As I gathered with friends around the twinkling lights of our holiday gathering, the aroma of freshly baked goodies wafted through the air, igniting memories of my favorite festive treats. That’s when I decided to whip up a batch of Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies, a delightful twist on the classic gooey butter cake that’s become a staple in my holiday baking repertoire. These cookies are not only irresistibly soft and chewy, but they’re also a breeze to prepare, making them a perfect addition to any cookie exchange or cozy gathering. With the rich cream cheese and simple cake mix as their foundation, they beckon with a soft sweetness that’s complemented by colorful holiday sprinkles. Are you ready to fill your home with the spirit of the season and create a treat that everyone will love? Let’s dive into this festive recipe!
Why are Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies a must?
Irresistible Softness: The secret to their melt-in-your-mouth texture lies in the combination of cream cheese and cake mix, making each bite a delightful experience.
Quick to Prepare: With just a few simple steps, you’ll have homemade cookies that are perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy evenings at home.
Festive Fun: The vibrant holiday sprinkles not only add visual appeal but also bring a dash of cheer to your cookie platter.
Versatile Variations: Feel free to switch things up! Add mini chocolate chips for a delightful twist or crushed candy canes for a refreshing mint flavor.
These cookies are bound to impress guests, just like other festive treats such as Christmas Toffee Indulge or Twisted Christmas Cookies. Happy baking!
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Ingredients
Get ready to bake some delightful Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies!
For the Cookie Dough
• Full-Fat Cream Cheese – Enhances richness and creates a soft texture; block-style is best.
• Unsalted Butter – Adds moisture and richness; make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
• Large Egg – Binds ingredients together for the perfect cookie structure.
• Vanilla Extract – Deepens flavor; swap for almond or peppermint extract for a festive twist.
• Yellow Cake Mix – Acts as a quick and easy cookie base; consider vanilla or white cake mix as substitutes.
For the Finishing Touch
• Holiday Sprinkles – Brightens up your cookies; they’re optional but recommended for a festive look.
• Powdered Sugar – Rolls the cookie dough for a snowy, sweet finish, enhancing the Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies experience.
Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven warms up, line two baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring an easy release for your cookies. This initial preparation sets the stage for your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies, making the baking process smooth and efficient.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened full-fat cream cheese and unsalted butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the large egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until everything is fully incorporated. This creates a rich base full of flavor, essential for your cookies’ delightful texture.
Step 3: Mix in the Cake Mix
Gradually stir in the yellow cake mix, combining the ingredients until a thick dough forms. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to ensure no dry mix is visible. This step is where the magic happens, transforming your creamy mixture into the base of your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies.
Step 4: Fold in the Sprinkles
Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles with a spatula, taking care not to overmix. The colorful sprinkles add a festive touch to your cookie dough. This step not only enhances the visual appeal but also infuses your cookies with a bit of holiday cheer.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and ensuring your cookies maintain their shape while baking. This essential step guarantees that your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies will be perfectly chewy.
Step 6: Prepare for Baking
Once chilled, remove the dough from the refrigerator and scoop out 1½-inch balls of dough. Roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated for that snowy effect. This sugary finish is a hallmark of the Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies, promising a delightful sweetness in every bite.
Step 7: Arrange on Baking Sheets
Place the rolled cookie dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking. This spacing is crucial to avoid the cookies merging together, ensuring each one comes out perfectly formed.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Look for the edges to be set while the centers should remain slightly soft. This balance is key to achieving the gooey texture that makes Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies so irresistible.
Step 9: Cool and Transfer
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This allows them to firm up slightly, retaining their deliciously gooey centers. Cool completely for the best flavor and texture, letting your holiday creations shine.
Expert Tips for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
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Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to enhance its texture and make it easier to handle, ensuring perfectly chewy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies.
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Choose Cream Cheese Wisely: Use full-fat cream cheese for the best richness and texture; fat-free versions can lead to disappointing results.
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Consistent Cake Mix: Stick to a 15.25-ounce package of cake mix for consistent cookie yield. Swapping brands can change the outcome!
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Dough Ball Size: Roll dough into 1½-inch balls for even baking. Larger or smaller sizes can significantly alter cooking time and texture.
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Don’t Overbake: Remove cookies from the oven when the edges are set but centers are still soft. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool, resulting in that gooey goodness everyone loves!
What to Serve with Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Indulge in a delightful holiday experience by creating a cozy meal that perfectly complements these festive treats.
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Hot Cocoa: A rich mug of hot cocoa provides a warm, chocolatey contrast that enhances the sweetness of the cookies. Top it off with whipped cream for an extra decadent feel.
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Fresh Berries: Juicy berries, like raspberries or strawberries, add a refreshing tartness that balances the cookie’s sweetness. They also bring a burst of color to your festive dessert table.
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Vanilla Ice Cream: The creamy vanilla ice cream melts over warm cookies, creating a delightful gooey texture that will have everyone reaching for seconds. The pairing is delicious and visually tempting!
