As the holiday season approaches, my kitchen transforms into a cozy haven filled with the festive aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugary delights. One cookie that never fails to make an appearance is the Christmas Gooey Butter Cookie. I remember the first time I took a bite; the soft, melting texture and the rich cream cheese flavor enveloped me in pure bliss.
These cookies are not just any holiday treat; they’re a delicious twist on the classic gooey butter cake, adapted into easy-to-make cookies that are perfect for cookie swaps or family gatherings. With a simple cake mix base and a touch of vanilla, you’ll find it’s possible to whip up a batch in no time, leaving you with more moments to savor the season.
And if you’re looking to add a personal touch, I’ve included variations for flavor tweakings and festive presentations. Join me in creating these delightful Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies that are sure to become a holiday staple in your home!
Why Love Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies?
Irresistible Appeal: These cookies are the ultimate holiday indulgence, boasting a soft, chewy texture that melts in your mouth, making them impossible to resist.
Simple to Make: Using a cake mix base means you can whip these up with minimal effort, allowing you to focus on spreading holiday cheer instead of stressing in the kitchen.
Flavor Variations: With options to mix in chocolate chips or crushed candy canes, you can customize each batch to cater to your festive cravings.
Perfect for Sharing: Their eye-catching appearance and delightful taste make them a hit at cookie exchanges and family gatherings, ensuring you’ll be the star of the season.
Great for Everyone: Versatile enough to offer gluten-free alternatives without compromising on flavor, these cookies cater to all your loved ones’ dietary needs.
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Ingredients
• Dive into the delightful world of baking with these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies, perfect for the holiday season!
For the Cookie Dough
- Full-Fat Cream Cheese – Adds moisture and softness; for the best results, use block-style cream cheese, not the tub variety.
- Unsalted Butter – Provides richness and flavor; if using salted butter, be sure to reduce any additional salt in the recipe.
- Large Egg – Binds the ingredients together; for an egg-free substitute, opt for unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water).
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances flavor; consider swapping it for almond or peppermint extract to add a festive twist.
- Yellow Cake Mix (15.25 oz) – Acts as the delicious base for sweetness and texture; you can also use vanilla or white cake mix if desired.
For the Fun Additions
- Holiday Sprinkles – Adds a pop of color and festive charm; for a flavorful boost, try mix-ins like mini chocolate chips or crushed candy canes.
- Powdered Sugar – A sweet finishing touch when rolling the cookies; alternatively, use colored sanding sugar for an eye-catching decoration.
Now you’re ready to get baking and create these crowd-pleasing Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies that will make your holiday season even sweeter!
How to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
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Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking, ensuring your cookies come out perfectly every time.
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Cream the Base: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter using an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
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Stir in the Cake Mix: Gradually stir in the yellow cake mix until everything is blended together, creating a thick, dough-like consistency. Enjoy the sweet aroma as it comes together!
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Add the Sprinkles: Fold in the holiday sprinkles gently into the dough. Be careful to mix lightly to avoid any color bleeding from the sprinkles—this step is all about preserving their fun appearance!
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Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This makes it much easier to handle and shapes the cookies beautifully when baked.
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Shape the Cookies: After chilling, scoop the dough into 1 ½-inch balls. Roll them in powdered sugar until fully coated, then place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each ball.
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Bake Until Set: Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. You want the edges to be set while the centers stay slightly soft and gooey—this is crucial for that delightful texture!
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Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps them firm up just enough!
Optional: For an extra festive touch, try drizzling with melted chocolate before serving.
Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.
What to Serve with Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies?
Baking these delightful treats is just the beginning of your holiday celebration; let’s create the perfect spread!
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Hot Cocoa: A warm, rich cup of hot cocoa pairs beautifully with the cookies’ soft, gooey texture, enhancing the cozy vibes of the season.
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Holiday Eggnog: This creamy, spiced drink complements the sweet cream cheese flavor of the cookies, bringing a festive celebration to your table.
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Coffee: The rich notes of brewed coffee elevate the sweetness of the cookies, making it a perfect combination for brunch gatherings or afternoon treats.
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Chocolate Peppermint Bark: This chocolaty, crunchy dessert adds a fun contrast to the cookies, filling your plate with vibrant holiday flavors.
Savor every delightful bite with fresh fruit. A side of sliced strawberries or tart raspberries contrasts beautifully with the cookie’s sweetness, adding a refreshing touch.
For the final flourish, serve your cookies with a platter of assorted nuts. The salty crunch of mixed nuts provides a lovely balance to the soft, gooey cookies, creating an irresistible snack selection for guests.
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Variations
Feel free to get creative! The joy of baking these cookies lies in personalizing them to suit your holiday spirit.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute a gluten-free cake mix for a delicious version that everyone can enjoy without the gluten.
