Festive Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

The Jolliest Ooey Gooey Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe Ever

Sweet holiday magic happens when classic butter cookies meet the irresistible magic of christmas ooey gooey butter cookies.

These melt-in-your-mouth treats capture the essence of festive indulgence.

Soft, rich, and delightfully decadent, they promise to become a seasonal favorite.

Powdered sugar dusts each cookie like a gentle winter snowfall.

The recipe blends simple ingredients into a delectable dessert that sparks joy.

Creamy and luxurious, these cookies deliver pure comfort in every heavenly bite.

Dive into this delicious holiday tradition that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Storage Tips For Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and soft texture.

  • Freezing Friendly: Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, store in freezer-safe bags for 2-3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding extra 1-2 minutes to cooking time.
  • Gift-Ready Packaging: Stack cookies between parchment paper layers in decorative holiday tins or clear cellophane bags with festive ribbons for charming homemade presents.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough up to 3 days before baking, refrigerating in sealed container. This technique allows flavors to develop and simplifies holiday baking preparation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 23

What You’ll Need For Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

For Base and Binding:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation and helps cookies hold their tender structure.
  • Cream Cheese: Adds luxurious tanginess and ensures extra soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and creates smooth, cohesive cookie dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic sweetness.
For Structural Components:
  • Cake Mix: Delivers quick, foolproof base with balanced sweetness and consistent texture.
For Decorative and Festive Elements:
  • Holiday Sprinkles, Powdered Sugar: Creates delightful visual appeal and festive winter wonderland look.

Tools To Bake Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining and mixing ingredients smoothly.
  • Electric Mixer or Hand Mixer: Perfect for beating butter and cream cheese to a fluffy consistency.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon: Helps create uniform 1-inch cookie balls.
  • Baking Sheets: Must-have for evenly baking cookies.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly without getting soggy.
  • Spatula: Useful for folding in sprinkles and scraping bowl sides.

Steps To Make Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

Steps To Make Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies
  • Dough Preparation

Magical mixing of soft butter and cream cheese creates a fluffy base. Blend in egg and vanilla until smooth. Gradually incorporate cake mix and sprinkle in holiday cheer. Cover and let the dough chill in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to mingle and develop.

  • Oven Warmup

Bring your oven to a cozy 350F. Prepare baking sheets with a light coating of grease or parchment paper.

  • Cookie Formation

Scoop out small balls of chilled dough. Give each cookie a playful roll in colorful sprinkles, then dust generously with powdered sugar for a winter wonderland effect.

  • Baking Magic

Arrange cookies on prepared sheets, leaving space between each sweet treat. Bake until edges turn golden and centers remain wonderfully soft. Let cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.

  • Festive Finish

Savor these melt-in-your-mouth delights immediately or package as heartwarming holiday gifts for loved ones.

Tips And Swaps For Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

  • Festive Flavor Boost: Add a dash of peppermint extract to the dough for a classic Christmas twist that'll make your cookies taste like holiday cheer.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing you to have fresh cookies ready at a moment's notice during busy holiday seasons.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap the traditional cake mix with a gluten-free vanilla cake mix to make these cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities without compromising on delicious flavor.
  • Dietary Modification: For a lower-sugar version, use a sugar-free cake mix and replace powdered sugar with a light dusting of sugar-free powdered sweetener to keep the festive coating.
  • Decorative Alternatives: Experiment with different holiday sprinkle colors or replace sprinkles with crushed candy canes, colored sanding sugar, or festive edible glitter to match your holiday theme and personal style.

Serving Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies With Joy

  • Holiday Party Platter: Arrange cookies on a festive Christmas-themed serving tray, surrounded by candy canes and small evergreen sprigs for a magical presentation.
  • Sweet Gift Packaging: Wrap cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons, perfect for homemade holiday gifts that spread cheer to neighbors and friends.
  • Dessert Pairing Magic: Serve alongside warm hot chocolate or creamy vanilla eggnog, creating a delightful combination that brings out the cookie's rich, buttery flavor and festive sprinkle charm.
  • Cookie Exchange Star: These cookies shine at holiday gatherings, offering a unique twist on traditional butter cookies that will have everyone asking for the recipe and requesting seconds.
Print
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Festive Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Festive Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 23 1x

Description

Irresistible christmas ooey gooey butter cookies blend creamy cream cheese with rich butter and festive powdered sugar. Holiday bakers will delight in these melt-in-your-mouth treats that bring sweet comfort to seasonal celebrations.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box white or yellow cake mix
  • 8 oz/226 g cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup/113 g unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup/60 g powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup/40 g holiday sprinkles (plus extra for rolling)

Instructions

  1. Creaming: In a spacious mixing bowl, whip softened butter and cream cheese until achieving a light, fluffy consistency. Blend in egg and vanilla essence until thoroughly incorporated.
  2. Dough Preparation: Methodically fold cake mix into the creamy base, ensuring complete integration. Gently incorporate holiday sprinkles throughout the mixture for festive flair.
  3. Chilling Process: Encase dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight) to enhance flavor development and structural integrity. This crucial step allows ingredients to harmonize and dough to firm.
  4. Preparation and Coating: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Craft compact one-inch dough spheres, first rolling in additional sprinkles, then generously coating with powdered sugar to create a luminous, snow-like exterior.
  5. Baking Technique: Arrange cookie orbs two inches apart on parchment-lined or lightly greased baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes, targeting set edges while maintaining a delicate, tender center.
  6. Cooling Protocol: Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes, promoting subtle stabilization. Carefully transfer to cooling rack, permitting complete temperature reduction.
  7. Serving Suggestion: Serve these decadent morsels fresh or package elegantly for festive gifting, celebrating the season’s sweet delights.

Notes

  • Butter Temperature Magic: Ensure butter and cream cheese are precisely softened at room temperature for seamless blending and optimal cookie texture.
  • Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate dough for minimum 60 minutes or overnight to enhance flavor complexity and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • Sprinkle Distribution Technique: Fold holiday sprinkles gently to prevent color bleeding and maintain vibrant, distinct festive appearance throughout cookies.
  • Powdered Sugar Coating Trick: Roll cookies generously in powdered sugar just before baking to create signature crackled, snow-like exterior and prevent excessive browning.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 23
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 140 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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