Name: Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix; 1/2 cup softened butter; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 8 ounces softened cream cheese; 1 large egg; powdered sugar (for coating); holiday sprinkles (for rolling)

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.

The image shows a stack of four round cookies on a white plate. Each cookie is light yellow with a rough texture and is covered in red, green, and white sprinkles that stick out in small rod shapes, giving the cookies a festive look. One cookie leans against the stack, showing its full round shape and colorful sprinkle topping. In the background, there is another cookie on a metal baking tray, slightly out of focus, resting on a white marbled surface. A white and red striped cloth is partly visible at the bottom right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

A close-up of three soft, round cookies on a white plate, each covered in red, green, and white sprinkles that add texture and color. One cookie is slightly broken, showing its light yellow soft inside with a crumbly texture. The cookies have a slightly bumpy surface from the thick layer of sprinkles that cover the entire top and edges. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, making the bright colors of the sprinkles stand out. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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!

Flat lay of a small mound of fine yellow cake mix, a half cup of soft pale yellow butter shaped into a smooth square, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, an 8-ounce block of creamy white cream cheese, a single whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl filled with powdered sugar, and a handful of festive holiday sprinkles in red, green, and white colors scattered artistically around, all arranged with perfect symmetry on simple white ceramic bowls and plates, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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

Christmas Ooey Gooey Cookies - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I use other flavors of cake mix for this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe?

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.

What’s the secret to getting the cookies so soft and gooey?

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.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

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.

Do these cookies keep well after baking?

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.