There’s just something about Christmas cookies that brings out the child in all of us, right? Whether it’s the smell of vanilla baking in the oven, or the joy of decorating with bright sprinkles, cookies are a big part of what makes the season feel magical. And if you’re looking for the cookie recipe that will blow everyone away at the cookie swap or make Santa extra happy — look no further than these Christmas Sprinkle Gooey Butter Cookies. They’re festive, soft, gooey in the middle, lightly crackled on the outside, and decorated with the cutest red and green sprinkles. Just looking at them screams “holiday joy!”
🎁 Why You’ll Love These Christmas Sprinkle Gooey Butter Cookies
Let’s just say… these cookies are dangerously addictive. Here’s why you (and everyone else around you) will love them:
- Incredibly soft and gooey in the center.
- Lightly crisp edges with a crackled sugar exterior.
- They look like Christmas with their red and green sparkle.
- Made with cake mix, which makes prep super quick and easy.
- The cream cheese gives them an irresistible richness.
- They’re easy enough for kids to help with and fancy enough to impress the adults.
They’re basically sugar, cheer, and hugs all baked into one little round of joy.
🧈 What Makes Them “Gooey Butter” Cookies?
The name might sound indulgent… and that’s because it is! Gooey butter cookies are inspired by the famous St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake — a dessert known for its buttery richness and almost brownie-like texture, but softer and lighter. These cookies channel that same decadence in handheld, bite-sized form. Thanks to the combination of butter, cream cheese, and cake mix, you get a super soft cookie with a chewy, gooey center and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
🍬 The Perfect Texture: Crackly on the Outside, Melt-In-Your-Mouth Inside
Let’s talk texture. These aren’t your typical sugar cookies. The outside is ever-so-slightly crisp from being rolled in sugar, which gives them that gorgeous crackly top you see in the photo. But bite into one, and you’ll get that soft, tender, gooey center that’s almost creamy thanks to the cream cheese. They hold their shape beautifully, but when you eat them warm, they nearly dissolve in your mouth. Trust us — you’ll be reaching for a second (and third) before you even realize it.
🎨 A Festive Touch: Red and Green Sprinkles
The sprinkles aren’t just for looks (though, wow, do they make a statement!). They add a little crunch and a pop of holiday color that makes these cookies perfect for cookie trays, gift boxes, or leaving out for Santa. The photo shows the ideal finish: a crackled sugar coating with sprinkles pressed in before baking — not just tossed on after. This ensures they bake right into the top and stay put, adding that cheerful, sparkly finish.
📝 Ingredient Breakdown
Butter: Rich and Creamy Base
You’ll need ½ cup of unsalted butter, softened. This is your flavor foundation. Soft butter helps with creaming and gives that smooth consistency in the dough.
Cream Cheese: The Secret to Softness
8 oz of cream cheese, also softened. This gives the cookie its rich and gooey center. Don’t skip it — it’s the magic ingredient.
Egg & Vanilla: Binding and Flavor
Just one large egg is enough, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract adds a cozy warmth to the flavor profile. You could even swap in a bit of almond extract if you’re feeling fancy!
Yellow Cake Mix: The Magical Shortcut
Use one standard box (15.25 oz) of yellow cake mix. It adds structure, sweetness, and that lovely nostalgic flavor. It’s what makes this cookie doable in under 30 minutes.
Granulated Sugar: For Rolling
⅓ cup is perfect to roll each dough ball in before baking. It gives that shiny, crackly look once baked.
Sprinkles: For Cheer!
Go wild with red and green sprinkles. Make sure to use the nonpareils or sanding sugar type — they bake best without melting or bleeding into the dough.
🍪 Tips Before You Start Baking
- Softening is key: Make sure your butter and cream cheese are at room temp. Cold ingredients won’t mix properly and will leave lumps.
- Don’t overmix: Once the cake mix is in, mix until just combined.
- Chill if sticky: If your dough feels too sticky to roll, pop it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes.
- Don’t skip the sugar coating: That outer layer of sugar gives the cookies their signature look and texture.
