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My Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies turned into our neighborhood's favorite holiday sweet after I brought them to our annual cookie swap. They magically rise in the oven creating that gorgeous crackled surface while staying wonderfully soft inside. The buttery vanilla smell fills my house as they bake, making everyone hungry.
Tastier Than Store-Bought
The beauty of these cookies lies in how they're both easy to make and totally wow-worthy. When cake mix meets cream cheese, you get this incredible melt-in-your-mouth goodness. And those holiday sprinkles scattered throughout make them look fancy even though they come together in no time.
Your Shopping List
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz full-fat at room temperature for that gooey center.
- Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (1 stick) softened for buttery flavor.
- Egg: 1 large to hold everything together.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon to boost the taste.
- Yellow Cake Mix: 1 box (about 15.25 oz) as your shortcut base.
- Powdered Sugar: ½ cup for rolling and creating that sweet crackly outside.
- Christmas Sprinkles: ½ cup to add festive fun and color.
Cookie Baking Steps
- Prep First
- Warm up your oven and put parchment on your baking sheets.
- Blend Wet Stuff
- Mix your cream cheese butter egg and vanilla until everything looks smooth.
- Dump In Dry
- Add the cake mix and stir until you've got thick cookie dough.
- Holiday Touch
- Toss in those colorful sprinkles for a merry look.
- Cool Down
- Pop the dough in the fridge so it won't stick to your hands later.
- Shape and Coat
- Form little balls roll them in powdered sugar and watch them transform.
- Watch Carefully
- Don't overbake them you want the middles soft for that gooey texture.
Switch Things Up
You can try vanilla cake mix or drop in some almond extract for a flavor twist. During Christmas I sometimes roll them in fancy red and green sugar. My little ones jump for joy when I throw in some tiny chocolate chips or bits of candy canes.
Tricks For Success
Always go for the block cream cheese and don't rush getting everything to room temp. The dough needs that chill time so don't hurry past it. They'll look a little underbaked when you pull them out but trust me, they'll firm up just right as they cool down.
Storage Smarts
These treats stay amazingly soft when you keep them in a sealed container. You can even make them weeks ahead and stick them in the freezer. Just let them sit on the counter to thaw before you want to eat them.
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Festive Feelings
These gooey butter cookies always bring smiles to our Christmas gatherings. Whether I'm trading them at cookie parties or just serving them at home with warm cocoa, they add an extra bit of sweetness to our holiday moments.
Recipe FAQs
- → Why chill the dough first?
It firms up the dough, making it easier to scoop and stopping the cookies from spreading too wide. Aim for at least 30 minutes chilling time.
- → Can these cookies be frozen?
Absolutely! Seal in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before eating.
- → Why do sprinkles run color?
Mix sprinkles slowly to avoid bleeding. Using nonpareils instead of traditional sprinkles can also keep them looking neat.
- → How do I spot if they’re baked?
Look for firm edges with softer centers. Check around 10-12 minutes—they’ll keep settling while they cool down.
- → What’s the best way to keep these cookies fresh?
Place cookies in a single layer inside a sealed container. Keep at room temperature for up to three days for the softest results.