When the holiday season arrives, many look forward to festive treats and desserts. One delightful recipe that brings joy to the table is the Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies. These cake mix cookies are exceptionally easy to make, requiring just a handful of ingredients to create a deliciously gooey treat topped with festive holiday sprinkles. Plus, they can be a healthier version by adjusting the ingredients slightly. With this recipe, you can enjoy a tasty dessert that’s not only fun to make but also perfect for sharing with family and friends.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
You’ll adore these Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies because they are simple to prepare and bursting with holiday flavors. Made with yellow cake mix, cream cheese, and butter, these cookies have a wonderfully soft and chewy texture. The addition of festive sprinkles makes them visually appealing and perfect for holiday gatherings. A lighter option can easily be made if you choose lower-calorie ingredients. Each bite is a delicious combination of sweetness and richness, ideal for satisfying your holiday cravings without feeling guilty.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
Mixing Bowl
You’ll need a mixing bowl to combine all your ingredients smoothly. A large mixing bowl works best to contain all the dough as you mix it together.
Baking Sheet
A baking sheet is essential for baking your cookies. Make sure to line it with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
Parchment Paper
Parchment paper will prevent your cookies from sticking to the baking sheet. It also makes for neat and easy cleanup afterwards.
Cookie Scoop
A cookie scoop will help you portion out the dough into evenly shaped balls. This ensures that your cookies bake uniformly.
Oven
An oven will be necessary to bake your cookies. Preheating it ensures that your cookies start cooking right away.
INGREDIENTS
Ingredient 1: Yellow Cake Mix
One box of yellow cake mix serves as the base for these cookies, adding sweetness and a light cake-like texture that is naturally appealing.
Ingredient 2: Cream Cheese
Half a cup of soft cream cheese adds richness and a gooey texture to the cookies. It’s the secret ingredient that makes them “ooey gooey.”
Ingredient 3: Butter
Half a cup of softened butter is crucial for achieving that deliciously moist and rich flavor. Butter also helps in getting the right spread and softness in your cookies.
Ingredient 4: Egg
One egg brings everything together and adds some binding to the cookie dough. It also contributes to the cookies’ chewy texture.
Ingredient 5: Vanilla Extract
A teaspoon of vanilla extract enhances the flavor, making these cookies even more aromatic and delicious.
Ingredient 6: Powdered Sugar
Dusting powdered sugar on top gives them a festive touch and nicely balances the sweetness. This is an easy way to make your cookies look more appealing.
Ingredient 7: Holiday Sprinkles
Adding festive sprinkles to the cookies makes them holiday-ready. They offer a bright, colorful presentation that everyone loves.
HOW TO MAKE Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is important as it ensures even cooking of your cookies.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, softened cream cheese, softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Using a mixer or spoon, mix until the dough is well combined, smooth, and no lumps remain. This is where the ooey gooey texture starts to form.

Step 3: Shape the Cookies
Using a cookie scoop or your hands, scoop tablespoons of dough and roll them into balls. Aim for a size that will bake evenly, about 1 inch in diameter.

Step 4: Arrange on Baking Sheet
Place the cookie balls on the lined baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart. This spacing allows for spreading as they bake.
Step 5: Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Don’t overbake as you want that gooey middle.
Step 6: Cool and Decorate
Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. Once cooled, roll them in powdered sugar, and sprinkle with festive sprinkles as desired. This final touch makes them truly holiday-ready!

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Serve these cookies warm or at room temperature. Share them with friends and family to spread the holiday cheer!
TIPS AND TRICKS
- Make it Healthier: For a lighter option, consider using a sugar-free cake mix and reduced-fat cream cheese. This can help lower the calorie content while keeping the flavor intact.
- Meal Prep: These cookies are great for meal prep. You can make the dough ahead of time and freeze it. Just thaw and bake whenever you want freshly baked cookies.
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can freeze them for up to a month.
- Flavor Variations: For added flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg into the dough. You can also experiment with different types of sprinkles for variety.
Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe FAQ
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can easily make these cookies gluten-free by using a gluten-free cake mix. Ensure all other ingredients are also gluten-free.
Are these cookies suitable for diabetics?
You can make these cookies more diabetic-friendly by using a sugar-free cake mix and limiting the amount of powdered sugar used. Always consult with a healthcare professional for dietary advice tailored to individual needs.
How can I store leftover cookies?
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe container.
How can I customize these cookies?
Feel free to add mix-ins such as dark chocolate chips or nuts. You can also use different types of sprinkles or flavor extracts to customize these cookies to your liking.
CONCLUSION
The Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are a fantastic festive treat that is both simple to make and deliciously delightful. By incorporating healthier ingredients, you can enjoy these goodies as a lighter option during the holiday season. With their soft and gooey texture paired with cute holiday sprinkles, they are sure to be a hit at any gathering. Try this recipe, share your experience, and let us know how you customized these cookies for your festive table!
PrintChristmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies
Deliciously gooey and festive cookies perfect for holiday gatherings, made with yellow cake mix, cream cheese, and topped with colorful sprinkles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 box Yellow Cake Mix
- 1/2 cup Cream Cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup Butter, softened
- 1 Egg
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- Powdered Sugar for dusting
- Holiday Sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine the yellow cake mix, cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.
- Shape tablespoons of dough into balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Arrange the cookie balls on a lined baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
- Roll in powdered sugar and sprinkle with festive sprinkles.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
For a lighter version, use sugar-free cake mix and reduced-fat cream cheese. Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, festive treats, holiday desserts
