There’s something magical about cookies that are soft, rich, and just a little bit sticky in all the right places. The Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe hits that sweet spot perfectly—rich cream cheese and butter combine with a cake mix base, then you roll them in powdered sugar and festive sprinkles for a bite of holiday happiness. Trust me, these cookies will disappear faster than you can say “Santa’s snack!”
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
This Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is a go-to for me every holiday season—I love how it transforms simple pantry staples into a melt-in-your-mouth treat that feels like a warm hug. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to whip up, even when you’re juggling all the holiday chaos!
- Super Simple: Uses a boxed cake mix as the base, so no complex measuring or mixing required.
- Ooey and Gooey Texture: Thanks to the cream cheese and butter combo, these cookies stay soft and luscious.
- Beautiful Presentation: Rolled in powdered sugar and festive sprinkles, they’re perfect for gifting or your holiday cookie spread.
- Flexibility: You can swap the cake mix flavor or sprinkles to match any holiday or personal preference.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe plays a crucial role to create that perfect chewy, buttery texture with a subtle cake flavor. Here's what you need and why each component is important to nail that holiday vibe.
- Yellow Cake Mix: Using a cake mix gives you an instant base with wonderful flavor and structure—pick your favorite flavor to mix things up.
- Softened Butter: Butter adds richness and tenderness, helping the dough come together beautifully.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla elevates the taste and rounds out the sweetness perfectly.
- Softened Cream Cheese: This is the secret to the ooey gooey texture—the cream cheese keeps the cookies wonderfully moist and tender.
- Egg: Helps bind the dough and add a bit of lift for the perfect cookie shape.
- Powdered Sugar: Dipping the cookies in powdered sugar not only adds sweetness but also gives a snowy, festive look.
- Holiday Sprinkles: These are the fun touch—colors and shapes that make your cookies festive and visually irresistible.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe by swapping sprinkles or trying different cake mix flavors. It’s so forgiving and fun to customize — once you have the basics down, the sky’s the limit!
- Variation: For my peppermint lover friends, adding crushed candy canes into the sprinkles takes the cookies to a whole new festive level.
- Dairy-Free Version: Try using dairy-free cream cheese and vegan butter to make these cookies accessible for more diets without compromising gooeyness.
- Flavor Swaps: Chocolate or red velvet cake mixes work wonderfully if you want a twist on the classic yellow cake base.
- Extra Rich: Some folks add a handful of mini white chocolate chips into the dough—delicious if you want pockets of melty sweetness.
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 together the softened butter, cream cheese, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is fluffy and smooth. I find using a stand or hand mixer helps here—don’t rush, as getting it fully creamy makes a huge difference in the cookie texture.
Step 2: Mix in the Cake Mix
Next, sprinkle the entire box of cake mix into the wet mixture. Blend at medium speed until everything is well combined. Your dough should be soft but not too sticky—we want it to hold together nicely so it’s easy to roll.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Chill the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes up to an hour. This step firms up the dough which helps prevent spreading when baking. Plus, it gives you time to get other holiday prep done—win-win!
Step 4: Roll, Dip, and Coat
Roll the chilled dough into small balls, then roll each in holiday sprinkles followed by a dip in powdered sugar, making sure each cookie is completely coated. This double coating makes the cookies look festive and adds a lovely sugary crust.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are just turning golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This cooldown time helps them set without losing softness.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to get this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe just right—here are my favorite tips so your cookies come out perfect every time!
- Don’t Skip Chilling: The chilling step is key to controlling spread and achieving that soft center everyone loves.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Soft butter and cream cheese blend more easily, giving you a smooth dough and better texture.
- Measure Powdered Sugar Generously: A thorough coating on the outside creates a beautiful crackled look and adds delightful extra sweetness.
- Watch Your Oven Time: These cookies bake fast and go from perfect to overdone quickly—check at 10 minutes and adjust as needed.
How to Serve Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
My favorite garnish for these cookies is simple: holiday sprinkles in red, green, and white. They add a cheerful pop of color that makes the cookies irresistible. Sometimes, I add a pinch of edible glitter for an extra festive sparkle—great for parties!
Side Dishes
I like serving these alongside a rich hot chocolate or a warm mug of spiced eggnog—both drinks complement the buttery sweetness perfectly. If you’re hosting a cookie swap, pair them with some salty nuts or a sharp cheese platter to balance the flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, I love arranging these cookies on a festive platter lined with evergreen sprigs and a few cinnamon sticks—instantly makes the kitchen smell amazing and the table look inviting. Gift them in mason jars tied with red ribbon for an easy, heartfelt present.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, these cookies store best in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I usually layer them between sheets of parchment paper to keep the powdered sugar coating intact and prevent sticking.
Freezing
I’ve frozen the dough itself successfully by rolling it into balls and freezing them on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, just pop them straight onto the baking sheet (add a couple minutes to baking time) for fresh cookies anytime during the holidays.
Reheating
To warm up leftover Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies, I pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or briefly in a warm oven. This refreshes their soft, gooey texture beautifully without drying them out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! One of the best parts of this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is its versatility. You can use yellow, chocolate, red velvet, or even funfetti cake mix to give your cookies different flavors and colors. Just pick what you love or what fits the occasion.
Chilling the dough helps firm it up, reducing how much the cookies spread in the oven. This results in thicker, softer cookies with that classic ooey-gooey texture. Plus, it makes the dough easier to roll and coat in powdered sugar and sprinkles.
Absolutely! You can substitute dairy-free cream cheese and a vegan butter alternative to make this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe vegan or dairy-free. Just be sure to use a vegan cake mix or check the ingredients to keep it fully plant-based.
When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and soft for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freezing the dough or baked cookies works well and maintains their quality when reheated gently.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart—not just because they’re absolutely delicious but because they bring everyone together. Whether it’s the kids helping roll cookies or friends gathering around the kitchen, these treats spark joy and cozy memories. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do. Grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get baking for the sweetest season!
Print
Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies, a soft, buttery treat with a creamy cream cheese base, dusted with powdered sugar and colorful holiday sprinkles. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy winter treat.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup softened butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 1 egg
Coating
- Powdered sugar (for rolling)
- Holiday sprinkles (for rolling)
Instructions
- Mix wet ingredients: Beat together the softened butter, vanilla extract, egg, and softened cream cheese until the mixture is fluffy and well combined.
- Add cake mix: Gradually add in the yellow cake mix and blend until all ingredients are fully incorporated and form a soft dough.
- Chill dough: Place the dough in the refrigerator and chill for 1 hour to firm up and make it easier to handle.
- Form and coat cookies: Roll chilled dough into balls, dip each ball in holiday sprinkles, then roll them around in a bowl of powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Bake: Arrange the coated cookie balls on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden brown.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Make sure the butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature to ensure a smooth, creamy batter.
- Chilling the dough is essential for easier rolling and to prevent spreading during baking.
- Use festive sprinkles to enhance the holiday look and make these cookies perfect for gift-giving.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft and fresh for several days.
- You can substitute the yellow cake mix for any other cake mix flavor for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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