Description
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive and indulgent treat perfect for holiday gatherings. With a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich, gooey center, these cookies are a variation of the classic gooey butter cake, originating in St. Louis, Missouri. Their buttery sweetness, combined with a powdered sugar coating, makes them an irresistible holiday treat. Simple to prepare and sure to please everyone, they are perfect for gifting or enjoying with family and friends.
Ingredients
- 1 box of yellow cake mix
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, for rolling
- Extra powdered sugar, for dusting after baking (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, and egg until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and vegetable oil, then mix again until fully combined.
- Add the cake mix: Slowly add the yellow cake mix to the wet ingredients, stirring until fully incorporated. The dough will be thick and sticky, which is normal.
- Shape the cookies: Scoop out about 1 to 1 1/2 inches of dough and roll it into balls. Roll each dough ball generously in powdered sugar to coat it evenly.
- Bake: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden, but the centers remain soft and gooey. Keep a close eye on them, as you want the cookies to stay gooey in the center.
- Cool and enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, dust with extra powdered sugar for an added festive touch.
Notes
- Don’t overbake: These cookies are best when the centers are still soft and gooey, so be sure to remove them from the oven when the edges are golden, but the middle is still a little
- underdone.Chill the dough: If the dough is too sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to make rolling the dough easier.
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Alternatively, freeze them for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Holiday Treat
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Holiday Baking
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Gooey Butter Cake Cookies, Christmas Baking, Easy Christmas Cookies