There’s nothing quite like biting into a soft, sweet, and buttery cookie fresh from the oven, especially during the holidays. This Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe is pure magic — chewy, melt-in-your-mouth, and festively decorated to put everyone in the Christmas spirit.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made these cookies every holiday season for years now, and they never disappoint! Their soft, gooey texture feels indulgent but they’re surprisingly quick to whip up. Plus, decorating them with sprinkles is half the fun—your kitchen smells amazing and your family feels instantly festive.
- Ridiculously Easy: You only need one bowl and simple ingredients, so no fuss but all the flavor.
- Perfectly Soft & Gooey: Thanks to cream cheese and butter, these cookies stay moist and tender even after cooling.
- Customizable Flavors & Toppings: Swap out the cake mix flavor or add your favorite holiday sprinkles to make them your own.
- Great for Gifts & Parties: These cookies look super festive and hold up well for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe strikes a perfect balance between simple pantry staples and a little cream cheese magic. Each ingredient plays a role to create that iconic ooey-gooey texture and buttery flavor that makes this Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe unforgettable.
- Yellow cake mix: The base providing sweetness, structure, and flavor; feel free to experiment with other cake flavors for variety.
- Softened butter: Adds richness and moisture; make sure it’s at room temp so it blends smoothly.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances sweetness and adds warm, cozy notes.
- Cream cheese: The secret weapon for that ultra-soft, almost creamy texture — don’t skip it or use cold cream cheese.
- Egg: Binds everything together and gives a touch of fluffiness.
- Powdered sugar: Used for coating to keep them extra sweet and add that signature crackly finish.
- Holiday sprinkles: Because what’s Christmas without festive colors and sparkle? Plus, they add a tiny crunch and charm.
Make It Your Way
I love to put my own spin on this Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe by swapping out the cake mix flavor or mixing in some festive add-ins. Don’t hesitate to play around and find the version that you and your family enjoy the most.
- Flavor Variation: One year, I used a spice cake mix and added a pinch of cinnamon for a cozy twist that felt perfect for winter.
- Dietary Adjustments: You could experiment with gluten-free cake mixes if needed, though the texture might vary slightly.
- Extra Mix-ins: I’ve added mini chocolate chips, crushed candy canes, or chopped nuts into the dough for a little surprise bite.
- Decorating Ideas: Colored sanding sugar or white chocolate drizzle turn these cookies into mini holiday masterpieces.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Whip Up a Creamy Base
Start by beating together softened butter, cream cheese, the egg, and vanilla extract until everything is fluffy and well combined. I usually use my stand mixer for this, but a hand mixer works just fine. The key is ensuring the cream cheese is really softened so you don’t have lumps — otherwise, your cookies won’t have that signature creamy texture.
Step 2: Mix in the Cake Mix
Add in the cake mix and blend on low speed until it’s fully incorporated. The dough will be soft — don’t worry if it seems sticky, that’s exactly what you want for ooey gooey cookies.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Pop the dough into the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour. This makes it easier to handle and helps the cookies hold their shape without spreading too much. I usually use this time to prep my baking sheets and get the sprinkles ready.
Step 4: Roll, Coat, and Bake
Once chilled, scoop and roll the dough into balls—about one inch in size works best. Roll each ball in your chosen holiday sprinkles, then dip into a bowl of powdered sugar, rolling around until they’re fully coated. This double coating locks in moisture and creates that beautiful crackled sugar surface after baking.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes. You’re aiming for edges that are just starting to brown while the centers stay soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Top Tip
Through making this recipe over several years, I’ve learned a few little tricks that help these Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies turn out perfectly every time.
- Softened Ingredients Are a Must: Make sure both your butter and cream cheese are room temperature for smooth mixing without lumps.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye during the last minutes; you want pale edges with just a hint of golden, so the centers stay gooey.
- Chill Time Helps Shape: Even if you’re in a hurry, don’t skip chilling — it dramatically improves dough handling and cookie texture.
- Double Coating for the Win: Rolling the dough in sprinkles first, then powdered sugar, both seals in moisture and adds festive flair.
How to Serve Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I keep it simple with classic holiday sprinkles—reds, greens, and whites—to make these cookies feel extra festive. When I want to dress them up a bit, a gentle dusting of extra powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate absolutely steals the show.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of spiced cider, eggnog, or even a mug of rich hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. I often serve them alongside mini gingerbread men or peppermint bark to complete the holiday spread.
Creative Ways to Present
I like arranging these cookies on a Christmas-themed platter layered with evergreen sprigs or cinnamon sticks for an inviting display. Wrapping a few in clear cellophane tied with festive ribbons also makes wonderful little gifts for neighbors or coworkers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once fully cooled, store your Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for about 4-5 days — perfect if you’re baking ahead for a party.
Freezing
I’ve frozen the dough balls before baking to save time on busy days. Just shape and freeze on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, bake them straight from frozen — just add a couple extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
If you want to warm up leftover cookies, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. You’ll get back that soft, gooey feel, as if they’ve just come out of the oven — but be careful not to overheat or they’ll dry out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! This Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe is quite versatile. Using different cake mix flavors like spice, chocolate, or red velvet can add a unique twist to your cookies without changing the texture much.
The key is not to overbake them and to make sure you use softened cream cheese and butter. Also, chilling the dough before baking helps keep them from spreading too thin and drying out.
Yes, you can freeze both the dough and the baked cookies. For dough, freeze shaped balls on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. For baked cookies, store them in an airtight container and freeze. Thaw at room temperature or warm up briefly in the microwave.
Chilling the dough isn’t absolutely mandatory, but it greatly improves handling and final texture. It helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents spreading too much in the oven, resulting in a thicker, more gooey cookie.
Final Thoughts
These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are one of my all-time favorite holiday treats because they bring everyone together in the best way: sharing something sweet, buttery, and homemade. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll want to stash it away for every Christmas to come. So go on, bake these treats and watch your holiday gatherings light up with smiles and satisfied sighs!
Print
Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies, featuring a soft and creamy texture with a buttery cake mix base, cream cheese, and a sweet coating of powdered sugar and holiday sprinkles. Perfectly baked for a tender bite and a holiday treat everyone will love.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box yellow cake mix (or any preferred flavor)
- ½ cup softened butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 1 large egg
Coating and Decoration
- Powdered sugar (enough to coat cookies)
- Holiday sprinkles (enough to roll cookies in)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Beat together the softened butter, vanilla extract, large egg, and softened cream cheese until the mixture is fluffy and well combined.
- Add cake mix: Gradually add the boxed yellow cake mix to the wet ingredients and blend thoroughly until the dough is smooth and uniform.
- Chill the dough: Place the dough in the refrigerator and chill for 1 hour to firm up, making it easier to shape.
- Form and coat cookies: Roll the chilled dough into balls, dip them in holiday sprinkles, then roll in powdered sugar until fully coated for a festive touch.
- Bake the cookies: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the coated dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat, and bake for 12 minutes until the edges are lightly browned.
- Cool down: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For best results, ensure both butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature before mixing to achieve a smooth dough.
- Chilling the dough for a full hour helps maintain the cookie shape during baking and enhances texture.
- You can substitute the yellow cake mix with other flavors like white or spice cake for variety.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- If you prefer a less sweet coating, reduce the amount of powdered sugar used for rolling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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