5 christmas gooey butter cookies melt joy

Oh man, trying to keep up with all the holiday baking can sometimes feel like a marathon, right? But I’m here to tell you that you absolutely deserve to have that soul-satisfying, simple joy baked right into your December. Forget the complicated doughs that need chilling for days!

That’s why these christmas gooey butter cookies are my go-to when the season gets hectic. Seriously, they taste like you spent hours fussing over them, but thanks to one little shortcut—a box of cake mix—they come together in minutes. I talk more about my journey from corporate life to finding joy in simple recipes like this over on my About Me page, if you’re curious!

My favorite part is that they are unbelievably soft and chewy. They genuinely melt in your mouth, making them the perfect treat for me to whip up when I need a quick dose of holiday calm. You’re going to love this!

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Why You Will Bake These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Again and Again

Listen, the holidays are busy enough without adding ten-step recipes to the mix. These cookies are pure magic because they deliver maximum festivity with minimum fuss. They truly are my secret weapon for the season.

• Instant gratification: Cake mix means you skip the whole measuring-and-mixing-the-base routine!
• Unbeatable texture: They stay unbelievably soft, even several days later.
• Holiday ready: A quick roll in sugar and a dash of sprinkles locks in that festive look.

Achieving That Perfect Soft and Chewy Cookies Texture

It’s all about moisture retention here. The combination of the cake mix providing a light base and the cream cheese in the filling keeps everything incredibly tender. Trust me, these are some of the best Soft and Chewy Cookies you’ll ever make without even using brown sugar!

Perfect for Christmas Cookie Exchanges

If you go to any Christmas Cookie Exchanges, you need something crowd-pleasing, right? These are perfect for two reasons: they are unbelievably easy to double batch, and they look gorgeous stacked up in little gift tins. They disappear fast—I’m warning you now!

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Essential Ingredients for the Best Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Okay, let’s talk about what makes these cookies so fantastic, and frankly, so simple! Since we are leaning into easy entertaining, we’re relying on a great shortcut that doesn’t sacrifice flavor one bit. I use standard pantry staples, but the balance between the dough and the filling is everything. Remember that you can find my full ingredient list right here, but let’s break down what’s what.

Dough Components for Your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

This is where the magic starts, and it’s shockingly short! You just need a standard box of yellow cake mix—that’s the base that ensures they bake up perfectly soft. Mix that with some melted butter and one egg. That’s it for the dough! It’s so quick to bring together; seriously, no mixer needed for this part, just a spoon works great.

Cream Cheese Filling for the Gooey Center of Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

This part is what earns them the “gooey” title and guarantees that Melt In Your Mouth Cookies texture we love. You’ll need softened cream cheese—make sure it’s soft, trust me!—another egg, a bit of vanilla, and the bulk of your powdered sugar, about one cup. This rich, tangy filling sits perfectly inside that sweet cake dough base.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Now for the fun part! If you have about 20 minutes before you start baking, grab your cream cheese and let it hang out on the counter because we need it softened up for that creamy layer. These steps are so straightforward, it’s honestly hard to mess them up, which is why they make my list of Easy Christmas Desserts. Since we’re using a cake mix base, whipping these up is faster than most simple holiday baking projects, and you can see more easy ideas over at my cake batter cookie guide!

Preparing the Cookie Dough Base for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

First things first, every good baker gets their station ready. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) right away. While that heats up, line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper. That parchment is your best friend—it stops sticking and makes cleanup a breeze!

Next, grab a medium bowl and mix up that base dough: dump in your cake mix, the half-cup of melted butter, and the first egg. Just mix this up with a sturdy spoon until it comes together into a nice, soft dough. Don’t overwork it; we want soft, not tough!

Creating the Cream Cheese Layer and Assembling the Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Time for the filling! In a separate, bigger bowl, beat that softened cream cheese until it looks smooth and lump-free. Then whip in the second egg and that teaspoon of vanilla. Now, gradually add about one cup of your powdered sugar and beat until it’s all creamy. This is your gooey spot!

