make these extra gooey?
Pull them from the oven as soon as the edges are set but the centers are still soft. They’ll firm slightly as they cool, leaving you with that perfect gooey middle.
Can kids help make these?
Definitely! This recipe is fun and simple kids love rolling the dough in powdered sugar and adding the sprinkles.
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
- Total Time: 70
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, chewy, and delightfully festive cookies made with yellow cake mix, cream cheese, butter, and colorful sprinkles. With gooey centers, crisp edges, and a powdered sugar coating, they’re perfect for holiday gifting and Santa’s plate.
Ingredients
- 8 oz 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 red and green sprinkles
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
- Beat softened butter and cream cheese for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Mix in egg and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually beat in cake mix until dough forms. Fold in sprinkles.
- Refrigerate dough 30–60 minutes to make shaping easier and reduce spreading.
- Shape 1–1½-inch dough balls, roll smooth, and coat in powdered sugar. Arrange 2 inches apart on baking sheets.
- Bake 10–12 minutes until edges set but centers stay soft and gooey.
- Cool 5 minutes, then transfer to rack to cool fully. Dust with extra powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
Use softened, not melted, butter and cream cheese for ideal texture.
Chilling the dough keeps cookies thick with gooey centers.
Don’t overbake—centers should look just slightly underdone.
Use jimmie-style sprinkles; nonpareils can bleed color during baking.
Store in airtight container up to 5 days or refrigerate for 1 week.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 11
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American / Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 155
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: gooey butter cookies, christmas cake mix cookies, soft festive cookies, holiday sprinkle cookies, powdered sugar cookies
