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Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

4.8 from 77 reviews

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a soft, chewy, and rich holiday treat made with cake mix, cream cheese, and butter. These easy-to-make cookies offer a delightful gooey texture and can be decorated with powdered sugar and festive sprinkles, making them a perfect addition to your holiday celebrations or cookie exchanges.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies

  • 1 box (15.25 oz) cake mix (yellow or vanilla)
  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
  • Festive sprinkles (for decoration, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
  2. Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract, and beat until fully combined. Gradually mix in the cake mix until the dough becomes thick and sticky.
  3. Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes to make it easier to handle and shape.
  4. Shape the Cookies: Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop dough with a cookie scoop or tablespoon and roll into balls. Coat each ball thoroughly in powdered sugar and place them on the lined baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
  5. Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops are slightly cracked. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
  6. Add Toppings: While the cookies are still warm, optionally sprinkle festive sprinkles on top to add a colorful holiday touch.

Notes

  • Use a gluten-free cake mix to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • Experiment with different extracts like peppermint or lemon to customize the flavor.
  • You can add chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit into the dough for extra texture and flavor.
  • Dough can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated up to 3 days before baking.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Serve with hot cocoa, coffee, or milk for a perfect festive pairing.

Keywords: Christmas cookies, gooey butter cookies, holiday treats, soft cookies, easy cookie recipe, festive cookies