Gooey Butter Cookies

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Favorites.

Blend cream cheese, butter, and cake mix. Roll in powdered sugar, bake 20 mins, then enjoy.
Aisha
Updated on Sun, 23 Mar 2025 17:25:40 GMT
A plate holding colorful cookies with sprinkles, set near a powdered sugar bowl and holiday lights in the back. Pin it
A plate holding colorful cookies with sprinkles, set near a powdered sugar bowl and holiday lights in the back. | cookingflavor.com

My go-to treat for holiday cookie swaps has to be these super soft homemade butter cookies! I found this gem when Christmas had me running around like crazy and I needed something fast that would wow everyone. Now they're always the first gone at gatherings. Something magical happens when you mix cream cheese with cake mix - they turn into these incredible cookies that just dissolve on your tongue, and folks always ask me how I made them.

What Makes These Cookies Special

These cookies come together so fast with just a handful of ingredients! They've got this amazing softness from the cream cheese that makes them literally melt as you eat them. The holiday sprinkles make them look straight out of a fancy shop, even though they're super easy. I really love that you can change up the colors for any celebration throughout the year!

Ingredients

  • The Foundations:
    • 8 oz block cream cheese (full-fat), room temperature
    • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • The Additions:
    • 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
    • 1/2 cup powdered sugar for rolling
    • 1/3 cup Christmas sprinkles
  • Tools You'll Need:
    • Large mixing bowl
    • Electric mixer
    • Cookie scoop
    • Baking sheets
    • Parchment paper

Step-by-Step Instructions

Set Up Kitchen
Warm your oven to 350°F. Put parchment on your baking sheets. Double check that your cream cheese and butter are completely soft - this really matters!
Create The Foundation
Whip your cream cheese with butter until it's light and airy, roughly 3 minutes. Mix in egg and vanilla until everything's combined smoothly.
Combine Dry Components
Gradually add cake mix while mixing on low speed. Don't worry if the dough feels sticky and thick - that's exactly what you want!
Add Your Sprinkles
Carefully fold those festive sprinkles into the mix. Go easy so the colors don't run throughout the dough.
Let It Rest
Cool your dough in the fridge for 30 minutes. This step helps with handling and stops the cookies from spreading too much.
Form Your Cookies
Use your scoop to make 1½-inch balls, then roll them in powdered sugar until coated completely. Place them on your sheets with 2 inches between each.
Bake Until Just Right
Cook for 10-12 minutes until the edges firm up but centers still look soft. Let them sit on the pan for 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack.

Insider Tricks

Always go for the solid block cream cheese, not the stuff in tubs. Don't rush the chilling step - it really affects how they turn out. Keep a close eye on them while baking; they should look a bit underdone when you pull them out. Let them cool all the way before you pack them up or stack them.

Delicious festive cookies dusted with powdered sugar and decorated with red and green sprinkles, displayed on a white serving plate. Pin it
Delicious festive cookies dusted with powdered sugar and decorated with red and green sprinkles, displayed on a white serving plate. | cookingflavor.com

Different Twists

You can swap in other cake mix flavors - chocolate works amazing, so does red velvet or funfetti! Change your sprinkle colors to match any holiday. I sometimes throw in a teaspoon of peppermint extract during Christmas season or go with almond extract when I want something different.

Keeping Them Fresh

These yummy treats stay good for 3 days in an airtight container at room temp. Put wax paper between layers so they don't stick together. You can freeze them too - just let them thaw naturally when you're ready to serve them!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why does the dough need chilling?
It helps stop the dough from sticking to your hands. The cream cheese keeps it soft until chilled.
→ What if it's sticky after chilling?
Dust your hands lightly with powdered sugar. If it's still sticky, chill a bit more. Avoid adding extra cake mix.
→ How can I tell when they're baked?
Look for set edges, but soft middles. They firm up as they cool.
→ Why use regular cream cheese?
Lower-fat cream cheese changes the texture and makes the cookies spread too much. Stick to full-fat for best results.
→ Can I freeze the dough?
Yes! Form into balls first, freeze on a tray, then store. Roll in powdered sugar right before baking.

Conclusion

Easy and tasty cookies for the holiday season, with just a handful of ingredients.

Gooey Butter Cookies

Creamy, tender cookies made with cake mix and cream cheese, topped with festive sprinkles.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes
By: Aicha

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 32 Servings (32 cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1/2 cup soft butter.
02 1 large egg.
03 8 oz softened cream cheese.
04 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
05 1 box of yellow cake mix.
06 1/2 cup powdered sugar.
07 1/2 cup festive sprinkles.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F. Lay parchment paper on your baking trays.

Step 02

Whisk the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and egg until they're creamy.

Step 03

Stir in the cake mix to form a thick dough, then carefully mix in the sprinkles.

Step 04

Let the dough rest in the fridge for half an hour to stiffen.

Step 05

Form 1.5-inch balls and roll them around in powdered sugar.

Step 06

Space cookies out by 2 inches. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers are still soft.

Notes

  1. Always use full-fat cream cheese.
  2. Stays fresh at room temp for up to 3 days.
  3. Can be frozen for as long as 3 months.

Tools You'll Need

  • Cookie sheets.
  • Mixer, electric preferred.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.
  • Egg-based.
  • Includes wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 103
  • Total Fat: 4 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 16 g
  • Protein: 2 g