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The Ultimate Easy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies (Made with Cake Mix)

Close-up of four christmas gooey butter cookies dusted with powdered sugar and topped with red and green sprinkles.
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Make these soft, chewy, and festive Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies using yellow cake mix for an incredibly easy holiday treat. They melt in your mouth and are perfect for cookie exchanges.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 box (16 oz) powdered sugar, divided
  • 1/2 cup red and green sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix the cake mix, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until a soft dough forms. This is your base layer.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the second egg, the second teaspoon of vanilla extract, and half of the powdered sugar (about 8 oz). Beat until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. This is your gooey layer.
  4. Roll the cake mix dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheets.
  5. Press a small indentation into the center of each dough ball using your thumb or the back of a small spoon.
  6. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into the indentation of each dough ball.
  7. Sprinkle the tops generously with red and green sprinkles.
  8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly set but the center still looks soft. Do not overbake; you want them gooey.
  9. Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Once cooled, lightly dust the cookies with the remaining powdered sugar before serving or storing.

Notes

  • For extra festive color, you can use sanding sugar instead of regular sprinkles on top.
  • These cookies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
  • If you want a slightly firmer cookie, bake for an additional minute or two, but remember the goal is a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/christmas-gooey-butter-cookies/