Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

Get ready to bake the merriest, softest, and most irresistible holiday cookies ever! These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth delicious with their crackly powdered-sugar coating, festive colors, and signature buttery center. They’re the perfect quick treat for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or cozy nights by the tree. One bowl, simple ingredients, big Christmas magic.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
• Optional Mix-Ins: Christmas sprinkles, red/green sanding sugar, white chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Prep
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream together
   Beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth, fluffy, and lump-free.
3. Add wet ingredients
   Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes silky and fully combined.
4. Add cake mix
   Pour in the yellow cake mix and mix on low until a thick, sticky dough forms.
5. Chill
   Refrigerate the dough for 30–60 minutes to make rolling easier and prevent overly flat cookies.
6. Form cookies
   Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough, roll into a ball, and coat generously in powdered sugar.
   If using sprinkles, roll right after coating or mix them directly into the dough.
7. Bake
   Place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
   Bake 10–12 minutes, until puffed with soft centers and lightly crackled tops.
8. Cool
   Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish setting.

Variation

• Peppermint Crunch Gooey Cookies – Stir in crushed candy canes or peppermint chips for a cool, refreshing holiday twist that pairs beautifully with the buttery dough.
• Red Velvet Ooey Gooey Cookies – Swap the yellow cake mix for red velvet cake mix to create striking crimson cookies perfect for Christmas trays.
• White Chocolate Mistletoe Cookies – Fold in white chocolate chips for extra sweetness and a creamier gooey center.
• Funfetti Christmas Cookies – Add 1/3 cup of festive sprinkles inside the dough for colorful pops baked right into every bite.
• Gingerbread Spice Version – Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon + 1/2 teaspoon ginger + 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg to bring cozy holiday spice vibes.

Cooking Notes

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