Description
These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive and indulgent treat perfect for the holiday season. Soft, buttery, and rich with a cream cheese-based dough and coated in powdered sugar, these cookies are topped with colorful red and green sprinkles that add a cheerful touch. They bake to a delicate crumb with a gooey center, making them an irresistible addition to any cookie tray or holiday gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
Coating and Decoration
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Red and green sprinkles (for decorating)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps for a uniform texture.
- Add the egg and vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter and cream cheese mixture, mixing thoroughly until fully combined.
- Incorporate the cake mix: Gradually add the yellow cake mix to the wet ingredients, stirring until a thick, cohesive dough forms that is easy to handle.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough tightly and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. This step firms up the dough, making it easier to shape into balls.
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Shape and coat the cookies: Roll tablespoon-sized portions of chilled dough into balls. Then roll each ball in powdered sugar evenly coating the surface to create a sweet, crackled exterior.
- Arrange and decorate: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Press a few red and green sprinkles onto the top of each ball for a festive look.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set and lightly golden but the centers remain soft and gooey. Do not overbake to maintain the signature ooey gooey texture.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, enjoy or store them in an airtight container.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and to achieve the perfect chewy texture.
- Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Do not overbake; the centers should remain soft for the characteristic gooey texture.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough.
