Description
Bake soft and gooey Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies! Made with cake mix, cream cheese, and festive sprinkles, they’re perfect for holiday parties and gifts.
Ingredients
Ingredient List (With Measurements)
These cookies use just a handful of ingredients, yet they deliver big on flavor and texture.
Main Ingredients
- Yellow Cake Mix: 1 box (15.25 oz) – The base for the dough that saves time and adds sweetness.
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz, softened – Gives the cookies their gooey, creamy texture.
- Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick), softened – Adds richness and flavor.
- Egg: 1 large – Helps bind the ingredients together.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon – Enhances the flavor and adds warmth.
Optional Add-Ins and Decorations
- Powdered Sugar: 1/2 cup – For rolling the dough balls and dusting over baked cookies.
- Holiday Sprinkles: For a festive touch.
- Food Coloring: Add red or green food coloring to the dough for Christmas-themed cookies.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: 1/4 cup – For extra indulgence.
Preparation Tips
- Use Softened Ingredients: Ensure the cream cheese and butter are fully softened to make blending easier and create a smooth dough.
- Chill the Dough: After mixing, refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This step makes the dough easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Roll in Powdered Sugar Generously: Coat each dough ball thoroughly in powdered sugar to create the signature crackled appearance as the cookies bake.
- Experiment with Flavors: Use different cake mix flavors like red velvet, chocolate, or spice cake to add variety.
- Use Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese:
- In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the Egg and Vanilla:
- Mix in the egg and vanilla extract, blending until fully incorporated.
- Mix in the Cake Mix:
- Gradually add the cake mix to the bowl, mixing on low speed to avoid splatters. Continue until the dough is fully combined.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This firms up the dough, making it easier to roll into balls.
Step 3: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 4: Shape and Coat the Dough
- Roll the Dough into Balls:
- Using a spoon or small cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll into 1-inch balls.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar:
- Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar, ensuring an even coating.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
- Arrange on the Baking Sheet:
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the cookies are set and the tops are crackled. Avoid overbaking to preserve their gooey centers.
Step 6: Cool and Decorate
- Cool on a Wire Rack:
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Decorations:
- Dust with additional powdered sugar or top with festive holiday sprinkles while the cookies are still warm.
Notes
Expert Tips for Perfect Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Achieving the ideal Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies is all about technique and attention to detail. These tips will ensure your cookies turn out perfectly gooey, festive, and delicious every time.
Baking Tips
- Softened Ingredients Are Key
- Use softened butter and cream cheese to ensure a smooth, cohesive dough. This prevents lumps and makes mixing easier.
- Chill the Dough
- Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to an hour) is crucial for easy handling and to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Dust Your Hands with Powdered Sugar
- Sticky dough can make rolling difficult. Dust your hands with powdered sugar to make rolling the dough into balls easier and less messy.
- Space Them Out
- Leave at least 2 inches between the cookies on the baking sheet to allow for spreading.
- Avoid Overbaking
- These cookies are meant to be soft and gooey. Take them out of the oven when they’re set but still slightly soft in the center. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Presentation Tips
- Dust with Extra Powdered Sugar
- For a snowy, festive finish, dust the cookies with powdered sugar after they’ve cooled.
- Add Holiday Sprinkles
- Sprinkle holiday-themed decorations like red and green sprinkles or edible glitter on the cookies right before baking for a festive touch.
- Use Festive Wrappings
- Serve the cookies in decorative tins or boxes lined with parchment paper for a professional and thoughtful presentation.