Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

If you’re craving something festive, irresistibly soft, and perfectly sweet, then you’re in for a treat with this Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe. These cookies are a delightful twist on the classic gooey butter cake, offering a buttery, tangy cream cheese base all wrapped in a snowy coat of powdered sugar and festive sprinkles. The joy of biting into one of these is nothing short of magical—they’re chewy in the middle, just glazed enough with white chocolate, and bursting with holiday spirit. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just indulging yourself, these cookies capture everything wonderful about the season in a single bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe calls for simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that combine beautifully to deliver remarkable flavor, texture, and color. Each ingredient plays a vital role—from the rich cream cheese providing that gooey tenderness, to the white cake mix ensuring easy mixing and structure, right down to the sparkling sprinkles that bring the festive cheer.

• Unsalted butter (½ cup, softened): Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb without extra saltiness.
• Cream cheese (8 oz, softened): Gives that signature gooey and creamy texture that makes the cookies so delightful.
• Large egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture for softness.
• Pure vanilla extract (1 tsp): Enhances all the other flavors with its warm, sweet aroma.
• White cake mix (15 oz): The microwave shortcut that ensures your dough is light and fluffy.
• Powdered sugar (1 cup): Coats each cookie in a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth shell.
• Christmas sprinkles (1½ cups): Packed with red, white, and green colors—they bring holiday joy and crunch.
• Ghirardelli white chocolate melting chips (2 cups): The perfect glossy dip that adds sweetness and a delicate snap.

How to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Together Butter and Cream Cheese

Start with softened butter and cream cheese in a large bowl, using a mixer to blend them until smooth and fully combined. This creamy base is what makes these cookies irresistibly gooey and tender, so take your time to get it just right.

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla

Beat in one large egg along with the vanilla extract. This step adds moisture and flavor complexity that perfectly complements the richness of the cream cheese.

Step 3: Mix in the Cake Mix

Next, stir in the entire package of white cake mix. The cake mix brings structure to the dough and ensures it’s light enough to bake to perfection, while still maintaining that delightful gooey center.

Step 4: Fold in Sprinkles

Gently fold in ¾ cup of your vibrant Christmas sprinkles. This small burst of color and crunchy texture inside the cookie brings a fun holiday surprise in every bite.

Step 5: Chill the Dough Overnight

Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight. This step helps the dough firm up, making it easier to shape and enhancing the cookie’s flavor as the ingredients meld together beautifully.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Sheets and Preheat Oven

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. This ensures even baking and easy cleanup later.

Step 7: Scoop and Shape Cookies

Using a small ice cream scooper, scoop out the dough and roll it gently into balls. The consistent size helps the cookies bake evenly.

Step 8: Prepare Powdered Sugar and Sprinkles for Coating

Pour the powdered sugar into a large bowl. Then, sprinkle a few additional sprinkles onto each dough ball before rolling it in powdered sugar until fully coated, creating that signature snowy look.

Step 9: Bake the Cookies

Arrange the coated cookie balls on your prepared cookie sheets, spacing them evenly. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft and gooey.

Step 10: Cool Slightly then Transfer to Rack

Allow the cookies to rest for a few minutes on the baking sheet before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage and helps the cookies set perfectly.

Step 11: Melt the White Chocolate

In a heat-safe bowl, microwave the white chocolate melting chips in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth—ready for dipping.

Step 12: Dip and Decorate Cookies

Carefully dip half of each cookie into the melted white chocolate and gently shake off the excess. Place them back on parchment or silicone mats and sprinkle generously with remaining Christmas sprinkles for that festive finish.

Step 13: Let the White Chocolate Harden

Allow the dipped cookies to cool at room temperature or in the fridge until the white chocolate sets completely. Once hardened, these beauties are ready to enjoy!

How to Serve Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

To amp up presentation, consider dusting extra powdered sugar just before serving or adding tiny edible glitter stars for sparkle. Fresh cranberries or peppermint bits also make eye-catching and seasonal toppings that pair wonderfully with the white chocolate dip.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair exceptionally well with hot beverages like rich cocoa, spiced chai, or a warm cup of coffee. If serving at a holiday party, include a platter of assorted nuts or soft cheeses to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack these cookies tied with a festive ribbon as thoughtful gifts, or display them on a tiered dessert stand surrounded by pine branches and ornaments for a stunning holiday centerpiece. Putting a cookie in a clear cellophane bag with a personalized tag also makes a delightful stocking stuffer.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cookies maintain their buttery softness and the white chocolate remains stable, making them perfect for enjoying the next day.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking by placing them on a tray lined with parchment paper, freezing until solid, then transferring to a freezer bag. Alternatively, freeze baked cookies in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

To refresh the cookies, warm them in the microwave for about 10 seconds, or pop them in a 300-degree oven for 3-4 minutes. Be mindful not to overheat to keep their gooey texture intact.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Absolutely! While white cake mix keeps the cookies light and classic, you can experiment with yellow or even spice cake mixes for a unique twist that still complements the festive flavors.

What if I don’t have white chocolate chips?

If white chocolate chips aren’t available, you can substitute with white almond bark or candy melts. Just be sure to melt them gently to avoid scorching.

Can I skip refrigerating the dough overnight?

Refrigerating overnight helps the dough firm up for easier handling and deeper flavor, but if you’re short on time, chilling for at least 1-2 hours will still produce tasty cookies—just expect slightly softer shapes.

How do I keep the sprinkles from bleeding color?

Using high-quality, festive sprinkles designed for baking helps avoid color bleeding. Also, rolling the cookie balls in powdered sugar quickly after applying sprinkles helps lock in their colors.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

Since this recipe uses a standard white cake mix, it’s not gluten-free by default. However, you can substitute a gluten-free cake mix to accommodate dietary needs without compromising texture.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe truly captures the spirit of the season in the most delicious way possible. They’re easy to make, joyful to share, and guaranteed to bring smiles around the holiday table. Once you try them, these cookies are bound to become a cherished tradition. So grab your mixing bowl, sprinkle generously, and let the festive baking begin!

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