Name: Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix (or any preferred flavor); 1/2 cup softened butter; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 8 ounces softened cream cheese; 1 large egg; Powdered sugar (enough to coat cookies); Holiday sprinkles (enough to roll cookies in)

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.

A stack of four round cookies sits on a white plate, each cookie covered in thick, colorful sprinkles in red, green, and white colors. The cookies show a soft yellow dough underneath the sprinkles, with a slightly rough texture. One cookie leans against the stack, fully showing its sprinkle-covered top. The plate is on a white marbled surface, with a silver baking tray holding a similar cookie blurred in the background. A white cloth with red stripes is partially visible on the bottom right. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

The image shows three round cookies on a white plate, each covered with red, green, and white sprinkles. The cookies are soft and light yellow in color, with one cookie placed on top of another, broken in half to show the soft inside texture. The sprinkles are spread evenly all over the top and around the edges of each cookie. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

Flat lay of a small box of yellow cake mix partially opened showing the dry mix inside, a small white ceramic bowl with softened pale yellow butter, a small white bowl with creamy white cream cheese, one whole uncracked brown egg, a small white bowl holding clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl filled with fine white powdered sugar, a small white bowl of colorful holiday sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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

Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I use other cake mix flavors for this recipe?

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.

How do I keep the cookies soft and gooey?

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.

Can I freeze these cookies?

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.

Do I really need to chill the dough?

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!