If you are looking for a festive treat that combines the best of buttery, creamy goodness with holiday cheer, this Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. These soft, luscious cookies are perfectly sweet and delightfully tender, with a richness that feels like a warm hug in cookie form. The blend of cream cheese and butter creates an irresistibly smooth texture, while the sprinkle of festive red and green accents adds a cheerful burst of color that instantly lifts your spirits. Whether you’re baking for a party, a gift, or an indulgent treat just for yourself, these cookies bring the magic of the holidays straight to your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe relies on simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create an extraordinary flavor and texture. Each component plays a vital role, from providing a rich buttery base to adding that perfect hint of sweetness and softness that these cookies are famous for.
- Cream cheese (8 oz, softened): This adds a smooth, tangy richness that makes the cookies so irresistibly soft and moist.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, softened): Essential for that classic buttery flavor and a tender crumb in every bite.
- Large egg (1): Binds the ingredients together and gives the dough structure.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Infuses a lovely aromatic sweetness that lifts the entire cookie.
- Yellow cake mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): This store-bought shortcut saves time while providing a balanced sweetness and soft texture.
- Powdered sugar (½ cup): Creates a snowy coating that adds a delicate sweetness and a dainty finish.
- Holiday sprinkles (¼ cup, optional): Red and green sprinkle accents to bring extra festive flair and a little crunch.
How to Make Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare your baking station
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your cookies bake evenly and won’t stick, giving you perfect cookies that lift off easily for cooling.
Step 2: Cream the butter and cream cheese
In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until the mixture is silky smooth and creamy. This creates the luscious base that delivers those ooey gooey moments in every bite.
Step 3: Add egg and vanilla
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is well combined. This adds moisture and flavor, building the foundation of your cookie dough.
Step 4: Incorporate the cake mix
Gradually add the yellow cake mix to your wet ingredients. Stir until you form a thick, sticky dough. This step is crucial — the cake mix balances the tangy richness and gives your cookies structure without losing softness.
Step 5: Fold in festive sprinkles
If you want to embrace the holiday spirit fully, gently fold in the red and green holiday sprinkles. They add bursts of color and a slight crunch that make these cookies so visually delightful and fun to eat.
Step 6: Coat dough balls in powdered sugar
Place the powdered sugar in a small bowl. Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each ball thoroughly in the sugar until completely coated. This not only adds sweetness but creates that signature crackly top once baked.
Step 7: Bake your cookies
Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake them for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are set and tops crackle, yet the centers remain wonderfully soft and chewy.
Step 8: Cool and enjoy
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps maintain their delicate texture and keeps them from becoming too fragile.
How to Serve Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a garnish can make your Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe truly shine. Consider extra holiday sprinkles or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a dreamy snowy effect. For an added touch, drizzle a little melted white chocolate over the top for a sophisticated, festive finish.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a warm beverage for the perfect cozy holiday snack. Hot cocoa topped with whipped cream or a spiced chai latte complements the buttery richness perfectly. You can also serve them alongside a simple plate of fresh fruit or nuts to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation is half the fun! Arrange your Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe on a festive platter surrounded by pine sprigs or cranberries. Gift them in decorative boxes tied with ribbons, or stack them as a centerpiece for holiday parties. You can even use cookie tins for a charming, reusable gift option that friends and family will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps the cookies soft and moist, ready for snacking whenever the craving hits.
Freezing
If you want to keep these delicious cookies longer, you can freeze the dough balls before baking or the baked cookies themselves. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. Dough balls can be frozen for up to 3 months, and baked cookies up to 2 months.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven feel, warm the cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This softens the butter and cream cheese center beautifully without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix for this recipe?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix is traditional here, you can experiment with white or even spice cake mixes to add a different flavor twist to your Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
Standard cake mixes contain gluten, so these cookies are not gluten-free unless you use a gluten-free cake mix specifically. Always check ingredient labels if you need a gluten-free option.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can, but you might want to reduce any additional salt in the recipe. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of your cookies better, but salted butter can work in a pinch.
Why do the cookies stay soft after baking?
The combination of cream cheese and butter creates a tender, moist dough that remains soft even after baking. This is what makes the Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe stand out, giving you that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Can I skip the powdered sugar coating?
The powdered sugar coating adds a lovely texture and visual appeal but can be skipped if desired. However, without it, the cookies may not develop the classic crackled top that many find so charming.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about the Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe that makes baking feel like a joyful celebration of the season itself. From the creamy, tender dough to the festive sprinkles and soft centers, these cookies remind me of cozy holiday afternoons spent with loved ones. I hope you give this recipe a try and find as much happiness in every bite as I do sharing it with you. Happy baking and happy holidays!
Print
Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are rich, soft, and delightfully festive with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Combining cream cheese, butter, and yellow cake mix, these cookies are rolled in powdered sugar and adorned with holiday sprinkles for a perfect Christmas treat that’s easy to make and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
Coating and Decoration
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup holiday sprinkles (red and green, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the cookies.
- Mix Cream Cheese and Butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This base creates the ooey gooey texture of the cookies.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the cream cheese and butter mixture. Mix thoroughly until fully combined to provide structure and flavor.
- Add Cake Mix: Gradually add the yellow cake mix to the wet ingredients, stirring until a thick, sticky dough forms. This dough is dense and holds together well.
- Fold in Sprinkles: If using, gently fold in the holiday sprinkles to add festive color and a slight crunch without compromising the texture.
- Coat in Powdered Sugar: Place the powdered sugar in a small bowl. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, form tablespoon-sized dough balls, then roll each ball thoroughly in the powdered sugar to coat completely. This sugar coating creates the signature crinkle top on the cookies.
- Bake the Cookies: Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set and the tops show a crinkled appearance, while the centers remain soft and gooey.
- Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking apart and ensures the perfect texture.
Notes
- Do not overbake; the center should remain soft for the true ooey gooey texture.
- Using room temperature cream cheese and butter ensures a smooth dough mixture.
- Holiday sprinkles are optional but add a festive touch suitable for Christmas.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- These cookies freeze well; thaw completely before serving.
