Festive Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe for Holiday Joy

Sweet memories of childhood holiday gatherings dance through my mind when I think about these irresistible christmas gooey butter cookies.

Powdered sugar sparkles like fresh snowflakes across their delicate surfaces.

Soft and pillowy textures promise pure comfort in every single bite.

Grandma’s secret recipe whispers memories of warm kitchen moments.

Comfort and joy blend seamlessly into these melt-in-your-mouth treats.

Missouri’s classic dessert brings festive cheer right to your plate.

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Versions

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace the cake mix with a gluten-free yellow cake mix and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free. Perfect for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Comfort: Swap butter and cream cheese with vegan alternatives like coconut oil and dairy-free cream cheese. Use a flax egg or commercial egg replacer to bind the dough. Ideal for plant-based diets.
• Keto-Friendly Option: Create a low-carb version using almond flour, cream cheese, and a sugar substitute like erythritol. Eliminate the powdered sugar coating and use a keto-friendly sweetener for rolling.
• Spiced Holiday Remix: Add warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to the dough for a festive flavor profile. Sprinkle crushed candy canes or holiday-themed sprinkles on top for extra cheer.

FAQs

• Is the batter supposed to be sticky?

Yes, the dough is naturally thick and sticky. Chilling it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes helps make it easier to handle and roll into balls.

• Can I use a different type of cake mix?

While the recipe is designed for vanilla cake mix, you could experiment with white or yellow cake mix for slightly different flavor profiles. Just ensure the mix is standard boxed cake mix.

• Why do I need to roll the cookies in powdered sugar?

Rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar creates a sweet, delicate coating and helps the cookies develop a beautiful crackled appearance when baked. The sugar also adds a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

Look for slightly golden edges and a soft center. The cookies will seem underbaked, but they’ll continue to set as they cool. Baking 8-10 minutes is typically perfect for achieving that signature gooey texture.

Gooey Butter Cookies That Feel Like A Hug

• Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: These Christmas cookies require just a few simple ingredients and basic mixing skills, making them perfect for bakers of all experience levels.
• Speedy Holiday Baking: From start to finish, you'll have delicious cookies ready in under an hour, leaving more time for holiday celebrations and family fun.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: The soft, gooey texture and powdered sugar coating create an irresistible treat that will delight both kids and adults at holiday gatherings, potlucks, and Christmas parties.
• Stress-Free Preparation: With no complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients, these cookies are a stress-free way to add a homemade touch to your holiday dessert spread.

Christmas Butter Cookie Dough Components

• Cake Mix: The foundation of the cookie, providing structure and flavor.
• Cream Cheese: Adds richness and creates a soft, tender texture.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps with cookie consistency.

• Egg: Helps bind ingredients and contributes to cookie structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic sweet flavor to the cookies.
• Almond Extract: Optional ingredient for an extra layer of aromatic flavor.

• Powdered Sugar: Gives a sweet coating and creates a beautiful snowlike appearance.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats: Essential for preventing cookies from sticking to baking sheets.

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies – How to Bake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven and Dress Baking Trays

Set your oven to roast at 350°F.

Elegantly line two baking trays with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Magic Cookie Mixture

• Cake mix
• Softened cream cheese
• Softened butter
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Blend everything until the mixture transforms into a smooth, tantalizing consistency.

Your dough will feel delightfully thick and somewhat sticky.

Step 3: Chill and Relax the Dough

Wrap your bowl lovingly with plastic wrap.

Let the dough rest and cool in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes.

This resting period helps make the dough more cooperative and easier to handle.

Step 4: Shape Delectable Cookie Rounds

After chilling, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough.

Roll each portion generously in powdered sugar, creating beautiful white-coated balls.

Arrange these sugary gems on your prepared baking trays, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Step 5: Bake to Gooey Perfection

Slide the trays into the oven and bake for 8–10 minutes.

Watch for slightly golden edges while keeping the centers wonderfully soft and gooey.

Step 6: Cool and Celebrate

Let the cookies rest on the baking trays for 5 minutes.

Then transfer them to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely before indulging in their delightful sweetness.

Cookie Tips With Gooey Christmas Touch

• Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and make rolling easier during cookie preparation.
• Expect a thick, sticky texture which is normal for this recipe – don't overmix or add extra flour.
• Roll cookies generously in powdered sugar before baking for a beautiful crackled exterior and sweet coating.
• Watch cookies carefully and remove from oven when edges are set but centers remain soft to maintain the signature gooey texture.
• Use room temperature cream cheese and butter for smooth, well-integrated dough that blends perfectly.

Butter Cookies Store Well for Holiday Sharing

• Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and soft. Place wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.
• Warm cookies briefly in a preheated 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore their gooey, soft center and bring back that fresh-baked taste.

Gooey Matches For Holiday Cookies

• Elevate Sweet Harmony: Pairing Delights for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
• Sip Spiced Chai Latte: The warm, aromatic spices like cinnamon and cardamom in chai perfectly complement the sweet, rich butter cookies. The creamy texture and subtle heat create a delightful contrast with the cookie's soft, gooey center.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: A cold scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream provides a luxurious counterpoint to the warm cookies. The smooth, cold cream melts against the sweet, buttery cookie, creating an indulgent dessert experience.
• Serve with Caramel Mocha Coffee: The deep, rich coffee blended with smooth caramel notes enhances the cookie's sweetness. The robust coffee cuts through the richness, while the caramel echoes the cookie's buttery undertones.
• Enjoy with Sparkling Moscato: This light, sweet white wine offers a bubbly refreshment that dances alongside the cookies. Its fruity, delicate flavor provides a elegant finish that doesn't overpower the cookie's delicate texture.

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive christmas gooey butter cookies melt hearts with their rich, sugary charm. Sweet holiday magic awaits when crumbly edges meet a silky center, promising delightful indulgence you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 (8 ounces / 226 grams) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Coating:

• 1/4 cup (30 grams) powdered sugar, for rolling

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
2. Create a luxurious dough by blending cake mix, cream cheese, butter, egg, vanilla, and optional almond extract until achieving a smooth, dense consistency that promises rich flavor and tender texture.
3. Enhance dough manageability by refrigerating for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and firm up for easier handling.
4. Transform chilled dough into delicate spheres, gently rolling each portion in powdered sugar to create a delicate, snow-kissed exterior that will caramelize beautifully during baking.
5. Position sugar-coated dough balls strategically on prepared sheets, ensuring sufficient spacing to prevent merging during the cooking process.
6. Bake cookies for 8–10 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges while maintaining a soft, gooey center that promises a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
7. Allow cookies to rest momentarily on baking sheets to stabilize their delicate structure before transferring to a cooling rack, completing the transformation from raw ingredients to decadent holiday treats.

Notes

• Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for smooth, lump-free mixing.
• Roll dough balls generously in powdered sugar for a beautiful crackled exterior and sweet coating.
• Refrigerating dough prevents excessive spreading and helps maintain cookie shape during baking.
• For gluten-free version, swap cake mix with gluten-free alternative and check ingredient compatibility.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg