Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a delightful addition to any holiday gathering. With their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive sprinkles, they stand out as a crowd-pleaser. Perfect for cookie exchanges or family celebrations, these cookies are simple to make and offer a unique twist on the traditional cookie recipe. Everyone will love the rich flavor and gooeyness that come from using cream cheese!

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Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Tools and Preparation
• Essential Tools and Equipment
• Importance of Each Tool
• Ingredients
• Dairy Products
• Baking Essentials
• Fun Additions
• How to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
• Step 1: Preheat the Oven
• Step 2: Prepare the Dough
• Step 3: Mix in Cake Mix
• Step 4: Add Sprinkles
• Step 5: Chill the Dough
• Step 6: Form Cookies
• Step 7: Bake
• Step 8: Cool Before Serving
• How to Serve Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
• Cookie Platter
• Milk Pairing
• Gift Boxes
• Ice Cream Sandwiches
• Hot Cocoa Dip
• How to Perfect Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
• Best Side Dishes for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Storage & Reheating Instructions
• Refrigerator Storage
• Freezing Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
• Reheating Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Can I use a different cake mix?
• How do I make these cookies gluten-free?
• How long do these cookies last?
• Can I add different types of sprinkles?
• What makes these cookies gooey?
• Final Thoughts
• 📖 Recipe Card

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make: The simple ingredients and steps ensure that even novice bakers can create delicious cookies.
• Festive Appearance: Bright holiday sprinkles add a cheerful touch, making them perfect for any celebration.
• Soft Texture: Cream cheese gives these cookies an irresistibly soft and gooey center that melts in your mouth.
• Versatile Flavor: The yellow cake mix base allows for variations in flavor by adding different mix-ins or extracts.
• Perfect for Sharing: Ideal for cookie exchanges or holiday parties, these cookies are sure to impress friends and family.

Tools and Preparation

Before you begin baking your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies, make sure to gather all necessary tools. Having the right equipment makes the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Electric mixer
• Mixing bowl
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Cookie scoop

Importance of Each Tool

• Electric mixer: This tool helps achieve a smooth batter quickly, ensuring everything is well blended without much effort.
• Mixing bowl: A large bowl is essential for combining ingredients without spills or mess.
• Baking sheets: These provide a sturdy surface for baking multiple cookies at once while ensuring even heat distribution.

Ingredients

For these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies, you’ll need the following:

Dairy Products

• 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

Baking Essentials

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix

Fun Additions

• ½ cup holiday sprinkles
• ½ cup powdered sugar

How to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 3: Mix in Cake Mix

Stir in the yellow cake mix until a thick dough forms.

Step 4: Add Sprinkles

Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles with a spatula. Be careful not to overmix; this prevents color bleeding from the sprinkles.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. This step makes it easier to handle when forming cookie balls.

Step 6: Form Cookies

Scoop the chilled dough into 1½-inch balls. Roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated.

Step 7: Bake

Place the dough balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.

Step 8: Cool Before Serving

Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

With these instructions, you’ll be on your way to creating delicious Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies that everyone will love! Enjoy your festive baking!

How to Serve Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

These delightful Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are perfect for any festive occasion. They can be served in a variety of ways to enhance your holiday gatherings.

Cookie Platter

• Arrange the cookies on a beautiful platter with other holiday treats for a stunning dessert table.

Milk Pairing

• Serve these cookies alongside a glass of cold milk for a classic combination that everyone loves.

Gift Boxes

• Package the cookies in decorative boxes to give as thoughtful homemade gifts to friends and family.

Ice Cream Sandwiches

• Sandwich a scoop of your favorite ice cream between two cookies for an indulgent treat.

Hot Cocoa Dip

• Pair these cookies with a warm mug of hot cocoa for a cozy winter dessert experience.

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How to Perfect Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

To achieve the best results with your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies, follow these simple tips.

• Chill the Dough: Chilling the cookie dough makes it easier to handle and helps prevent spreading during baking.
• Use Fresh Ingredients: Ensure your cream cheese and butter are fresh for optimal flavor and texture.
• Don’t Overmix: Gently fold in the sprinkles to maintain their vibrant colors without bleeding into the dough.
• Monitor Baking Time: Keep an eye on the cookies while they bake; they should have set edges but soft centers for that gooey texture.
• Cool Properly: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring them to avoid breakage.

Best Side Dishes for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Serving side dishes alongside these cookies can elevate your holiday feast. Here are some great options:

1. Festive Fruit Salad – A mix of seasonal fruits adds freshness and balance to sweet cookies.
2. Peppermint Bark – This chocolatey treat complements the flavors of gooey butter cookies and adds a crunchy texture.
3. Cheese Platter – A variety of cheeses paired with crackers offers a savory contrast to the sweetness of the cookies.
4. Spiced Nuts – Roasted nuts seasoned with holiday spices provide a crunchy, savory bite alongside the soft cookies.
5. Chocolate Fondue – Dip cookie halves in warm chocolate for an extra indulgent experience.
6. Mulled Wine – The warmth and spices of mulled wine pair perfectly with sweet holiday treats, creating a cozy atmosphere.
7. Mini Cheesecakes – Individual cheesecakes add richness and variety, complementing the lightness of gooey butter cookies.
8. Gingerbread Men – Classic gingerbread adds traditional holiday flavors and enhances your dessert spread.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Baking Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies can be a joy, but there are common mistakes that can ruin your experience. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:

• Using cold ingredients: Always ensure your cream cheese and butter are softened. Cold ingredients can lead to a lumpy dough and affect the texture of your cookies.
• Overmixing the dough: When adding sprinkles, mix gently. Overmixing can cause the colors to bleed and affect the appearance of your cookies.
• Skipping the chilling step: Chilling the dough makes it easier to handle and helps prevent spreading during baking. Don’t rush this important step!
• Not measuring accurately: Use proper measuring cups for both dry and wet ingredients. Inaccurate measurements can lead to dry or overly gooey cookies.
• Ignoring oven temperature: Make sure your oven is preheated correctly. An incorrect temperature can result in uneven baking and affect the final texture.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
• They will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

Freezing Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

• Place cookies in a single layer in an airtight container or freezer bag.
• These cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F, place cookies on a baking sheet for about 5 minutes until warm.
• Microwave: Heat individual cookies for about 10-15 seconds until just warm, being careful not to overheat.
• Stovetop: Use a pan over low heat, placing a lid on top. Heat for a few minutes until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies:

Can I use a different cake mix?

You can substitute any flavor of cake mix you like! Chocolate or red velvet could make fun variations of these cookies.

How do I make these cookies gluten-free?

To make gluten-free Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies, simply use a gluten-free yellow cake mix instead of regular cake mix.

How long do these cookies last?

When stored properly, these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies last up to 3 days at room temperature or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Can I add different types of sprinkles?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different types or colors of sprinkles to match your holiday theme.

What makes these cookies gooey?

The combination of cream cheese and butter gives these cookies their signature gooey texture.

Final Thoughts

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are not only festive but also incredibly simple to make. Their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture is perfect for any holiday gathering. You can customize them with various sprinkles or even add chocolate chips for extra flavor. Give this recipe a try, and enjoy the delight it brings to your holiday celebrations!