There’s nothing like a cookie that’s soft, buttery, and just melts in your mouth — that’s exactly what you get with this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe. These cookies are a foolproof way to make your holiday baking extra special, with a lovely festive touch that’s sure to impress friends and family.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I honestly can’t get enough of these cookies during the holidays. They’re just so easy to make, and trust me, the ooey gooey texture keeps everyone coming back for more. Plus, they look delightful with all those holiday sprinkles rolled in powdered sugar—perfect for cozy celebrations.
- Super Simple to Make: Using a cake mix as the base cuts out so much prep time and guesswork.
- Buttery and Soft Texture: Thanks to cream cheese and butter, these cookies stay tender and almost melt on your tongue.
- Festive and Eye-Catching: Holiday sprinkles and powdered sugar give them that extra sparkle that’s fun to look at and enjoy.
- Perfect Make-Ahead Treats: You can prepare the dough earlier and bake when ready, which is a lifesaver during busy holiday days.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe has a purpose that contributes to the cookie’s incredible texture and flavor. Choosing a good-quality cake mix and softened dairy really makes a difference, so keep an eye out for those!
- Yellow Cake Mix: The base of the cookie, providing sweetness and structure without needing extra flour or sugar.
- Softened Butter: Adds richness and helps create the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor profile, bringing warmth and depth to the cookies.
- Softened Cream Cheese: This is the secret weapon for ooey gooey softness and a slight tangy richness.
- Egg: Helps bind ingredients and adds a bit of lift for the perfect cookie shape.
- Powdered Sugar: For coating the cookies, which makes the exterior slightly crisp but soft at the same time.
- Holiday Sprinkles: Adds festive cheer and delightful crunch without overpowering the cookie.
Make It Your Way
I like to switch things up depending on the occasion—sometimes I swap the yellow cake mix for a red velvet or spice mix for a different holiday vibe. You can also play with mix-ins or coatings to personalize your batch and make the recipe truly yours.
- Variation: Using a chocolate cake mix adds an indulgent twist — I once tried it with peppermint extract instead of vanilla, and it was a festive hit!
- Dietary Modification: For a gluten-free option, pick a gluten-free cake mix to keep these cookies just as irresistible.
- Color Fun: Swap holiday sprinkles for themed colors year-round—birthday parties love this my way.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese, Egg, and Vanilla
Start by beating the softened butter, cream cheese, egg, and vanilla until the mixture is beautifully fluffy and smooth. I usually use an electric mixer for this step—if you mix by hand, just take your time. This ensures the rich, creamy base that gives these cookies their signature texture.
Step 2: Add the Cake Mix and Blend
Next, add your chosen cake mix to the creamed base and stir until just combined. The dough will be fairly soft, so don't overmix, or it could toughen the cookies. The batter’s consistency is like thick cookie dough—perfect for rolling.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Pop the dough into the fridge for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Chill time is essential—it helps the dough firm up, making it much easier to roll into balls and preventing them from spreading too thin during baking.
Step 4: Roll, Dip, and Coat with Sprinkles and Powdered Sugar
Now here’s the fun part: roll the chilled dough into small balls, then gently roll each ball in festive sprinkles. After that, dip them in powdered sugar until coated thoroughly. This double coating gives you that classic crackly, snow-dusted look on each cookie.
Step 5: Bake to Ooey Gooey Perfection
Bake your cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes until just the edges begin to turn light golden brown. Don’t overbake! Remove them from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes—this resting time really lets the cookies set up to that perfect ooey gooey texture.
Top Tip
Having made these cookies countless times, I’ve learned a few tricks that keep every batch just right. It’s easy to overbake and lose that ooey gooey magic, so staying in tune with timing is key.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened butter and cream cheese blend much easier and create a smoother dough.
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip this step even if you’re eager to bake. It helps maintain cookie shape and texture.
- Watch the Oven Closely: Bake until edges just start browning — underbaking slightly is okay for that gooey center.
- Rolling Technique: Rolling in sprinkles first helps them stick better to the dough before the powdered sugar coats everything.
How to Serve Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For me, the holiday sprinkles are a must—they add color, fun, and a little crunch! Sometimes I like to dust a little extra powdered sugar on top right after baking for that freshly snow-dusted look. A small dollop of whipped cream beside the cookie isn’t bad either if you’re serving for a dessert tray.
Side Dishes
I love pairing these cookies with warm drinks like hot cocoa, spiced apple cider, or even just a simple glass of milk. They’re perfect with coffee for a cozy afternoon coffee break too—sometimes I’ll bring a plate of these along to holiday gatherings and watch them disappear fast!
Creative Ways to Present
One fun way I like to present these cookies is in a glass jar layered with holiday-themed ribbon and a handwritten tag. It’s an easy gift idea for neighbors or coworkers. For parties, arrange them on doilies atop a festive cake stand to create a welcoming, seasonal centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 5 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house! Make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to keep sprinkles from sticking and cookies from squishing.
Freezing
I’ve frozen the dough before with great success—just roll the dough balls, freeze them on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time. This makes your holiday prep so much easier!
Reheating
To bring leftovers back to that freshly baked warmth, I pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm them briefly in a low oven (300°F) for 5 minutes. They taste almost like they just came out of the oven — soft and gooey every time.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! The recipe is very flexible. I’ve tried chocolate, red velvet, and spice cake mixes, and each variation brings a unique and delicious twist. Just stick to one box of cake mix and adjust sprinkles to match the flavor if you want.
The cream cheese and butter combination is key. Also, chilling the dough before baking helps maintain a soft center. Be careful not to overbake — pull the cookies out once the edges just start to brown for that perfect ooey gooey texture.
Yes! In fact, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes improves the texture. You can also freeze the dough balls and bake them later — just add a couple minutes to the baking time when baking from frozen.
They keep best in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. If you want longer storage, freeze the baked cookies — just thaw at room temperature or warm slightly before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe has been part of many holiday memories for me, from baking with friends to wrapping up warm while the scent of fresh cookies fills the house. It’s easy, comforting, and festive all at once. I hope you try it and find it as heartwarming and joyful as I do — it’s one of those recipes that turns moments into sweet memories.
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Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in festive cheer with Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies, a soft and buttery treat infused with cream cheese and holiday sprinkles. These easy-to-make cookies combine a box of cake mix with rich ingredients to create a melt-in-your-mouth experience perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup softened butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 1 large egg
- powdered sugar (for coating)
- holiday sprinkles (for rolling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Beat together the softened butter, vanilla extract, egg, and softened cream cheese in a large bowl until the mixture is fluffy and fully combined.
- Mix in Cake Mix: Add the yellow cake mix to the cream cheese mixture and blend until well incorporated into a smooth dough.
- Chill the Dough: Place the dough in the refrigerator and chill for 1 hour to firm up and make it easier to handle.
- Form and Coat Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into balls, then dip each ball into holiday sprinkles followed by rolling in powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the coated cookie balls on a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove cookies from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for easier mixing and smoother dough.
- Chilling the dough for the full hour helps prevent spreading during baking.
- Use festive holiday sprinkles to add a colorful and seasonal touch to the cookies.
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a richer flavor, try using flavored cake mix such as cinnamon or spice during the holidays.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
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