Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies, featuring a rich blend of cream cheese and butter combined with yellow cake mix for an irresistibly soft and creamy texture. Rolled in powdered sugar and decorated with colorful red and green sprinkles, these cookies are perfect for holiday celebrations and guaranteed to bring joy to your cookie platter.
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
Decoration
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Red and green sprinkles (for decorating)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy, creating a rich base for the cookie dough.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract thoroughly until fully incorporated to enhance flavor and bind the dough.
- Incorporate Cake Mix: Gradually add the yellow cake mix to the wet ingredients, mixing until a thick, cohesive dough forms, ensuring even texture.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing it to firm up and become easier to handle for shaping.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate even baking.
- Shape and Coat Cookies: Roll tablespoon-sized portions of the dough into balls. Then, roll each ball in powdered sugar to coat evenly, providing a sweet, crackly exterior.
- Arrange and Decorate: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Press a few red and green sprinkles onto the top of each ball for festive decoration.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft, giving the cookies their signature gooey texture. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving, ensuring they hold their shape and texture.
Notes
- Refrigerating the dough is crucial for easier handling and better texture when baking.
- Do not overbake the cookies to maintain their gooey centers.
- You can substitute yellow cake mix with white cake mix for a subtle variation.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a stronger flavor, use real vanilla extract instead of imitation.
