Magical Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe for Holiday Joy

Soft, pillowy cookies often steal the spotlight during holiday gatherings, and this christmas gooey butter cookies recipe delivers pure festive magic.

Rich cream cheese melts into every delectable bite, creating an irresistible texture.

Powdered sugar dusts these delightful treats like a gentle winter snowfall.

Crisp edges give way to a tender, melt-in-your-mouth center that promises pure comfort.

These cookies bring warmth to any holiday table with their simple yet decadent charm.

Baking them fills your kitchen with an aroma that whispers sweet memories of seasonal joy.

You’ll find these cookies vanish faster than snowflakes on a warm mitten.

Festive Cream Cheese Cookies: What Sets Them Apart

• Whip Up Holiday Cheer: These festive cookies bring instant joy with their colorful sprinkles and sweet cream cheese base, perfect for spreading smiles during special celebrations.
• Quick and Foolproof Baking: Beginner bakers can nail this recipe easily, with simple mixing steps and basic ingredients that guarantee delicious results every single time.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Kids and adults alike will love the soft texture, sweet flavor, and playful appearance of these delightful cookies that work wonderfully for parties, gatherings, or casual family treats.
• Dress Up for Any Occasion: Whether you're hosting a birthday, holiday gathering, or just want a fun weekend baking project, these versatile cookies adapt perfectly to any event's mood and style.

Ingredients for Festive Cream Cheese Cookies

• Cream Cheese: Soft and smooth cheese that provides a rich, tangy flavor to the cookie base.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender cookie texture.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the cookie's structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its sweet, aromatic profile.

• Cake Mix: Serves as the primary dry ingredient that gives the cookies their distinctive texture and sweetness.
• Powdered Sugar: Used for coating the cookies, creating a sweet and decorative exterior.
• Sprinkles: Adds a festive and colorful touch to the cookies.

• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking to the baking sheet and ensures easy cleanup.

Directions for Cream Cheese Cookie Perfection

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F.

Grab your baking sheets and dress them up with parchment paper, creating a smooth, non-stick surface for your delightful treats.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Base

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Egg
• Vanilla extract

Blend everything together until the mixture becomes silky smooth and dreamy.

Step 3: Create the Magical Dough

Pour in the cake mix and stir until a thick, luscious dough emerges.

Gently sprinkle in colorful confetti-like sprinkles, folding them into the dough with care.

Step 4: Chill and Relax

Tuck your dough into the refrigerator for a cool 30-minute timeout.

This helps the flavors mingle and makes the dough easier to handle.

Step 5: Shape Your Cookies

Roll the chilled dough into adorable bite-sized balls.

Give each cookie a luxurious bath in powdered sugar, creating a delicate, sweet coating.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide your cookie sheet into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Look for slightly set edges while keeping the centers soft and tender.

Remove and let cool for a moment of anticipation before enjoying your festive treats.

Cream Cheese Cookie Baking Tips

• Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape during baking.
• Allow cream cheese and butter to reach room temperature for smoother, easier mixing and better texture.
• Fold sprinkles delicately to prevent color bleeding and maintain their vibrant appearance in the cookies.
• Roll cookies in powdered sugar just before baking for a beautiful, crackled finish and sweet exterior.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and soft texture.

Recipe Variations for Festive Cream Cheese Cookies

• Gluten-Free Wonder: Replace cake mix with gluten-free cake mix and almond flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same soft, festive texture.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Swap cream cheese and butter with dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream cheese and vegan butter to create a lactose-free cookie option.
• Low-Sugar Sparkle: Use sugar-free cake mix and replace powdered sugar coating with monk fruit sweetener for a diabetic-friendly cookie that still brings holiday cheer.
• Vegan Rainbow: Substitute egg with flax egg, use vegan cream cheese and plant-based butter, then add natural plant-based sprinkles for a completely animal-product-free treat.

Cream Cheese Cookie Serving Suggestions

• Colorful Party Platter: Arrange cookies on a festive serving tray with additional sprinkles scattered around for a playful, celebratory look.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Pack cooled cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with bright ribbons, perfect for holiday gifting or party favors.
• Ice Cream Sandwich Twist: Sandwich a scoop of vanilla or funfetti ice cream between two cookies for an extra decadent dessert experience.
• Milk Pairing Delight: Serve alongside cold milk or hot cocoa in cute mugs to enhance the cookie's fun, nostalgic flavor profile.

Storing Festive Cream Cheese Cookies

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them soft and fresh. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before baking and coating with powdered sugar.
• Place a slice of bread in the storage container to help maintain cookie moisture and prevent them from drying out. Replace bread slice every 1-2 days.
• Keep cookies away from direct sunlight and heat sources to preserve their delicate texture and prevent sprinkles from bleeding or melting.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients for these cookies?

The main ingredients are cream cheese, butter, egg, vanilla, cake mix, and colorful sprinkles. Powdered sugar is used for coating the cookies.

• Can I use different cake mix flavors?

Yes, you can experiment with various cake mix flavors like vanilla, white, or funfetti to create different cookie variations.

• Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling helps prevent spreading and allows the flavors to meld together. It also makes the dough easier to handle and shape into balls.

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

Look for set edges but soft centers. The cookies should be lightly golden around the edges when they’re perfectly baked.

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 52 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas gooey butter cookies bring winter magic to holiday gatherings, melting hearts with their rich, pillowy texture. Powdered sugar dusting and irresistible cream cheese filling make these treats a delightful celebration of seasonal sweetness you’ll cherish.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box (15.25 ounces/432 grams) yellow cake mix
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Decorative Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal non-stick surface.
2. In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
3. Incorporate cake mix into the creamy mixture, stirring until a dense, cohesive dough develops. Gently integrate colorful sprinkles throughout the dough.
4. Chill the prepared dough in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes to enhance flavor melding and improve cookie texture.
5. Remove chilled dough and form into compact, uniform 1½-inch spheres. Generously roll each ball in powdered sugar for a delicate, sweet exterior.
6. Transfer sugar-coated dough balls onto prepared baking sheets, ensuring adequate spacing between cookies. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for slightly set edges while maintaining soft, tender centers.

Notes

• Softening Ingredients Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for smoother mixing and easier blending.
• Sprinkle Selection Use high-quality, colorful sprinkles for vibrant appearance and festive look; rainbow or holiday-themed sprinkles work best.
• Dough Handling Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape during baking; cold dough creates better texture.
• Dietary Modifications Swap cake mix for gluten-free alternative and use dairy-free butter substitute to accommodate different dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 139
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 95 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 24 mg