- Chocolate Chip Boost: Add 1 cup of mini chocolate chips to the dough for a delightful chocolatey surprise in each bite. The combination of creamy and sweet will have everyone coming back for more!
- Candy Cane Crush: Sprinkle in ½ cup of crushed candy canes for a burst of peppermint flavor that’s perfect for the holidays. The refreshing taste and festive color will brighten up your cookie platter.
- Nutty Crunch: Roll your cookies in crushed nuts like pecans or walnuts before baking for a crunchy texture that contrasts beautifully with the gooey center. The warmth of the nuts adds a cozy touch to your treats.
- Festive Colors: Use colored gel food coloring to tint the dough, creating a vibrant array of cookies that look as festive as they taste. Get the kids involved in mixing colors for a fun baking activity!
- Extract Swap: Swap vanilla extract for almond or even orange extract to introduce a unique flavor twist that complements the sweetness of the cookies perfectly; it’s a delightful way to surprise your taste buds.
- Filling Surprise: Consider adding a small dollop of chocolate or hazelnut spread in the center of each cookie before baking for an unexpected gooey filling that tastes decadent and delicious.
- Drizzled Chocolate: Drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies for an elegant finish that adds an extra layer of sweetness and a beautiful presentation. It’s the perfect touch for making your cookies stand out at gatherings!
Let your creativity shine as you experiment with these tasty twists!
Make Ahead Options
These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are perfect for effortless meal prep during the bustling holiday season! You can prepare the cookie dough up to 24 hours in advance by mixing all the ingredients and storing the dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps maintain the cookies’ delightful texture and ensures easy handling when you’re ready to bake. To finish, simply scoop and roll the chilled dough in powdered sugar, place them on a baking sheet, and bake as directed. For longer storage, you can freeze the rolled cookie dough balls for up to 3 months; just thaw at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before baking for equally delicious results!
How to Store and Freeze Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their soft, chewy texture.
Fridge: If you’d like to keep them fresh longer, place them in the fridge for up to a week. Just be sure to allow them to come to room temperature before enjoying!
Freezer: For longer preservation, freeze the cookies in a single layer for about 2 hours, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating: To rejuvenate the gooey texture, warm cookies in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds before diving in!
Expert Tips for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
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Block Cream Cheese: Always use block-style cream cheese for the best texture and moisture in your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies; tub-style won’t work as well.
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Gentle Mixing: Avoid over-mixing after adding sprinkles. Gentle folding keeps the dough colorful and visually appealing.
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Oven Calibration: Be mindful of your oven’s calibration; adjust baking time accordingly to avoid under-baked, gooey centers.
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Gluten-Free Option: To make gluten-free Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies, simply substitute with a gluten-free cake mix—no changes to other ingredients needed.
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Chill Time Matters: Don’t skip chilling the dough! This step is vital for easier handling and perfect cookie shapes.
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe FAQs
How do I select the right cream cheese for these cookies?
Absolutely! For the best texture and moisture in your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies, always use block-style cream cheese. Tub-style cream cheese tends to be too soft, resulting in a less desirable dough consistency.
How should I store my cookies after baking?
I recommend storing your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This helps maintain their soft and chewy texture. If you want to keep them fresh for a longer time, you can refrigerate them for up to a week, but remember to let them come to room temperature before enjoying!
Can I freeze these cookies? If so, how?
Absolutely! To freeze your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies, first place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about 2 hours. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or an airtight container. They can be stored this way for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
What if the centers of my cookies are too gooey? How can I fix this?
Very! To ensure that your cookies have the perfect texture, closely monitor the baking time. If you find they are too gooey, this may indicate they need a little more time in the oven. Each oven is unique, so start checking at 10 minutes. The edges should be set while the centers are slightly soft. If underbaked, leave them in for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Are there any dietary considerations for my pets regarding these cookies?
Yes! These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies contain ingredients like cream cheese and butter that aren’t safe for pets. If you’ve got furry friends around, it’s best not to share these treats with them. Stick to pet-friendly snacks instead!
What can I do if I want to make these cookies gluten-free?
You’re in luck! To make gluten-free Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies, simply substitute the yellow cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix—no need to change any of the other ingredients! This way, everyone can enjoy the deliciousness without compromising on flavor.
Irresistible Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies to Melt Hearts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter until smooth and fluffy. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually stir in the yellow cake mix until blended into a thick, dough-like consistency.
- Fold in the holiday sprinkles gently, being careful not to mix too vigorously.
- Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes for easier handling.
- Scoop the dough into 1 ½-inch balls, roll in powdered sugar, and place on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but centers are still soft.
- Let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.