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How to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This will ensure that the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the ingredients together until smooth and fully incorporated. The dough will be thick and sticky, which is normal!
Step 2: Roll the Dough
Once your dough is ready, pour powdered sugar into a small bowl. Use a spoon to scoop out a heaping tablespoon of dough, and roll it into a ball using your hands. The dough will be sticky, so be sure to coat your hands with powdered sugar to make it easier to handle.
Roll each ball of dough in the powdered sugar until it’s completely covered. This gives the cookies their signature “crackled” look as they bake and adds a little extra sweetness to each bite.
Step 3: Bake the Cookies
Place the powdered-sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. The cookies will spread as they bake, so give them enough room to expand.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes. Keep a close eye on them—when the edges of the cookies start to set but the centers are still soft and slightly gooey, they’re done. You don’t want to overbake them, as they’ll lose their delicious gooey texture.
Step 4: Cool and Serve
Once the cookies are baked, let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The powdered sugar will form a beautiful crackly coating on top, giving the cookies their signature look.
Serve the cookies once they’ve cooled, and enjoy the soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and buttery flavor.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
- Don’t Overbake: The key to these cookies is ensuring they’re soft and gooey in the middle. Don’t wait until the edges are fully browned; they should look slightly underbaked when you take them out of the oven. They’ll continue to cook a bit as they cool.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): If the dough is too sticky to handle, you can chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour. This will make it easier to roll into balls and coat with powdered sugar.
- Flavor Variations: Try experimenting with different cake mixes. Lemon cake mix would give the cookies a refreshing citrusy twist, while a chocolate cake mix would create a richer, more decadent flavor.
- Use Festive Sprinkles: If you’re baking these for a holiday party or cookie exchange, add some red and green sprinkles on top of the dough balls before baking for a little extra holiday cheer.
- Storing Leftovers: These cookies stay soft and gooey for several days. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze the dough balls (before baking) for up to 3 months. Just roll them in powdered sugar and bake them fresh when you’re ready to enjoy them!
Serving Suggestions
These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are perfect for any holiday gathering. They make a great addition to a cookie platter and pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or even a cold glass of milk.
If you’re looking to elevate your holiday dessert spread, serve these cookies alongside other festive treats such as:
- Sugar cookies decorated with royal icing
- Chocolate crinkle cookies
- Peppermint bark
- Mini cheesecakes with fruit topping
Final Thoughts
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a deliciously easy and festive treat that will quickly become a holiday favorite. With their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet, buttery flavor, they’re sure to impress everyone from family members to party guests. The simple ingredients and minimal prep time make them perfect for busy holiday baking sessions, and their crackled powdered sugar finish gives them a beautifully rustic and festive look.
So, the next time you’re in the kitchen during the holidays, give these Gooey Butter Cookies a try—you’ll be amazed at how quickly they disappear!
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