These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies capture pure holiday bliss. They are wonderfully soft treats with such a rich flavor. I find that using a simple cake mix makes holiday baking so much less stressful. Everyone adores the tender texture of these Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies. I often make a batch just to enjoy the sweet anticipation of Christmas morning. They store beautifully, too. Plus, they vanish quickly from cookie platters every single year.
Why I Love This Recipe
I adore this simple cookie creation. It cuts down on mixing time significantly. The result is always perfectly soft and decadent. These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies impress my family easily. They require very little fuss. That speed is perfect for my hectic schedule.
Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Ingredients
The magic in these Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies happens so fast. It is truly a delightful combination of simple pantry staples. We start with the yellow cake mix, which provides structure and instant sweetness. Next, cream cheese brings that signature, slightly tangy richness. The melted butter ensures everything stays incredibly moist. The egg acts as our binding agent. Vanilla extract deepens the overall sweet flavor profile. We use powdered sugar for a lovely, snowy coating, making them very festive. If time allows, a little food coloring creates vibrant red and green holiday colors.
Core Components and Their Purpose
- Yellow Cake Mix: Provides the quick base foundation and sweetness.
- Cream Cheese: Adds moisture, fat, and that famous slight tang.
- Unsalted Butter: Ensures a wonderfully rich and tender final texture.
- Egg: Binds all the soft ingredients together into a workable dough.
- Vanilla Extract: Offers necessary aromatic depth to the simple flavors.
- Powdered Sugar: Used for rolling, creating the cracked, sweet outer shell.
Substitutions and Tips
You can swap the yellow mix for white cake mix if you prefer a lighter look. For a flavor boost, try adding a small pinch of almond extract with the vanilla. Storing the dough balls in the fridge for fifteen minutes helps prevent spreading. This makes rolling them in sugar much less messy. Remember, exact measurements live on the recipe card below.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Electric Mixer: Essential for smooth dough blending.
- Parchment Paper: Keeps cleanup a breeze on your baking sheets.
- Shallow Bowl: Perfect for efficiently coating the cookie dough balls.
- Cookie Scoop or Spoon: Helps create uniform 1-inch cookie portions.
How to Make Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies
Preparing Your Oven and Pans
First, get your oven nice and hot to 350°F. Line your baking sheets well with parchment paper. Parchment is a busy baker’s best friend, trust me. This step prevents sticking later on.
Mixing the Soft Cookie Dough Base
Grab a large mixing bowl right away. Add your cake mix and softened cream cheese. Pour in the melted butter next. Toss in the egg plus the vanilla extract. Beat everything well with your electric mixer. Keep mixing until a soft, sticky dough forms. Do not worry about stickiness; that is normal here.
Adding Festive Color (Optional Step)
If you want a truly festive look, divide this sticky dough. Color one half red and the other half green. Use just a drop or two of food coloring. Knead it gently until the color spreads evenly.
Coating the Cookie Balls
Pour your powdered sugar into a shallow dish. Scoop small spoonfuls of the cookie base. Roll these portions into one-inch balls. Really coat each ball generously in the sugar. Make sure the white sugar completely covers the dough.
Baking for the Perfect Gooey Center
Set the coated balls two inches apart on your prepared sheets. Bake them for ten to twelve minutes only. Watch the edges for light golden color. The center must look soft still. Do not let them bake too long; that ruins the “gooey” part!
Finishing Touches and Cooling
Remove the baking sheets from the hot oven quickly. If using sprinkles, gently press a few onto the top now. Give them a few minutes on the hot sheet. Then, transfer them very gently to a wire rack. They firm up as they cool down slowly.
How to Store Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies
These treats store easily for several days. Keep your Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies in an airtight container. Room temperature storage works perfectly fine for up to four days. If you need them to last longer, consider freezing them. Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag first. They freeze well for about two months. Thaw them slowly on the counter when you want a sweet bite.
Tips for Success
- Do Not Overbake Ever: This is the golden rule for gooiness.
- Dough Temperature Matters: Softened cream cheese blends far better.
- Generous Sugar Coat: A thick layer helps create beautiful cracks.
- Cooling Space: Use a wire rack for even temperature loss.
- Uniform Scoops: Use a small cookie scoop for consistent baking times.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve alongside a tall glass of cold milk.
- Pair them with strong black coffee for contrast.
- Arrange them on tiered trays for holiday gatherings.
- Offer small cups of hot chocolate for dipping.
Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: About 27 minutes
- Yield: Varies based on size, typically 2-3 dozen
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are festive, soft, and wonderfully rich holiday treats made easily from a cake mix base.
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
- Optional: Red and green food coloring, Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, softened cream cheese, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer until well combined and a soft, sticky dough forms.
- If desired, divide the dough in half and color one half red and the other green with food coloring.
- Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.
- Roll spoonfuls of dough into 1-inch balls. Generously roll each ball in the powdered sugar to coat completely.
- Place the coated cookie balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are still soft and slightly gooey (do not overbake).
- Remove from oven and immediately, if desired, press a few Christmas sprinkles into the top of each cookie.
- Let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The centers will firm up as they cool.
Notes
- Do not overbake to ensure the centers remain gooey.
- The centers will firm up as the cookies cool completely.
- Optional food coloring allows for festive red and green cookies.
