These gooey butter cookies are a handheld version of the famous cake. They’re soft, gooey and totally irresistible! Roll them in sprinkles for a fun and festive look.
I make gooey butter cookies, along with stained glass cookies and peppermint bark cookies every year around the holidays. They’re great for cookie exchanges and take just minutes to put together. You can’t stop at just one cookie!
You’ve probably heard of gooey butter cake, but have you ever tried gooey butter cookies? They are SO very delicious and couldn’t be any easier to make. I’ve rolled these cookies in sprinkles to dress them up for the holidays!
How do you make gooey butter cookies?
This recipe starts with a box of cake mix. I use white cake mix, but yellow or chocolate cake mix would also be great options. The cake mix is combined with cream cheese, butter, egg and vanilla extract to make a thick dough.
This dough is on the soft and sticky side, which can make it a bit difficult to work with. I chill the dough until it’s firm before I roll my balls. If you have any issues with the dough sticking to your hands, you can coat your hands in a little cooking spray to make the process go smoother.
After the balls of dough are formed, I roll them in colorful sprinkles. If you feel like your balls of dough are too soft after you’ve rolled them, you can always put them back in the fridge to chill before you add the sprinkles.
Tips for gooey butter cookies
- Your cookies will form some cracks as they bake. This is normal and part of the charm of these rustic looking cookies.
- Gooey butter cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Be sure not to over bake your cookies! They’re meant to be soft and gooey.
- Traditional gooey butter cookies are rolled in powdered sugar, so you can try it that way if you prefer instead of using sprinkles.
Gooey butter cookies are a super unique treat and they’re great for parties, holiday cookie exchanges, and gift giving. You don’t have to wait for Christmas to roll around to make these cookies – you can swap out the holiday sprinkles for any color of sprinkle that fits your occasion.
I like to package up gooey butter cookies in gift tins and pass them out to family, friends and teachers during the holidays. Everyone is always so pleased to have a homemade gift and I get tons of requests for the recipe!
More holiday treats
Gooey Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 18 1/4 ounce box white cake mix
- 1 cup sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.
- Place the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of a mixer and beat until fluffy and thoroughly combined, 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanille and white cake mix to the bowl. Beat on low speed until just combined.
- Cover the bowl and chill for 30 minutes.
- Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, then coat each ball in sprinkles. Place 2 inches apart on the sheet pan. You will need to work in batches.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are just set. Cool for 5-7 minutes then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Repeat the process with the remaining cookie dough.
- Serve, or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Rachel says
December 20, 2018 at 11:20 amI have a white cake mix that is 17oz. Will it drastically change the recipe? Or should I not use it?
Sara says
December 20, 2018 at 1:17 pmThat’s fine to use!
Becca says
December 18, 2018 at 11:04 amIm having a hard time deciding whether my cookies are done. I just then cool but they are still very very gooey inside. Is that how they are supposed to be? I just don’t want to under cook them but don’t want to over bake either. Thanks!
Sara says
December 18, 2018 at 11:25 amThe edges should be set and firm, only the center should be soft. I hope that helps!
Rebecca says
December 16, 2018 at 5:55 pmIf I decide to roll them in powered sugar, do you do that before you bake them or after? Thanks!
Sara says
December 16, 2018 at 9:07 pmYou roll the cookies before you bake them!
AMANDA H says
December 6, 2018 at 6:42 pmWhat can you use to substitute the egg?
Sara says
December 6, 2018 at 10:51 pmI have not made these with an egg substitute, but here’s an article with some great ideas on how to omit eggs in cookie recipes: https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/955371/baking-without-eggs/
Lavanda Michelle says
December 3, 2018 at 2:25 pmThis is a great post. They look delicious, such a great holiday treat. Would be great for a Xmas party. Thank for sharing!
Eric kay says
December 3, 2018 at 1:17 pmThese look delicious. I think Santa will be getting new cookies this year.
M says
December 3, 2018 at 9:12 amI want to call in merry for the rest of December! Baking, present wrapping, all things Christmas! These look so yummy, and perfect for us to share in our cookie swap.
Konstantina Antoniadou says
December 3, 2018 at 7:16 amButter cookies are MY FAVORITE! I will definitely give it a try during the next few days.
Kimberly Caines says
December 2, 2018 at 11:51 pmKids will definitely love this gooey butter cookies for sure. Such a perfect Christmas treat for them.
Donyell says
December 2, 2018 at 8:44 pmPinning this recipe to recreate for Christmas!! I think my family will enjoy these!!
Kay says
December 2, 2018 at 11:38 amI’m making these for my kids. They look so good.
Shannan P says
December 2, 2018 at 10:40 amI love gooey butter cakes! I am going to have to give these a try when we do our cookie exchange baking this season!
FArrah less says
December 2, 2018 at 4:22 amMy family and I love cookies this colorful one is perfect for holiday desserts. Knowing its so easy to make something that I prefer to.
Rosey says
December 1, 2018 at 7:43 pmSoft cookies are my favorite. These look holiday delicious!
Erica Mark says
December 1, 2018 at 5:07 pmThe recipe looks great! I’m excited to try making these with my son. I was wondering if you could substitute a gluten free cake mix though? Have you tried it before? Thanks!
-Erica
Sara says
December 1, 2018 at 10:48 pmI have not tried it but I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t work!
Annette L. Hebbeler says
December 1, 2018 at 11:34 amIf you were making these cookies for say a family reunion and not Christmas, what else can be substituted for the holiday sprinkles? Could the cookies just be rolled in sugar?
Sara says
December 1, 2018 at 12:02 pmYou can roll them in powdered sugar or coarse sanding sugar!
kumamonjeng says
December 1, 2018 at 5:05 amI love butter and butter cookies would be awesome for this xmas party dessert and snacks. I also love how colorful the cookies are.
Brittany says
November 30, 2018 at 11:22 pmOh my goodness…you had me at butter!!! These look so delicious. I bet they taste amazing!!!
Jolie Starrett says
November 30, 2018 at 1:27 pmThese are so pretty! Printed. Can’t wait to try!
Tina A says
November 30, 2018 at 12:57 pmI just had gooey butter bars the other day and they were to die for! your recipe for Gooey butter cookies looks wonderful . I’m going to have to try this recipe out