Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a delightful treat that combines a soft, chewy texture with a rich, buttery flavor. These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings and are often adorned with festive decorations to make them even more special!
Ingredients List
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for added flavor)
- 1 box (about 15.25 oz) cake mix (vanilla or yellow)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Topping:
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar (for rolling)
- Sprinkles or colored sugar (for decoration, optional)
Timing
Making Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies is quick and easy! Here’s a breakdown of the timing:
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Chilling Time: 30 minutes (optional, but recommended)
- Baking Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream Cheese and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until well combined.
- Add Cake Mix and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the cake mix, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined. The dough will be thick and sticky.
Step 2: Chill the Dough (Optional)
- Chill: For easier handling, cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step is optional but helps the cookies hold their shape better.
Step 3: Shape and Bake the Cookies
- Scoop Dough: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop out portions of dough and roll them into balls.
- Coat in Powdered Sugar: Roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated, then place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4: Decorate (Optional)
- Add Sprinkles: While the cookies are still warm, you can sprinkle additional colored sugar or sprinkles on top for a festive touch.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a rough estimate of the nutritional content per cookie (based on a recipe yielding about 24 cookies):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 130 |
| Total Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Cholesterol | 30mg |
| Sodium | 90mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 17g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 10g |
| Protein | 1g |
Tips for Success
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for a smooth batter.
- Do Not Overbake: Cookies will continue to cook slightly after being removed from the oven, so take them out when they are just set.
- Customize: Feel free to add festive flavors like peppermint extract or chocolate chips for variation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overmixing the Dough: Mix just until combined to avoid tough cookies.
- Not Chilling the Dough: Chilling helps the cookies maintain their shape and improves texture.
Storing Tips
- Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: You can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Conclusion
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a festive and delicious treat that will bring joy to your holiday celebrations. With their soft, gooey texture and buttery flavor, these cookies are sure to be a hit!
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Yes! You can use chocolate, red velvet, or any other flavor of cake mix for different variations.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can use a gluten-free cake mix to make these cookies gluten-free.
How can I make these cookies more festive?
Add colored sprinkles to the powdered sugar for rolling, or drizzle with melted chocolate after baking.
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
12 minutes
Total Time:
27 minutes
Ingredients
- For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for added flavor)
- 1 box (about 15.25 oz) cake mix (vanilla or yellow)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- For the Topping:
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar (for rolling)
- Sprinkles or colored sugar (for decoration, optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream Cheese and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until well combined.
- Add Cake Mix and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the cake mix, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined. The dough will be thick and sticky.
Step 2: Chill the Dough (Optional)
- Chill: For easier handling, cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step is optional but helps the cookies hold their shape better.
Step 3: Shape and Bake the Cookies
- Scoop Dough: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop out portions of dough and roll them into balls.
- Coat in Powdered Sugar: Roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated, then place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4: Decorate (Optional)
- Add Sprinkles: While the cookies are still warm, you can sprinkle additional colored sugar or sprinkles on top for a festive touch.
