Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

By Lily | Last modified on Dec 21, 2025

Featured in: Desserts

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that combines the rich, creamy texture of butter and cream cheese with the sweet softness of cake mix. These cookies are known for their melt-in-your-mouth quality, making them an instant favorite at any festive gathering.

Perfectly decorated with sprinkles and coated in a dusting of confectioner’s sugar, these easy-to-make cookies offer both a nostalgic feel and a fun, colorful appearance that brightens up any cookie tray during the holiday season.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The uniquegooey texture gives these cookies a rich, soft bite unlike traditional holiday cookies.
Using cake mix simplifies the process, saving time without sacrificing flavor.
Vibrant sprinkles add festive cheer, making them perfect for holiday celebrations and gift-giving.

Ingredients

Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup): Softened butter provides a rich and creamy base that contributes to the cookie’s signature gooey texture.
Cream Cheese (8 oz., softened): Adds moisture and tang for softness and balance to the sweetness in the dough.
Egg (1 large): Helps bind the dough ingredients and adds structure to the final cookies.
Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances flavor with warm, aromatic notes that complement the cake mix sweetness.
White Cake Mix (1 package): The foundation for the cookie dough, offering a soft, fluffy base with a mild vanilla flavor.
Sprinkles (1/2 cup, divided): Half mixed into the dough for fun bursts of color, half for decorating the outsides and tops.
Confectioner’s Sugar (1/2 cup): Used to coat the cookies, providing a sweet, delicate finish and a snowy appearance.

Instructions

Cream Butter and Cream Cheese: Begin by beating the softened butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. This step ensures the base is uniform and helps create that gooey texture once baked.
Add Egg and Vanilla Extract: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, mixing just until combined. This addition adds moisture and flavor, and the vanilla intensifies the sweetness of the dough.
Mix in Cake Mix: Gradually add the white cake mix to the wet ingredients while beating until the dough forms. This creates a soft, structured dough that holds together well and bakes into tender cookies.
Fold in Sprinkles: Carefully stir in 1/4 cup of the sprinkles into the dough. These add colorful bursts and a festive touch inside the cookies, making each bite visually appealing as well as tasty.
Refrigerate the Dough: Cover and chill the dough for at least one hour or overnight. Refrigerating firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Set the oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper. Preparing your baking surface ensures the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
Form Cookie Balls: Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and roll each into approximately 1-inch balls. This consistent sizing helps cookies bake uniformly for perfect texture throughout.
Decorate and Coat Cookies: Sprinkle the tops of each dough ball with the remaining sprinkles, then roll them in confectioner’s sugar until fully coated. This step gives the cookies a festive look and a sweet outer layer.
Arrange and Bake Cookies: Place the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges just start to set, keeping the centers soft and gooey.
Cool Cookies Properly: Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes after baking to firm up slightly, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage and allows the final texture to set perfectly.

You Must Know

Refrigerating the dough is essential for shaping and prevents excessive spreading in the oven.
Baking times can vary — watch cookies closely starting at 8 minutes to avoid overbaking, which can harden the centers.
Using softened butter and cream cheese ensures easier mixing and smooth dough consistency.

Storage Tips

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer freshness, you can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking or freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies with a warm cup of hot chocolate or spiced tea to enhance the festive atmosphere. They also make lovely additions to holiday cookie platters or gift tins.

Professional Tips

For a holiday twist, try adding peppermint extract instead of vanilla for a refreshing flavor.
Use different colored sprinkles to match various holiday themes or seasons.
If the dough becomes too soft when handling, chill it longer or briefly freeze before shaping.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?: Yes! Yellow or vanilla cake mix works well too. Avoid mixes with cinnamon or other spices to maintain the classic taste.
Do I have to use cream cheese?: Cream cheese is key to the gooey texture and tangy flavor, so it is highly recommended for best results.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?: Use a gluten-free white cake mix and confirm all other ingredients are gluten-free to safely make these for gluten-sensitive diets.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?: Refrigerating the dough thoroughly before baking and measuring dough balls evenly helps control spreading.
Can I substitute sprinkles with nuts or chocolate chips?: Yes, you can add mini chocolate chips or finely chopped nuts for variation, though sprinkles keep the cookie festive and colorful.
What’s the best way to store leftover cookies?: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days or freeze for longer storage.