- Press in the sprinkles: Don’t just roll in them — gently press them into the dough ball after sugar coating.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions
1. Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures a smooth bottom on your cookies.
2. Cream Butter and Cream Cheese
In a large mixing bowl, beat ½ cup softened butter and 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. This should take about 1–2 minutes on medium speed. The mixture should be lump-free and fluffy.
3. Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in 1 large egg and pour in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix again until everything is well combined. About 30–40 seconds of mixing is enough.
4. Mix in the Cake Mix
Slowly add the yellow cake mix, mixing on low speed to prevent powder explosions. You’ll get a thick, sticky dough. Resist the urge to overmix — as soon as it all comes together, stop.
5. Scoop and Roll
Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, scoop out dough and roll into smooth balls with your hands. Each should be about 1 tablespoon in size.
6. Roll in Sugar
Pour ⅓ cup granulated sugar into a small bowl. Roll each dough ball in the sugar until fully coated. This creates that crackly, sparkly crust when baked.
7. Add the Sprinkles
Gently press red and green sprinkles onto the tops of each dough ball. Don’t skip this part — they bake in beautifully and don’t fall off after baking.
8. Bake
Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on your lined baking sheets. Bake for 11–13 minutes, just until the edges are set and the tops are crackly. The centers will look slightly underbaked — that’s what you want! Don’t overbake or they won’t be gooey.
9. Cool and Enjoy
Let cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after removing from the oven. Then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. Enjoy warm or at room temp!
⚠️ Avoiding Common Mistakes
Even though this recipe is super simple, there are a few common slip-ups to avoid:
- Overbaking: The biggest mistake! These cookies should be just barely set on the edges and still soft in the center when you take them out of the oven. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
- Not softening the butter/cream cheese properly: If either is too cold, your dough won’t mix well and the texture will be off.
- Using the wrong sprinkles: Avoid jimmies (the long, tube-like sprinkles) that can bleed into the dough. Stick with nonpareils or sanding sugar for that classic holiday sparkle.
- Skipping the sugar coating: This step gives the cookies that crinkle-top look and a lightly crisp texture.
Little details make all the difference — and with these, you’ll end up with the perfect batch every time.
Print
🎄 Christmas Sprinkle Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert • Christmas Cookies • Holiday Baking
Description
🎄 Soft, gooey, sparkly, and full of Christmas magic! These melt-in-your-mouth butter cookies are festive, chewy, and perfect for cookie plates and holiday gifting. 🎅✨🍪
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 🧈
1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 large egg 🥚
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
1/3 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Red and green sprinkles 🎄✨
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. 🔥
⏱ Duration: 2 minutesIn a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. 🤍✨
⏱ Duration: 1–2 minutesAdd the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. 🥚🌟
⏱ Duration: 30–40 secondsGradually mix in the yellow cake mix on low speed until a soft, sticky dough forms. 🎁🍪
⏱ Duration: 1 minuteScoop 1-tablespoon portions of dough and roll into smooth balls. Space them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. 🎄
⏱ Duration: 3 minutesRoll each dough ball lightly in granulated sugar, then press festive red and green sprinkles on top. ✨❤️💚
⏱ Duration: 2 minutesBake for 11–13 minutes, until edges are set and tops are gently crackled. Centers should look soft but not glossy — this keeps them gooey! 🍪🔥
⏱ Duration: 11–13 minutesAllow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack. 🎅❄️
⏱ Duration: 5 minutes
Notes
These cookies stay soft and gooey — avoid overbaking to keep the signature texture.
Chilling the dough for 15–20 minutes can make rolling easier if it feels too sticky.
You can swap yellow cake mix for vanilla or white cake mix for a slightly different flavor.
Perfect for cookie boxes, parties, and gifting — they stay soft for days when stored in an airtight container.
Add extra sprinkles after baking while cookies are still warm for a brighter festive look.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 24 cookies
⏰ Can You Make These Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! In fact, you might want to double or triple the batch so you’re never caught empty-handed during holiday season.
Here are a few options:
- Make the dough ahead: You can prepare the dough and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap. When ready to bake, roll in sugar, add sprinkles, and bake as usual.
- Freeze the dough balls: Scoop and roll the dough into balls, freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. When ready to bake, thaw slightly, roll in sugar, and bake.
That means you can always have warm gooey butter cookies ready in 15 minutes — holiday magic on demand!
You may also like :
Striped Christmas Ornament & Snowflake Sugar Cookies: A Holiday Classic
Christmas Pinwheel Shortbread Cookies Recipe: A Magical Holiday Treat with a Festive Swirl
🍪 How to Store Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
These cookies are soft and delicate, so storing them the right way keeps them fresh and fabulous.
- Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place a slice of white bread in the container to help them stay soft.
- Refrigerate: Not necessary unless your kitchen is very warm, but they can last up to a week in the fridge.
- Rewarm if needed: Pop a cookie in the microwave for 5–8 seconds to bring back that warm, gooey texture.
❄️ Freezing Instructions
Want to prep for a cookie swap weeks in advance? Go for it!
- To freeze baked cookies: Let them cool completely, then place in an airtight container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp before serving.
- To freeze dough: As mentioned, freeze the sugar-coated dough balls on a tray first, then bag them. Bake directly from frozen — just add 1–2 minutes to the bake time.
This way, you can whip up freshly baked cookies anytime December throws a last-minute party your way.
✨ Add a Personal Touch: Variations and Twists
Want to jazz up your cookies or put your own spin on the classic? Here are some fun ways to do it:
- Flavor twist: Add a touch of almond or peppermint extract for a different festive flavor.
- Stuff them: Hide a Hershey’s Kiss, mini marshmallow, or chocolate truffle in the center of each cookie.
- Color the dough: Add a drop of red or green gel food coloring to make the dough itself festive.
- Switch up the sprinkles: Use gold, silver, or snowflake-shaped sprinkles for a classy winter vibe.
- Add white chocolate chips: Fold in ½ cup of white chocolate chips before rolling to make them extra indulgent.
These cookies are like a blank holiday canvas — get creative and make them yours!
🎉 Serving Ideas for Holiday Parties
These cookies are meant to be shown off — and devoured.
- Cookie platters: Pair with gingerbread men, peppermint bark, or classic sugar cookies.
- Gift boxes: Wrap a dozen in clear bags tied with ribbon for the ultimate homemade holiday gift.
- Santa’s plate: Kids LOVE these — gooey centers + sparkles = guaranteed smiles.
- Dessert boards: Add them to a festive board with hot cocoa, fudge, and candy canes for a Pinterest-worthy holiday setup.
They’re the kind of cookie that makes people stop mid-bite and go, “Whoa… what is this??”
🎄 Final Thoughts: A Cookie That Brings Joy to Every Bite
These Christmas Sprinkle Gooey Butter Cookies are everything you want in a holiday treat. They’re soft, sweet, buttery, and full of joy — just like the season itself. Whether you’re baking them for your family, a cookie swap, or just to eat by the tree with some hot cocoa, these cookies are going to be a major hit.
And let’s be real… you’re probably going to want to make a second batch after tasting the first one.
This recipe is all about simplicity, nostalgia, and that warm, magical holiday feeling. No complicated techniques, no fancy ingredients — just pure Christmas cheer in cookie form. 🍪✨
Similar recipes :
Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe: A Melt-in-Your-Mouth Holiday Delight
Caramel White-Chocolate Shortbread Christmas Cookies Recipe Guide
❓ FAQs
1. Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes! While yellow cake mix gives that buttery vanilla base, you can experiment with white, funfetti, or even red velvet for a unique twist.
2. Can I make these gluten-free?
Definitely. Just use a gluten-free yellow cake mix. Make sure your other ingredients (like sprinkles) are certified GF as well.
3. Why are my cookies too flat?
You may have over-softened your butter or didn’t chill the dough if it was too sticky. Try chilling the dough balls before baking next time.
4. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — and you should! These cookies go fast. Just make sure to bake in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan.
5. Are these cookies good for shipping?
They are! Pack them in a sturdy tin or box with wax paper between layers. Their soft texture travels well, especially if you pack them snugly.
