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
Scale
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.
