Description
These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive treat combining a rich, buttery cream cheese dough with colorful holiday sprinkles. Soft, gooey centers with a lightly crisp edge make them perfect for holiday gatherings and cookie exchanges.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (15.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, for coating
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, egg, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Dry Ingredient: Gradually stir in the yellow cake mix until a thick, cohesive dough forms.
- Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold the holiday sprinkles into the dough, taking care not to overmix in order to prevent the colors from bleeding into the batter.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes; this will make it easier to scoop and handle.
- Form Dough Balls: Scoop out the chilled dough into 1 1/2-inch balls, then roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Bake Cookies: Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft and gooey.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preserving their soft texture.
Notes
- Be sure to chill the dough well; this step helps prevent spreading and keeps the cookies thick and gooey.
- Do not overbake to maintain the signature gooey texture in the center.
- Holiday sprinkles add festive color but can bleed, so handle gently.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft for several days.