Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats with beautiful crackled tops and a generous coating of powdered sugar. Made with cake mix, cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla, these festive cookies are wonderfully easy to prepare and perfect for holiday baking.
Red and green sprinkles add a cheerful Christmas touch, while the creamy dough creates a tender center that stays deliciously soft. Whether you are preparing a Christmas cookie tray, baking with family, or making homemade gifts for friends and neighbors, these gooey butter cookies are sure to become a seasonal favorite.
The best part is that you do not need complicated ingredients or special baking equipment. With a little chilling time and a few simple steps, you can make a batch of bakery-style Christmas cookies right in your own kitchen.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
- Soft and tender centers: Cream cheese and butter create a rich texture that makes every bite wonderfully soft.
- Simple ingredients: A box of cake mix makes preparation quick and convenient.
- Festive appearance: Powdered sugar creates snowy, crackled tops, while red and green sprinkles add holiday color.
- Beginner-friendly: You do not need to roll out dough or use cookie cutters.
- Perfect for sharing: These cookies are ideal for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, dessert trays, and homemade gifts.
- Easy to customize: Use different cake mix flavors, sprinkles, or food coloring to create your own variation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cookies
- 1 box (about 15.25 ounces) yellow, butter, or white cake mix: This provides the base flavor and makes the recipe easy to prepare. Yellow and butter cake mixes give the cookies a rich taste, while white cake mix creates a lighter color.
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened: Full-fat block cream cheese works best for a smooth dough and a tender, rich texture.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Butter adds richness and helps create the signature gooey texture. Use softened butter rather than melted butter.
- 1 large egg, at room temperature: The egg helps bind the ingredients and gives the cookies structure.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Vanilla enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.
For Decorating and Rolling
- 1/3 cup red and green sprinkles, optional: These add festive color to the cookies.
- Red and green gel food coloring, optional: Use a few drops to create colorful marbled swirls.
- About 1 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting: The powdered sugar coating creates the classic snowy appearance and crackled finish.
How to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Place the softened butter and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. Beat them together for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until everything is well combined.
Add the cake mix and mix on low speed just until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Avoid overmixing, as this can affect the final texture.
If you are using red and green sprinkles, gently fold them into the dough.
Step 2: Add Optional Christmas Colors
For a colorful holiday variation, divide a small portion of the dough between two small bowls.
Tint one portion red and the other green using a few drops of gel food coloring. Add small amounts of the colored dough to the plain dough and gently fold two or three times.
Do not mix completely. Keeping the colors partially separate creates attractive red and green swirls throughout the cookies.
You can skip this step if you prefer classic white powdered sugar cookies with festive sprinkles.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Cover the mixing bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour, or until it is firm enough to scoop and roll.
Chilling is important because the dough is naturally soft and sticky. It also helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
If the dough still feels too soft after an hour, refrigerate it a little longer.
Step 4: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line baking sheets with parchment paper to help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl so it is ready for coating the dough balls.
Step 5: Shape and Coat the Cookies
Scoop rounded tablespoons of chilled dough and roll each portion gently between your palms to form a ball.
Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar, making sure the entire surface is covered.
For an especially snowy finish, let the coated balls sit for a minute and roll them in powdered sugar a second time.
Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving approximately 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.
Step 6: Bake Until Soft
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set while the centers still look soft and pale.
Do not wait for the cookies to become deeply golden. They should remain light in color to preserve their tender, gooey texture.
The cookies will continue to set as they cool, so avoid overbaking them.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies rest for about 5 minutes.
Carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, dust the cookies with additional powdered sugar if desired. Arrange them on a serving plate or add them to your favorite Christmas cookie tray.
Expert Tips for the Best Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Use softened, not melted, butter. Butter should be soft enough to blend easily but should not look oily or liquid. Melted butter can make the dough too loose and cause the cookies to spread excessively.
Choose block cream cheese. Full-fat cream cheese from a block gives the dough a more reliable consistency than whipped or spreadable cream cheese.
Do not skip chilling. Refrigerating the dough makes it easier to handle and helps the cookies bake into thicker, softer rounds.
Coat generously with powdered sugar. A thick coating helps create the signature crackled appearance. Rolling the dough balls twice can make the white finish more noticeable.
Use a cookie scoop. Uniform portions help the cookies bake evenly and make the finished batch look consistent.
Watch the baking time carefully. The centers should still appear soft when the cookies come out of the oven. Overbaking can make them dry or cake-like.
Bake on cool baking sheets. Allow baking sheets to cool between batches. Placing dough on a hot sheet can cause the cookies to spread too quickly.
Avoid eating raw dough. Cake mix contains flour that has not been treated to make it safe to eat raw. Wait until the cookies are baked before tasting them.
Variations to Try
Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cookies
Replace the yellow or white cake mix with red velvet cake mix. The vibrant color creates a beautiful contrast with the powdered sugar coating.
Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies
Use chocolate cake mix for a rich chocolate version. The powdered sugar creates an attractive snowy finish that looks especially festive on a Christmas dessert tray.
Peppermint Christmas Cookies
Add a small amount of peppermint extract to the dough and use crushed peppermint candies or red-and-white sprinkles for a holiday-inspired flavor.
Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies
Use lemon cake mix for a bright, citrusy variation. A little finely grated lemon zest can add extra freshness.
Classic White Christmas Cookies
Choose white cake mix and leave out the food coloring. Use red and green sprinkles for a simple, traditional Christmas appearance.
Festive Marbled Cookies
Divide a small amount of dough into red and green portions, then fold them gently into the plain dough. The result is a colorful marbled effect without completely changing the cookie’s buttery flavor.
What to Serve With Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
These cookies pair beautifully with a variety of holiday drinks and desserts.
- Hot chocolate: The rich chocolate flavor complements the buttery sweetness of the cookies.
- Coffee: A cup of coffee balances the sweetness and makes these cookies a lovely afternoon treat.
- Milk: A classic choice for children and adults alike.
- Eggnog: Serve them alongside a glass of chilled eggnog for a traditional holiday combination.
- Christmas dessert trays: Arrange them with sugar cookies, brownies, chocolate treats, and other festive favorites.
They also make wonderful homemade gifts. Place cooled cookies in a decorative tin or food-safe gift box lined with parchment paper for a simple and thoughtful holiday present.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions
Making the Dough Ahead
You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it in a covered container for up to 3 days. When you are ready to bake, scoop and roll the chilled dough in powdered sugar before placing it in the oven.
If the dough becomes very firm, let it sit briefly at room temperature until it is easy to scoop.
Freezing Unbaked Dough
For longer storage, shape the dough into balls and freeze them without the powdered sugar coating for up to 3 months.
When ready to bake, thaw the dough balls in the refrigerator, then roll them generously in powdered sugar and bake according to the recipe instructions. Check for doneness, as chilled or partially frozen dough may require a little additional baking time.
Freezing Baked Cookies
Allow the baked cookies to cool completely before freezing. Store them in an airtight, freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers to help prevent sticking.
Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw the cookies at room temperature and add a fresh dusting of powdered sugar if needed.
How to Store Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Because these cookies contain cream cheese, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
For the best texture, let refrigerated cookies sit at room temperature briefly before serving. If you prefer them slightly warm, microwave an individual cookie for approximately 8 seconds, checking carefully so it does not become too hot.
The powdered sugar coating may absorb some moisture during storage. A light dusting of fresh powdered sugar before serving can help restore their snowy appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Christmas gooey butter cookies spread too much?
The butter may have been too soft, or the dough may not have been chilled long enough. Make sure the butter is softened rather than melted and refrigerate the dough until it feels firm. Also, use a cool baking sheet for each batch.
Why did the powdered sugar disappear?
Powdered sugar can absorb moisture from warm cookies or humid air. Coat the dough balls generously before baking, consider rolling them twice, and add a fresh dusting after the cookies have cooled.
Which cake mix is best for gooey butter cookies?
Yellow and butter cake mixes provide a rich, buttery flavor. White cake mix is a good option when you want red and green decorations to stand out. You can also experiment with chocolate, red velvet, or lemon cake mix.
Can I make these cookies without sprinkles?
Yes. The sprinkles are optional and do not need to be included in the dough. The cookies will still have a soft texture and a snowy powdered sugar coating.
Can I skip chilling the dough?
Chilling is strongly recommended because the dough is soft and sticky. Skipping this step may make the dough difficult to shape and can cause the cookies to spread more during baking.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
This recipe makes approximately 30 cookies when using rounded tablespoons of dough. The final yield depends on the size of each cookie.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The edges should be set, while the centers remain soft and pale. They may look slightly underdone when removed from the oven, but they will continue to firm up as they cool.
Can I prepare these cookies for a Christmas cookie exchange?
Absolutely. They are easy to portion, attractive on a dessert tray, and convenient to make ahead. Allow them to cool completely before packing them in a container, and keep them refrigerated for storage because they contain cream cheese.
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: About 30 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 1 box (about 15.25 ounces) yellow, butter, or white cake mix
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For decorating and rolling:
- 1/3 cup red and green sprinkles, optional
- Red and green gel food coloring, optional
- About 1 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
Instructions
- Beat the softened butter and cream cheese in a large bowl for about 2 minutes, until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
- Add the cake mix and mix on low speed just until incorporated. Fold in the sprinkles, if using.
- For optional festive swirls, tint small portions of dough red and green, then gently fold them into the plain dough two or three times.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to scoop.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and roll them into balls. Coat each ball generously in powdered sugar.
- Arrange the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers remain soft and pale.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Once completely cool, dust with additional powdered sugar if desired and serve.
Notes
- Use block cream cheese and softened butter, not melted butter.
- If the dough is too sticky to handle, refrigerate it for longer.
- Roll the dough balls in powdered sugar twice for a thicker, more visible coating.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze uncoated dough balls or fully cooled baked cookies for up to 3 months for best quality.
Final Thoughts
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a wonderful addition to any holiday baking tradition. Their soft centers, buttery flavor, snowy powdered sugar coating, and cheerful festive colors make them as appealing to look at as they are to eat.
With simple ingredients and an easy preparation method, they are a great choice for beginner bakers, busy holiday schedules, and family baking days. Make a batch for your Christmas dessert table, share them with friends, or package them as homemade gifts. These tender cookies are a sweet way to bring a little extra joy to the holiday season.