If you’re searching for a holiday treat that combines buttery richness with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, the Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These delightful cookies are soft, sweet, and topped with festive sprinkles that add a joyful crunch, perfect for sharing with family and friends around the holidays. The magic lies in their simplicity and that irresistible ooey gooey center that makes every bite a celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients might sound simple, but each one plays an important role in creating the perfect cookie. From the creamy texture brought by cream cheese and butter, to the light sweetness of yellow cake mix, every element works in harmony to give you that signature ooey gooey bite.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Provides the rich, buttery flavor and helps create a tender crumb.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened): Adds moisture and a slight tang that balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Large egg (1): Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the cookie’s soft texture.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses the dough with a warm, aromatic flavor that enhances every bite.
- Yellow cake mix (1 box, 15.25 ounces): The base of the dough, providing sweetness, structure, and that familiar cake-like softness.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): For coating the dough balls, creating a sweet crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft center.
- Red and green sprinkles: A festive, crunchy contrast that adds holiday cheer and vibrant color.
How to Make Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream butter and cream cheese
Begin by beating together the softened unsalted butter and cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This step is crucial because it blends the fats evenly to form the perfect base for your cookies’ tender texture.
Step 2: Add egg and vanilla
Next, mix in the large egg and vanilla extract until everything is fully incorporated. This combination adds moisture, richness, and aromatic depth that you’ll notice with every bite.
Step 3: Combine with cake mix to form dough
Gradually stir in the yellow cake mix until a thick dough forms. The cake mix is the secret behind the “ooey gooey” consistency as it brings sweetness and a soft cakey element to these cookies.
Step 4: Chill the dough
Wrap the dough and refrigerate it for at least one hour. This resting period allows the dough to firm up, making it easier to handle and preventing your cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Step 5: Prepare for baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lining the sheet helps your cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking.
Step 6: Shape and coat cookies
Roll the chilled dough into tablespoon-sized balls and then roll each ball in powdered sugar for that delicate, sweet crust. This coating is essential to giving your cookies their classic look and subtle texture contrast.
Step 7: Decorate with sprinkles
Place the sugar-coated dough balls spaced about two inches apart on your baking sheet. Press a few red and green sprinkles gently into the top of each ball to add a festive pop of color and just a hint of crunch.
Step 8: Bake to perfection
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, watching for set edges with soft, gooey centers. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet briefly before transferring them to a wire rack. Cooling this way helps preserve their signature ooey gooey texture.
How to Serve Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your cookies by adding an extra sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving for a snowy effect, or drizzle a bit of white chocolate for an extra sweet touch that pairs wonderfully with the festive sprinkles.
Side Dishes
Pair these soft cookies with a warm mug of spiced hot cocoa or a cup of freshly brewed coffee to complement their buttery sweetness. They also sit beautifully alongside holiday fruitcakes or cranberry tarts to round out a festive dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe on a pretty holiday platter or arrange them in a festive tin tied with a bright ribbon if gifting. You can also sandwich two cookies together with cream cheese frosting for an indulgent twist that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They stay soft and flavorful, making them perfect for enjoying with your afternoon coffee or a quick holiday treat.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a sealed freezer-safe container for up to three months. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. When you’re ready to enjoy, gently thaw at room temperature for a few hours.
Reheating
To refresh the ooey gooey texture, warm cookies in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This brings back their soft, melt-in-your-mouth quality as if freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix for this recipe?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix is traditional and gives the cookies their signature buttery flavor, you could experiment with vanilla or even spice cake mixes. Just know that the flavor and color may vary slightly.
Why do the cookies need to be chilled before baking?
Chilling the dough firms it up, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also helps develop flavors and results in a thicker, gooier center.
Can I make these cookies without cream cheese?
Cream cheese is key to achieving the ooey gooey texture almost like a soft cheesecake cookie. Leaving it out will change the texture significantly, making them more like traditional cookies.
How do I make these cookies extra festive?
Adding red and green sprinkles is a simple but effective way to bring holiday cheer. You might also consider drizzling melted white or dark chocolate or adding edible glitter for that extra sparkle.
Are these cookies suitable for freezing before baking?
Yes! You can freeze the shaped and sugar-coated dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Bake them frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Final Thoughts
Sharing this Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe feels like handing over a little piece of joy wrapped in buttery, sweet goodness. They’re incredibly simple to make but irresistibly delicious — perfect for your holiday baking lineup or a thoughtful gift. I can’t wait for you to try them and see how these cookies create warm memories in your home, just as they have in mine.
Print
Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are soft, buttery, and decadently rich with a delightful cream cheese base and festive sprinkles. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they combine a simple cake mix with cream cheese and butter to create an irresistibly gooey texture that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
- 1 cup powdered sugar
For Decoration
- Red and green sprinkles (for decorating)
Instructions
- Mix Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter and cream cheese mixture, mixing thoroughly until well combined.
- Add Cake Mix: Gradually add the yellow cake mix to the wet ingredients and mix until a thick dough forms, scraping the bowl as needed to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm enough to handle to help the cookies retain their shape while baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Form Dough Balls: Roll tablespoon-sized portions of the chilled dough into balls, then roll each ball thoroughly in powdered sugar to coat evenly.
- Decorate Cookies: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Press a few red and green sprinkles lightly onto the top of each ball for a festive touch.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft and gooey. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent spreading and maintain the gooey texture.
- Use powder sugar generously to get the signature cracked sugar coating on the outside of the cookies.
- These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature after cooling completely for the perfect soft and gooey bite.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- For a stronger vanilla flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract.
