Festive Cream Cheese Treats

Category: Treats That Make Everything Better

These soft bites mix cake batter with cream cheese for a gooey inside, topped with powdered sugar and festive decorations.

Clare Recipes
Created By Lily Chen
Updated on Fri, 21 Mar 2025 03:09:21 GMT
Close-up of powdered sugar-dusted cookies in colorful sprinkles. Save
Close-up of powdered sugar-dusted cookies in colorful sprinkles. | lilicooks.com

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.

A close-up of soft, colorful cookies stacked on top of each other, featuring bits of red and green. Save
A close-up of soft, colorful cookies stacked on top of each other, featuring bits of red and green. | lilicooks.com

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.

Gooey Butter Cookies

Buttery cookies, made creamy with cake mix and cream cheese, coated in powdered sugar and sprinkled with holiday cheer.

Preparation Time
10 min
Cooking Time
10 min
Overall Time
20 min
Created By: Lily Chen

Category: Sweet Stuff

Skill Level: Moderate

Cuisine Type: American

Output: 32 Serves (32 cookies)

Dietary Options: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 large egg.
02 ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature.
03 ½ cup powdered sugar.
04 8 ounces softened cream cheese.
05 ½ cup festive sprinkles.
06 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
07 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix.

Steps

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F and cover baking trays with parchment paper.

Step 02

Mix soft cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and egg until it’s smooth and creamy.

Step 03

Add the cake mix to form a thick dough. Gently mix in the sprinkles.

Step 04

Let the dough rest in the fridge for no less than 30 minutes.

Step 05

Make 1½-inch balls out of the dough, then roll them gently in powdered sugar.

Step 06

Bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be firm, but the centers will stay soft.

Tips

  1. You can freeze for up to 3 months.
  2. Store in a single layer to avoid sticking.
  3. Good for 3 days if left at room temperature.

Required Tools

  • Electric mixer.
  • Parchment paper.
  • Baking trays.

Allergy Information

Always check each ingredient for allergens, and consult a medical professional if unsure.
  • Contains dairy (butter, cream cheese).
  • Includes eggs.
  • Has wheat (from cake mix).

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are shared for general guidance and don’t replace professional advice.
  • Calories: 103
  • Fats: 4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Proteins: 2 g