Now we assemble them! Roll your cake dough into little balls—about one inch is perfect. Seriously, don’t second-guess the size; keep them uniform. Then, you need to roll each ball *completely* in the remaining powdered sugar until they are totally coated. We are making future Powdered Sugar Coated Cookies here!

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Gently press your thumb into the top of each sugared ball to make a little nest. Spoon just about a teaspoon of that luscious cream cheese filling right into that dip. Don’t be greedy! Then, sprinkle the tops with your red and green sprinkles before they head into the oven.

Baking and Cooling Your Melt In Your Mouth Cookies

Bake these beauties for just 10 to 12 minutes. This is where you need to be brave! You want the edges to look set, but the centers absolutely *must* still look soft and maybe a little shiny. If you wait until they look fully done, they’ll come out firm instead of that famous gooey texture. Remember, we are aiming for Melt In Your Mouth Cookies!

Let them rest right on that hot baking sheet for about five minutes. Trust me on this wait time—they are too delicate to move right away. After five minutes, gently move them over to a wire rack to cool completely. If you try to eat one hot, it might just turn into a delicious, buttery puddle!

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Expert Tips for Perfect Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Every Time

Even though this recipe is wonderfully simple, there are a few small things I do that really separate a good batch from a truly outstanding one. You know I love sharing my secrets! These little tricks help ensure these are some of the best Simple Holiday Baking treats you’ll make all year long. When you get the technique down, you’ll feel so confident bringing these to parties! For more inspiration on making amazing holiday treats without the stress, swing by my guide on easy creamy coconut poke cake—it uses a similar shortcut approach!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Cream Cheese Cookies

The biggest tip for the filling is temperature control. Make absolutely sure your cream cheese is truly soft, almost spreadable. If it’s even a little chilly, you’ll end up with lumps in that beautiful interior layer of your Cream Cheese Cookies. Also, if you aren’t a big fan of yellow cake’s color, you can swap it out for a white cake mix. It will just give you a lighter base, but the flavor remains fantastic.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

If your cookies seem to be spreading way too much into flat puddles, your dough is probably too warm! Try popping the dough balls back into the fridge for about 10 minutes before shaping them. Also, if you notice your cream cheese filling sinking too deep into the dough after baking, you might have over-whipped that filling mixture; mix it until it’s just combined after the powdered sugar goes in. We don’t want too much air!

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Your Festive Holiday Baking Recipes

One of the best things about these christmas gooey butter cookies is how perfectly they fit into my busy holiday schedule. I make them way ahead of time! To keep that incredible soft and chewy texture, you must store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Don’t even think about trying the fridge; it dries out cakes and cookies, and we don’t want that!

They actually taste even better on day two once they’ve settled. If you plan on taking them to parties or using them as Christmas Gift Cookies, layering them with parchment paper in a sturdy tin keeps them safe during travel. These are truly one of the best Holiday Baking Recipes because they travel so well!

If you’re looking for more great recipes designed for easy festive sharing, check out my guide to easy entertaining ideas—they pair perfectly with these cookies!

Serving Suggestions for Your Holiday Cookie Tray Favorites

When you put these christmas gooey butter cookies on your platter, people are going to gravitate toward them first, I promise! They are rich, so you want to balance that out on your Holiday Cookie Tray Favorites.

They are absolutely divine when paired with a steaming mug of black coffee—the bitterness cuts through the sweetness perfectly. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with some rich, creamy hot chocolate. If you’re looking for another decadent pairing recipe, I have a great one for hot chocolate cookies!

These cookies are so soft and buttery, they don’t need much else on the tray besides maybe some shortbread and crisp peppermint bark!

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

I always get the same questions when people first try making these—it makes total sense because you want them to be absolutely perfect for your holiday trays! If you’re digging for more general baking troubleshooting, I archive all my best advice on the Pure Cooking Joy blog.

