Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies have quickly become a holiday favorite in our house! The soft, buttery texture combined with the richness of cream cheese makes these cookies incredibly delicious. When I first made them, I was amazed at how simple they were to put together, yet how indulgent they tasted. The festive sprinkles add the perfect touch of holiday cheer, making them a perfect addition to any Christmas cookie platter. My family couldn’t get enough of these melt-in-your-mouth treats, and I can already tell they will be a staple during the holiday season for years to come.

Ingredients

• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ¼ cup holiday sprinkles (red and green, optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Once well combined, add the egg and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until everything is incorporated.
3. Add the Cake Mix: Gradually add the cake mix to the cream cheese mixture. Mix until a thick, sticky dough forms. This dough should be sticky but hold together well.
4. Fold in Sprinkles: If you’re using holiday sprinkles, gently fold them into the dough at this point. The sprinkles will add a pop of color and a festive touch to your cookies.
5. Shape the Cookies: Place powdered sugar in a small bowl. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each one into a ball. Then roll the dough balls in the powdered sugar to coat them fully. This gives the cookies their signature crinkled, powdery top.
6. Bake: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops have formed a crinkled appearance. The cookies should still be soft in the center.
7. Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Once cooled, enjoy your soft, ooey-gooey holiday cookies!

Nutrition Facts

• Servings: 24 cookies
• Calories per serving: 180 kcal
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Total Time: 25-30 minutes

How to Serve

• For a Holiday Cookie Platter: Serve these gooey butter cookies alongside other holiday classics like gingerbread, sugar cookies, and snickerdoodles.
• With a Cup of Tea or Coffee: These cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of tea or coffee, making them the perfect treat for cozy holiday afternoons.
• Gift Giving: Package these cookies in a festive box and give them as a sweet homemade gift. They make the perfect addition to any holiday gift basket.

Additional Tips

1. Use a Cookie Scoop: To ensure uniform cookie sizes, use a cookie scoop. This will make your cookies all the same size and help them bake evenly.
2. Chill the Dough: If the dough is too sticky to handle, you can chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes to make it easier to scoop and roll.
3. Don’t Overbake: These cookies should be soft and gooey in the center. Be careful not to overbake them—once the edges are golden and the tops are crinkled, they’re ready to come out.
4. Swap Cake Mix Flavors: For a fun twist, try using different cake mix flavors, such as chocolate or lemon, to create new variations of these cookies.
5. Experiment with Sprinkles: You can use different colors of sprinkles to fit any occasion. Red and green are perfect for Christmas, but you can use pastel colors for Easter or even rainbow sprinkles for a fun birthday treat.

Recipe Variations

• Chocolate Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies: Replace the yellow cake mix with a chocolate cake mix for a richer, chocolatey version of these cookies.
• Lemon Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies: Swap out the yellow cake mix for a lemon cake mix and add extra lemon zest for an extra citrusy punch.
• Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies: Use a peanut butter cake mix instead of yellow cake mix to create a delicious peanut butter version of these cookies.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free cake mix to make these cookies gluten-free. You can also substitute the powdered sugar with a gluten-free alternative if desired.

Serving Suggestions

• With Hot Cocoa: Pair these ooey gooey butter cookies with a cup of hot cocoa for a cozy winter treat.
• Ice Cream Sandwiches: Sandwich a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two cookies for an indulgent dessert.
• Serve at Parties: These cookies are perfect for holiday parties or cookie swaps. They’re easy to make in large batches and always a crowd-pleaser.

Freezing and Storage

• Storing: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They’ll stay soft and gooey for several days.
• Freezing: These cookies freeze wonderfully. To freeze, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
• Reheating: To reheat frozen cookies, place them on a baking sheet and heat at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, or until warmed through.

FAQ Section

1. Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Yes, you can use any flavor of cake mix for these cookies. Chocolate, lemon, or red velvet are all great options!

2. Can I add nuts to the dough?
Yes, you can fold in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the dough for added texture and flavor.

3. How can I make these cookies more festive?
In addition to holiday sprinkles, you can drizzle the cookies with melted chocolate or add a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra special touch.

4. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months.

5. Can I use a low-fat cream cheese in this recipe?
Yes, you can use low-fat cream cheese, though the cookies may be slightly less rich.

6. How do I know when these cookies are done?
These cookies are done when the edges are golden and the tops have a crinkled appearance. The centers should still be soft.

7. Can I make these cookies with dairy-free ingredients?
Yes, you can use dairy-free cream cheese and a dairy-free butter substitute to make these cookies dairy-free.

8. How can I make these cookies chewier?
To make the cookies chewier, underbake them slightly and allow them to cool on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.

9. Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can easily double this recipe to make more cookies for larger gatherings or parties.

10. How should I store leftover cookies?
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze them for up to 2 months.

Conclusion

Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat—soft, sweet, and bursting with flavor. The rich cream cheese dough combined with the festive sprinkles and subtle lemon zest makes these cookies a standout addition to any holiday cookie platter. Whether you’re making them for a family gathering, a holiday party, or just because, these cookies are sure to bring smiles to everyone’s face. Easy to make with simple ingredients, they’re perfect for both novice and experienced bakers alike. Enjoy the holidays with these irresistible cookies!

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