Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies: 5 Magical Bites

If there’s one cookie that can truly make your kitchen smell like a holiday hug, it’s Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies. Soft, chewy, buttery, and sprinkled with festive joy — these little snow-dusted treats are the kind that disappear from the cookie tray faster than Santa up the chimney.

Whether you’re baking with the kids, whipping up something quick for a cookie exchange, or just need a little sugar-powered comfort on a chilly December night, these cookies hit the sweet spot — every single time.

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Here’s the thing about Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies — they’re ridiculously easy to make but taste like you spent all afternoon fussing over them. The secret? A humble box of yellow cake mix, a little cream cheese magic, and a generous dusting of powdered sugar that makes each bite taste like a snowflake.

These cookies are:

• Buttery-soft in the center with slightly crisp edges
• Full of holiday cheer, thanks to those colorful sprinkles
• Made with pantry staples (and no fancy gadgets required!)
• Perfect for gifting — if they make it out of your kitchen

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need for a batch of gooey Christmas goodness:

• 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 of yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles (red, green, or even gold for some sparkle)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

How To Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

1. Preheat and prep.
Set your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking (and saves you from scrubbing later — holiday miracle, right?).

2. Mix the magic.
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla together using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.

3. Add the cake mix.
Stir in the yellow cake mix until a thick dough forms. Don’t worry if it feels a bit dense — that’s exactly how it should be.

4. Add a little sparkle.
Fold in the holiday sprinkles gently. You don’t want the colors bleeding into the dough unless you’re going for a “tie-dye Christmas” look.

5. Chill time.
Pop that dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Chilling makes it easier to handle (and keeps your cookies from spreading too much).

6. Roll and coat.
Scoop out dough into 1½-inch balls and roll each one generously in powdered sugar — the snowier, the better.

7. Bake to perfection.
Place the cookie balls about 2 inches apart on your baking sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes. The edges should look set, but the centers should still be soft and slightly gooey.

8. Cool and enjoy.
Let them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving to a wire rack. Then grab one (or three) while they’re still a little warm — pure bliss.

Aneta’s Kitchen Tip

Don’t stress if your dough seems sticky — that’s part of the gooey charm! A quick chill fixes everything. Also, if you want to switch things up, try different cake mix flavors — like red velvet or funfetti — for a colorful Christmas cookie platter.

These cookies also freeze beautifully, so you can make a batch ahead of time and bake fresh when guests stop by (or when that late-night sweet craving hits).

A Sweet Holiday Memory

I still remember the first time I made these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies — my kids were “helping” (which meant sneaking sprinkles every two minutes), and somehow, we ended up with flour footprints all over the kitchen floor. The cookies? Perfectly imperfect. And that’s exactly what makes them special.

Baking these cookies feels like pressing pause on the chaos and savoring a little moment of joy — one soft, buttery bite at a time.

FAQs About Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Bake the Joy

There’s something so special about baking Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies — the simplicity, the sweetness, the sparkle of sugar dust on your fingers. They’re soft, buttery, and perfectly festive, bringing comfort and cheer to every bite.

So, turn on your favorite holiday playlist, tie on that apron, and bake a little happiness this season. Because the best kind of Christmas magic starts right in your kitchen.

More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies, why stop there? Keep the holiday baking spirit alive with a few more cozy, crowd-pleasing recipes from Chicken Magic Recipes that pair perfectly with your festive cookie tray:

• Try these Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread — soft, pull-apart goodness filled with melty cheese that makes the perfect savory companion to your sweet cookies.
• For another fun and festive dessert, whip up Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles — they’re cute, creamy, and guaranteed to wow your holiday guests.
• If you love cookie swaps or gift boxes, don’t miss the Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies — packed with chocolate, pretzels, and all your favorite mix-ins for the ultimate holiday treat.
• And to balance all the sweetness, serve a warm plate of Christmas Sausage Rolls — buttery, flaky, and perfect for brunch or holiday snacking.

Each of these recipes adds a little extra magic to your Christmas table, whether you’re hosting, gifting, or simply indulging in a cozy baking weekend.

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