Can I make these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you absolutely can! I encourage it, honestly. Bake them just as the recipe says, making sure they cool completely. Then store them in a single layer, separated by parchment paper, inside a truly airtight container at room temperature. They stay incredibly fresh and maintain that soft texture for about four or five days. This makes them perfect for getting ahead of your Holiday Baking Recipes list!

What makes these cookies so gooey?

That signature gooey texture comes from two things working together! First is that rich cream cheese filling, which is essentially a soft, luscious miniature cheesecake center. Second, and this is key: you have to pull them out right when they look slightly underdone in the middle. If you wait until they look set, they will firm up as they cool, and you lose that melt-in-your-mouth magic!

Are these considered Easy Christmas Desserts?

Oh, they are the definition of Easy Christmas Desserts! They fit that bill perfectly because we use the box of yellow cake mix shortcut. It takes the hardest part out of the whole equation, making cleanup simple and prep time super short. If you’re aiming for delicious results quickly, these are your ticket to holiday baking success.

Estimated Nutritional Data for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Okay, so I hate to put a number on something as joyful as a cookie, but I know some of you like to plan around this stuff, especially during the holidays when we’re trying to balance things out. Please remember, these numbers are just my best guess based on the standard ingredients I use. If you use a different brand of cake mix or add extra sprinkles, things might shift a little bit! These estimates are for one single cookie, which, let’s be honest, is never really just *one* cookie, right?

• Calories: Approximately 180 per cookie
• Fat: About 9g total fat
• Sugar: 18g (But think of it as holiday cheer!)
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: Roughly 40mg

I always tell people not to sweat the little details during the holidays, but the main takeaways here are that they have a modest amount of protein and are, naturally, a treat! If you’re focusing on Holiday Baking Recipes, knowing the basics helps you plan your whole cookie tray!

Share Your Festive Baking Creations

Alright, that’s it! You’ve made the best christmas gooey butter cookies, and now I want to hear all about them! I truly believe that cooking is meant to be shared, and your experiences help me keep making better Holiday Baking Recipes for everyone.

Did you manage to keep them nice and gooey? Did your family devour them before you could even get them onto the cooling rack? Please, drop a comment below and give the recipe a star rating. It helps other home cooks feel confident diving in!

And if you took a pretty picture of your finished cookies—maybe next to the fireplace or stacked high for a party—I would absolutely love to see it! Tag me on social media when you post them. If you want to join our community chat space where we share baking wins (and maybe a few safe-to-eat fails!), you can find us over on our Facebook page at Pure Cooking Joy. Happy baking, friends, and Merry Christmas!

Easy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies: Soft, Chewy, and Melt-in-Your-Mouth with Festive Sprinkles

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I’m Alex, and I’m happy you found this recipe. These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies use a simple cake mix base to give you that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves during the holidays. They are perfect for cookie exchanges and holiday trays.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 12 min
• Total Time: 32 min
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 box (16 ounces) powdered sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup red and green sprinkles (for festive look)

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 1/2 cup melted butter, and 1 egg. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the second egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing until just combined.
4. Gradually add 1 cup of the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth and creamy.
5. Take the cake mix dough and roll it into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
6. Roll each dough ball completely in the remaining powdered sugar until fully coated.
7. Press each powdered sugar-coated ball lightly with your thumb to create a slight indentation.
8. Place about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into the indentation of each dough ball.
9. Sprinkle the tops with red and green sprinkles immediately.
10. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The edges will look set, but the centers will still look soft and gooey. Do not overbake.
11. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. These cookies are best when they are soft and chewy.

Notes

• For the best melt-in-your-mouth texture, do not overbake these cookies. They should look slightly underdone in the center when you remove them from the oven.
• You can substitute the yellow cake mix with white cake mix if you prefer a slightly lighter color base.
• These cookies are excellent for Christmas cookie exchanges because they hold up well for gifting when stored in an airtight container.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 18
• Sodium: 150
• Fat: 9
• Saturated Fat: 5
• Unsaturated Fat: 4
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 24
• Fiber: 0
• Protein: 2
• Cholesterol: 40