Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies: Soft, Sweet & Full of Holiday Magic

Last Updated on November 10, 2025 by Chef Josie

These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are the softest, chewiest, most irresistible cookies of the holiday season! Bursting with buttery flavor and festive red and green sprinkles, they melt in your mouth with every bite. Made with cream cheese and cake mix, they’re a simple yet show-stopping addition to your holiday cookie trays and Christmas dessert spreads.

If you’re searching for an easy cookie that looks merry, tastes incredible, and disappears fast, this recipe is it.

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Why You’ll Love These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

• Melt-in-your-mouth soft: Buttery and gooey inside with a delicate sugar-dusted crust.
• Festive flair: Red and green sprinkles make them instantly Christmas-ready.
• Quick and simple: Uses cake mix for easy prep.
• Perfect for gifting: Holds up beautifully in cookie boxes and tins.
• Freezer-friendly: Great for baking ahead during the busy holiday rush.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup red and green sprinkles or jimmies
• ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and cream cheese: In a large bowl, beat together until smooth and fluffy.
3. Add wet ingredients: Mix in the egg and vanilla until fully combined.
4. Add cake mix: Gradually blend in cake mix until a thick dough forms.
5. Add sprinkles: Fold in festive sprinkles.
6. Shape cookies: Scoop 1-tablespoon portions of dough and roll into balls.
7. Coat in sugar: Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar.
8. Bake: Arrange on prepared sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers are soft.
9. Cool: Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.

Notes and Top Tips

• Chill dough for 30 minutes if it’s too sticky to roll.
• Don’t overbake; the cookies will continue to set as they cool.
• Use gel food coloring in the dough for even more holiday cheer.
• Substitute the yellow cake mix with vanilla, white, or funfetti cake mix.
• Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

These Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are perfect for Christmas cookie platters, holiday parties, or last-minute gifts.

Fun Variations:

• Chocolate Gooey Cookies: Use chocolate cake mix and add white chocolate chips.
• Peppermint Twist: Add crushed candy canes to the dough.
• Grinch Version: Use green food coloring and a single red heart sprinkle.
• Red Velvet Gooey Cookies: Swap in red velvet cake mix and dust with powdered sugar.

Storage and Freezing Tips

• Room Temperature: Store in airtight containers up to 5 days.
• Refrigerator: Keeps up to 10 days for extra freshness.
• Freeze Dough: Shape into balls, freeze on a tray, then store up to 3 months.
• Freeze Baked Cookies: Cool completely and store between parchment layers for up to 2 months.

Why You’ll Make Them Again

These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are everything a holiday cookie should be: rich, tender, colorful, and unforgettable. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive flair, they bring instant joy to any celebration. Perfect for gifting, sharing, or sneaking straight off the cooling rack, these cookies are bound to become a new family favorite holiday recipe.

FAQs

1. Why are my cookies too flat?
Your dough might be too warm; chill it before rolling and baking.

2. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking.

3. Do I have to use cake mix?
Cake mix gives these cookies their signature soft texture, but you can use homemade yellow cake base if preferred.

4. How do I keep them gooey?
Take them out of the oven when they’re slightly underbaked; they’ll set perfectly as they cool.

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