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Every Christmas I get so excited to make these incredible Gooey Butter Cookies. They're everything a holiday cookie should be soft pillowy and absolutely irresistible. The secret ingredient? Cream cheese that makes them extra tender while those festive sprinkles add such a magical holiday touch. They're the first to disappear at every cookie swap.
What Makes These Cookies So Special
If you love gooey butter cake you're going to adore these cookies. They capture all that wonderful melt in your mouth goodness in perfect cookie form. The cream cheese gives them an amazing tender texture while holiday sprinkles make them sparkle with Christmas cheer. Best of all they come together so quickly perfect for those busy holiday baking days.
Everything You'll Need
- Cream Cheese: Grab a block of full fat cream cheese trust me the spreadable kind just won't give you that perfect texture.
- Unsalted Butter: This creates that rich melt in your mouth magic we're looking for.
- Egg: One large egg helps hold everything together beautifully.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla makes these cookies taste even more amazing.
- Yellow Cake Mix: This shortcut ingredient makes the cookies so soft and flavorful.
- Powdered Sugar: Creates that gorgeous crackly coating we all love.
- Christmas Sprinkles: Pick your favorite holiday colors to make these cookies truly festive.
Let's Make Some Cookies
- Get Started
- First things first warm up your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment no sticking allowed.
- Mix the Wet Stuff
- Beat together your softened cream cheese butter egg and vanilla until everything's smooth and creamy.
- Add Your Cake Mix
- Stir in that cake mix watching it transform into this gorgeous thick sticky dough.
- Time for Sprinkles
- Gently fold in those festive sprinkles we don't want to break them up too much.
- Quick Chill
- Pop that dough in the fridge for 30 minutes it'll be much easier to work with.
- Shape and Sugar
- Roll the dough into balls about 1 1/2 inches then give them a good coat of powdered sugar.
- Into the Oven
- Space those little beauties out on your baking sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes just until the edges set but keep those centers soft.
- Cool Down Time
- Let them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving to a rack to finish cooling.
Make Them Your Own
These cookies love to dress up different ways. Try using vanilla or white cake mix for a change or add a hint of peppermint almond or even lemon extract. Toss in some mini chocolate chips or crushed candy canes. Want to make them extra festive? Add a drop of gel food coloring or roll them in colored sugar instead of powdered they'll look absolutely stunning.
My Best Baking Tips
Want to know my secrets for perfect gooey butter cookies? Always start with room temperature cream cheese and butter they'll blend together like a dream. Be gentle when mixing you want them light and fluffy. That chilling step might seem like a pain but it makes such a difference in handling the dough. Watch them carefully in the oven set edges but soft centers give you that perfect gooey middle.
Keep Them Fresh
These cookies stay perfectly soft for three days in an airtight container at room temperature. Need to make them ahead? They freeze beautifully for up to three months. Just layer them carefully in a freezer container or bag and let them thaw naturally at room temperature when you're ready for them. They'll taste just as amazing as the day you baked them.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough for 30 minutes makes it less sticky and easier to handle when rolling into balls. It also helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- → Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, you can freeze them for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
- → Why use full-fat cream cheese?
Full-fat cream cheese provides the best texture and helps create that signature gooey butter cookie consistency. Low-fat versions may affect the texture.
- → Can I use different cake mix flavors?
Yes, while yellow cake mix is traditional, you can experiment with other flavors like chocolate or vanilla for variety.
- → How do I know when they're done baking?
The cookies are done when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft, about 10-12 minutes. They will continue to set as they cool.