Say hello to the ultimate holiday cookie! These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies aren’t just another dessert; they’re a story of buttery softness, sprinkles of joy, and cake-mix magic all in one bite. Whether you’re preparing for a cozy family gathering or making a treat box to give as gifts, these cookies are just what you need. Plus, they’re shockingly simple to make. So, grab your aprons and let’s add some serious sparkle to your season.
Table of content
- About The Recipe
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- How to Make the Recipe(Step-by-Step)
- Expert Tips for Success
- Variations and Customizations
- Nutritional Information
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Recipe Card
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Comments & Reviews
- Social Sharing Options
About The Best Ever Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies for the Holidays Recipe
Thinking of the holidays makes me imagine warm lights, laughter, and, of course, cookies! Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies hold a special place because they’re much more than just cookies—they’re an explosion of holiday cheer in every bite! The base? A simple white cake mix. Mix that with cream cheese for smoothness, butter for richness, and sprinkles for that festive vibe, and you’ll have a cookie platter everyone will love. Originating as a twist on the classic ooey gooey butter cake from St. Louis, these cookies feel like they were made for December vibes. But here’s the cool part: no advanced baking skills needed—just a love for cookies and a festive spirit. Whether it’s decorating the tree or binge-watching holiday classics, these cookies pair perfectly with the magic of Christmas.Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft, buttery texture that’s irresistibly moist
- Festive and colorful, thanks to vibrant holiday sprinkles
- Uses a white cake mix for easy preparation
- Perfect for cookie exchanges and holiday parties
- Kid-friendly baking fun for the entire family
- Simple ingredients you likely already have
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature; can substitute salted butter but adjust salt
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature; no substitutes recommended for original flavor
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, optional; substitute vanilla extract if preferred
- 1/2 teaspoon orange extract, optional for a citrusy touch
- 1 package white cake mix
- 1/2 cup sprinkles, divided; use your favorite holiday-themed ones
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
How to Make the Recipe (Step-by-Step)
- Cream butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add egg and extracts (if using); mix well.
- Mix in white cake mix to form dough.
- Fold in 1/4 cup sprinkles evenly.
- Chill dough for 1-24 hours to firm.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Prepare separate bowls for powdered sugar and extra sprinkles.
- Form 1-inch dough balls, coat with sprinkles then powdered sugar.
- Space cookies on a greased baking sheet, bake for 10 minutes.
- Cool cookies on sheet for 2 minutes, transfer to rack.
Expert Tips for Success
Always use room-temperature butter and cream cheese for smooth mixing.
Chilling the dough is key—don’t skip this step or your cookies will be sticky to handle.
Be light-handed while folding in sprinkles; over-mixing can cause colors to bleed.
Use a cookie scoop to get consistent sizes and even baking.
Dust hands with powdered sugar if dough sticks while rolling.
Variations and Customizations
Want these cookies to fit a different holiday or party theme? Just swap the sprinkle colors to match the occasion (pastels for Easter, red and blue for the Fourth of July). For a flavor twist, you could add 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract for a minty surprise. If you’re aiming for a more decadent treat, drizzle melted white chocolate over the baked cookies—it’s amazing!
Nutritional Information
Each cookie packs about 150 calories, making it a satisfying sweet treat during the holidays. With 19g of carbs and 8g of fats, it’s energy-filled without being too indulgent. These cookies also deliver 2g of protein and only 105mg of sodium, so you don’t have to feel too guilty indulging in more than one. The cream cheese adds a boost of calcium, and though it’s a dessert, it’s absolutely worth the calories for the happiness they bring.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Once cooled, place the cookies in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate them for a week’s freshness. If you want to prepare in advance, you can freeze the dough—just roll it into balls, freeze them on a sheet, and store them in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw the dough balls in the fridge overnight. Reheating isn’t necessary, but if you like them slightly warm, give them 10 seconds in the microwave.
Recipe Card of Best Ever Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies for the Holidays
Ingredients list
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract optional
- 1/2 teaspoon orange extract optional
- 1 package white cake mix
- 1/2 cup sprinkles divided
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Begin by placing the unsalted butter and cream cheese in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, cream the ingredients together until they achieve a smooth, homogenous texture.
- Add the egg to the creamed mixture, followed by the almond and orange extracts if desired. Continue to mix until these ingredients are fully integrated.
- Gradually introduce the white cake mix to the bowl, mixing continuously to ensure that the dry mix is completely absorbed into the wet ingredients, forming a cohesive dough.
- Fold in one-quarter cup of the sprinkles into the dough until evenly distributed.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough. It is recommended to chill the dough for at least one hour, or up to 24 hours, which will facilitate easier handling by reducing stickiness.
- Prior to baking, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the powdered sugar in one bowl and the remaining one-quarter cup of sprinkles in another. These will be used for coating the cookies.
- Using a one-inch cookie scoop, extract portions of the chilled dough and roll them into balls. First, sprinkle each ball with a few of the reserved sprinkles, then roll them in the powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Arrange the coated dough balls on a greased cookie sheet, ensuring they are spaced apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for two minutes after removal from the oven. Subsequently, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Recipe Video
Notes
Nutrition
All Your Questions About This Recipe
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes, but it will slightly change the flavor. Vanilla or yellow cake mix works great!
Do I have to use sprinkles?
No, but they add a festive touch! You can skip if preferred.
Why chill the dough?
Chilling makes the dough less sticky and helps cookies hold their shape.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, with a gluten-free cake mix, though the texture might vary slightly.