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Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

4.8 from 60 reviews

Gooey Butter Cookies are soft, rich, and delightfully sweet treats featuring a creamy cream cheese and butter base combined with yellow cake mix and festive holiday sprinkles. These cookies have a slightly chewy center with a powdered sugar coating, perfect for holiday celebrations or everyday indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (15.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
  • 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles

Coating

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for easy cleanup.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the yellow cake mix until a thick, cohesive dough forms, ensuring all ingredients are fully incorporated but not overmixed.
  4. Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles carefully to avoid bleeding the colors into the dough and to maintain the festive appearance.
  5. Chill Dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes, which will make it firmer and easier to handle and shape.
  6. Form Cookie Balls: Scoop the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls, then roll each ball thoroughly in powdered sugar until fully coated.
  7. Bake: Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft and gooey.
  8. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cookies set without breaking.

Notes

  • Ensure cream cheese and butter are fully softened for smooth mixing and best texture.
  • Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading during baking and makes it easier to handle.
  • Do not overbake; the centers should remain slightly soft for that gooey texture.
  • You can use any color or themed sprinkles to suit different occasions.
  • Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: Gooey Butter Cookies, cream cheese cookies, holiday cookies, sprinkle cookies, soft cookies