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
Scale
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.
