gooey butter cookies recipe easy
These scrumptious cookies offer a fun twist on the classic gooey butter cake, reimagined in cookie form! Thanks to the cream cheese, they’re incredibly soft, and they’re one of my go-to cake mix cookie bases. In fact, my strawberry kiss cookies also use the same base.
I love adding colorful sprinkles for the holidays to make them extra festive. They’re so easy to make, which is why I always rely on them for holiday cookie exchanges or when I need a quick treat. If you're a fan of the gooey butter cake, these cookies will quickly become a favorite. You won’t be able to stop munching on them!
Ingredients needed
Quick and easy cake mix Christmas cookies with plenty of festive color. You're going to love this fun and festive recipe. we will need :
- 113 g salted butter, softened
- 300 g granulated sugar
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ⅓ cup Christmas sprinkles
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 282 g all-purpose flour
- 126g confectioners' sugar, divided
they’re easy to make and perfect for holiday cookie exchanges.
How to Make the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar with a hand mixer until smooth and well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.

Next, sift in the flour, baking powder, and ½ cup of powdered sugar. Mix on low speed, gradually combining the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Stir the christmas sprinkles. Let your dough chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour or overnight. This ensures that your easy Christmas cookies hold their shape during baking.
Scoop out the dough using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, then roll each piece in the remaining ½ cup of powdered sugar. Place around six dough balls on each prepared baking sheet, spacing them out evenly. Lightly press down on each dough ball using the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass.
Bake the cookies for 8-11 minutes, or until the tops no longer appear shiny or wet. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Which Sprinkles Should You Choose?
Sprinkles not only make your Christmas cookies look festive but also add a fun and playful element to your cookie creations. But which type of sprinkles work best for cookies?
- Jimmies: These classic, rod-shaped sprinkles are great for adding vibrant color and a touch of sweetness to your cookies. They maintain their shape and color while baking, making them a top choice for these cookies.
- Nonpareils: These small, round sprinkles provide a unique look and a satisfying crunch to your favorite Christmas cookies. While they tend to dissolve into the dough during baking (which might not be ideal), they can still be used if that's what you have available!
You can add red, white, and green crinkle sprinkle and food colaring to obt this result .

Pro Tips for Perfect Cookies
Opt for full-fat block cream cheese: For the best texture, choose full-fat block cream cheese instead of the spreadable variety, which can make the dough too soft :
Use room temperature ingredients: Allow the butter and cream cheese to soften to room temperature before mixing. This ensures a smoother dough.
Space dough balls evenly: Arrange the dough balls at least 2 inches apart on the baking sheet to give them enough room to spread out while baking.
Coat well in powdered sugar: Roll the dough balls thoroughly in powdered sugar to achieve the best crackled effect once they bake.
Tags
CAKE RECIPE