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Peppermint Mocha: For a festive twist, sip on a peppermint mocha, where the rich coffee and mint flavors enhance the holiday spirit and complement the cookies perfectly.
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Holiday Punch: A festive holiday punch, whether spiced or fruity, offers a fun, refreshing beverage to enjoy alongside your cookies, bringing warmth and cheer to your gathering.
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Cheesecake Bites: Mini cheesecake bites add a creamy, tangy contrast to the sweet richness of the cookies. Their bite-sized form makes them easy to enjoy at any holiday celebration.
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Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels: The salty crunch of chocolate-dipped pretzels makes for a delightful contrast, balancing the sweetness while adding some fun textures to your dessert spread.
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Mulled Wine: A warm glass of mulled wine, infused with spices and fruit, enhances the holiday atmosphere and pairs surprisingly well with the soft and chewy cookies.
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Festive Fruit Tart: A light, fruity tart refreshes the palate with vibrant flavors that complement the richness of the cookies, making it an elegant addition to your holiday table.
Make Ahead Options
These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a fantastic choice for meal prep during the bustling holiday season! You can prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance by mixing all the ingredients (excluding the powdered sugar for rolling). Store the dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness and prevent it from drying out. When you’re ready to bake, simply scoop the chilled dough into balls, roll them in powdered sugar, and bake as instructed. This way, you’ll have warm, freshly baked Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies ready to impress at a moment’s notice, saving you time while delivering delightful holiday sweetness!
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Variations
Feel free to sprinkle in your personality and taste with these delightful twists for your Christmas gooey butter cookies!
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Gluten-Free: Swap yellow cake mix with a gluten-free blend to make these treats accessible for everyone. They’ll still be soft and delicious!
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Chocolate Delight: Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for a rich, chocolatey flavor that complements the cream cheese perfectly. Just imagine running into those melty morsels!
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Minty Fresh: Toss in crushed candy canes for a festive minty flavor. The burst of mint will remind you of holiday traditions and, oh, how delightful they taste!
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Nutty Crunch: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans for added texture and warmth. The nuts mixed with the soft cookie will create a delightful contrast.
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Holiday Flavor Boost: Replace vanilla extract with almond or peppermint extract to give your cookies a unique flavor twist. These variations may just become your new holiday favorites!
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Colorful Appeal: For an even more festive look, add a few drops of red or green gel food coloring to the dough. Your cookies will look as cheerful as they taste!
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Coconut Bliss: Mix in sweetened shredded coconut for a tropical twist. The coconut will add a chewy texture and delightfully unexpected flavor.
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Double Chocolate: Use chocolate cake mix instead of yellow for a decadently rich cookie. These chocolate-loving variations will have everyone coming back for more!
These Christmas gooey butter cookies can adapt to any taste, just like you might enjoy them with a warm mug of hot cocoa or during a holiday gathering with friends. Looking for something equally festive? Check out Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk for another delightful treat that’s sure to charm your guests!
Storage Tips for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their soft and chewy texture.
Freezer: If you want to keep them longer, freeze the cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw before enjoying for the best taste.
Dough Storage: Scoop and freeze dough balls on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to an airtight container. Use within 3 months for fresh-baked cookies anytime.
Reheating: To enjoy warm cookies, pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This will revive the gooeyness of your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies perfectly!
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe FAQs
What type of cream cheese is best for this recipe?
Absolutely! For the best results in your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies, I highly recommend using full-fat cream cheese. Block-style is preferred as it creates a richer flavor and ensures the perfect soft texture. Avoid fat-free options, as they can alter the cookies’ consistency and overall taste.
How should I store leftover cookies?
Very simply! Store your cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you can’t finish them in that time, simply freeze the cookies! They will keep well for up to 3 months. Just remember to thaw them before enjoying for that freshly baked taste!
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Of course! You can scoop and shape the dough into 1½-inch balls and freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to an airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply thaw the dough in the fridge overnight before rolling in powdered sugar and baking!
Are there any dietary considerations I should keep in mind?
Absolutely! If you have gluten sensitivities, you can substitute the yellow cake mix with a gluten-free blend to enjoy these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies without worry. Additionally, always check for any specific allergies to ingredients like eggs and dairy if you’re baking for someone with dietary restrictions.
What should I do if my cookies spread too much while baking?
If your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies spread too much, don’t fret! This could be due to the dough being too warm. Ensure that you chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. If you find that your cookies still spread significantly, make sure your baking sheets are not greased, and consider using a little more cake mix for a thicker dough consistency.
Can I add mix-ins to the dough?
The more the merrier! Feel free to incorporate mini chocolate chips or crushed candy canes into your dough for a festive twist. Just fold them in gently after combining the cake mix, ensuring you don’t overmix to maintain that delicious gooey texture. Enjoy experimenting with your favorite mix-ins!
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies - Soft, Chewy Holiday Bliss
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the large egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until fully incorporated.
- Gradually stir in the yellow cake mix until a thick dough forms, ensuring no dry mix is visible.
- Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles with a spatula.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Scoop out 1½-inch balls of dough and roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
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