Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies – Rich, Festive, and Melt-in-Your-Mouth Delicious
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies feature a rich, tender crumb with a signature melt-in-your-mouth texture. Based on the famous St. Louis gooey butter cake, these festive treats combine cream cheese, butter, and cake mix for an irresistible holiday cookie.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 box white cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Red and green food coloring gel
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for rolling
- Holiday sprinkles (optional, for decorating)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.
- Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using.
- Gradually mix in the cake mix until just combined. Dough will be sticky.
- Divide dough and add food coloring if desired.
- Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Portion dough into 1-inch balls, roll in powdered sugar, and place on baking sheets.
- Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers are gooey.
- Cool cookies on the baking sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for best results.
- Dough can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw before rolling and baking.
- Cookies will firm up as they cool while keeping gooey centers.
- Experiment with different cake mix flavors or extracts.