Festive Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe for Sweet Joy

Soft and pillowy Christmas gooey butter cookies have been my secret holiday indulgence for years.

Baking these delectable treats fills my kitchen with an irresistible aroma of warm spices and sweet nostalgia.

Memories of childhood gatherings flood back with each crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth bite.

My grandmother first shared this treasured recipe during festive winter evenings, whispering kitchen secrets while mixing ingredients.

Rich cream cheese and powdered sugar create a decadent texture that feels like pure comfort.

These cookies promise to become an instant favorite at any seasonal celebration.

I promise you’ll want to savor every single crumb of this magical dessert.

Sweet Sips for Gooey Butter Cookies

• Select sweet moscato or port wines that complement the cookie's rich, buttery texture and highlight its powdery sweetness.
• Harmonize Complementary Coffee Choices
• Brew smooth vanilla-infused coffee or creamy hazelnut roast to balance the cookie's sugary profile and provide warm holiday comfort.
• Create Perfect Holiday Beverage Matches
• Serve warm spiced apple cider or hot chocolate with a dash of cinnamon to enhance the cookie's festive Christmas essence and provide cozy drinking experience.
• Elevate Flavor Experience with Milk Pairings
• Choose cold whole milk or almond milk chilled for maximum refreshment, cutting through the cookie's decadent richness and offering classic holiday treat accompaniment.

Gooey Butter Cookies Holiday Blends

• Gluten-Free Bliss: Replace cake mix with a gluten-free yellow cake mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Holiday Treat: Swap cream cheese with vegan cream cheese, use a plant-based egg substitute like flax egg, and choose a vegan-friendly cake mix.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use a sugar-free cake mix, replace powdered sugar coating with a light dusting of monk fruit sweetener or stevia-based powdered sugar.
• Nutty Flavor Boost: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough for extra crunch and festive texture, complementing the holiday theme.

FAQs

These cookies get their name from their incredibly soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture created by using cream cheese and cake mix, which results in a rich, gooey center that’s different from traditional crisp cookies.

• Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Yes, you can experiment with various cake mix flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or spice cake to create different variations of these cookies while maintaining the same basic recipe.

• How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chill the prepared cookie dough balls in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes before baking. This helps them maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading in the oven.

• Why do I need to roll the cookies in powdered sugar?

Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar creates a sweet, delicate exterior and helps develop a beautiful crackled surface when baked, giving the cookies an attractive, festive appearance.

Gooey Butter Cookies That Taste Like a Holiday Treat

• Quick Festive Baking: Whip up delicious treats in just 20 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy holiday schedules.
• Family-Friendly Fun: Kids can help roll dough balls and coat them in powdered sugar, making it a delightful group activity.
• Crowd-Pleasing Texture: Enjoy ultra-soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that deliver a rich, buttery flavor with every bite.

Festive Cookie Flavors for Gooey Holiday Magic

• Cake Mix: Provides the main structure and flavor of the cookies, choose a white or vanilla flavor for best results.
• Cream Cheese: Adds richness and helps create a soft, gooey texture, use full-fat cream cheese for best consistency.
• Butter: Enhances flavor and helps with cookie texture, use unsalted butter for better control of sweetness.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a sweet, delicate exterior and classic Christmas cookie look, ensure it's fresh and finely ground.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic cookie flavor, use pure vanilla for best taste.
• Almond Extract: Provides a subtle, festive background note, optional but recommended for holiday charm.

Butter Cookies Gooey Christmas Steps

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.

This ensures your cookies won’t stick and bake evenly.

Step 2: Create Creamy Cookie Mixture

• Cake mix
• Softened cream cheese
• Butter
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Whip these ingredients until they form a smooth, rich dough.

The mixture will be thick and slightly sticky.

Step 3: Shape Delightful Morsels

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into perfect round balls.

Generously coat each ball by rolling it in powdered sugar, creating a beautiful white exterior.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Slide the sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Watch for light golden edges while maintaining a soft, gooey center.

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy

Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.

These festive treats are now ready to melt in your mouth and spread holiday cheer.

Holiday Baking Tips for Gooey Butter Cookies

• Leave cream cheese at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, lump-free dough and easier blending.
• Use a cookie scoop for uniform size and consistent baking, preventing some cookies from overcooking while others remain undercooked.
• Generously roll cookies in powdered sugar before baking for a beautiful crackled exterior and extra sweetness that melts in your mouth.
• Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before forming balls if it feels too sticky, making it easier to handle and shape cookies.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with a piece of bread to maintain moisture and softness for 3-4 days at room temperature.

Gooey Butter Cookies Storage

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container between layers of wax paper, preserving their soft texture for 2-3 months.
• Warm refrigerated cookies in the microwave for 8-10 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
• Add a slice of bread to the container to maintain moisture and prevent cookies from becoming dry or crumbly.

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive holiday magic sparkles in these Christmas gooey butter cookies, blending sweet cream cheese and powdered sugar into irresistible pillowy bites. Christmas memories melt together with each delicate, sugar-dusted cookie you savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) yellow cake mix
• 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Coating:

• 1/4 cup (50 grams) powdered sugar (for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring an even surface for cookie placement.
2. Create a luxurious dough by blending cake mix, cream cheese, butter, egg, vanilla, and almond extracts in a large mixing bowl, whisking until the mixture transforms into a smooth, glossy consistency with a thick, sticky texture.
3. Shape the cookie dough into delicate spheres, using a tablespoon as a guide, then generously roll each ball in powdered sugar, creating a soft, cloud-like exterior.
4. Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, positioning them with ample space between each cookie to allow for gentle spreading during baking.
5. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for a subtle golden hue around the edges while maintaining a tender, pillowy center.
6. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest briefly on the baking sheet to stabilize, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack, allowing them to reach room temperature and develop their signature gooey texture.

Notes

• Swap cake mix for gluten-free alternatives to make these cookies celiac-friendly and accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Experiment with different extract combinations like peppermint or orange to create unique flavor profiles and surprise your taste buds.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent excessive spreading and maintain a perfect round shape during baking.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to preserve their soft, gooey texture and prevent sticking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 218
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 190mg
• Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 27g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg