Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are soft, rich, and ultra-chewy cookies made with cream cheese, cake mix, and a festive dusting of powdered sugar. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are known for their crackly tops, buttery centers, and colorful holiday flair—making them one of the most beloved treats on holiday cookie trays.

These cookies are a variation of the famous ooey gooey butter cake, a St. Louis classic that’s been reimagined into a portable, bite-sized version. Unlike typical Christmas cookies that require chilling or rolling dough, this version is incredibly simple. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, anyone can create bakery-style cookies that are sweet, soft, and crowd-pleasing.

One of the key features of these cookies is their texture. Thanks to cream cheese and butter, they stay moist and gooey on the inside while developing a slightly crisp and crackled sugar-coated exterior. The addition of red and green sprinkles or food coloring makes them perfect for holiday gifting, cookie exchanges, or festive dessert platters.

Across Pinterest holiday cookie boards, you’ll find creative takes on this recipe, with options for peppermint flavor, white chocolate chips, and colored dough to match the season. They’re often rolled in powdered sugar or dipped halfway in chocolate for an extra-special touch.

If you’re interested in the origins of this rich dessert style, the ooey gooey butter cake is rooted in Midwestern American baking, detailed in the Wikipedia entry on Gooey Butter Cake—a dense, sweet, buttery cake that inspired this popular cookie adaptation.

Whether you’re baking with kids, prepping ahead for Christmas parties, or building a cookie box to share, Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are simple, festive, and unforgettable.

What Are Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies?

Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies made with a base of cream cheese, butter, cake mix, and powdered sugar. These cookies are known for their chewy, gooey texture and festive appearance—often featuring red and green sprinkles or food coloring to suit the holiday season.

The recipe is a holiday twist on the original ooey gooey butter cookies, which were themselves inspired by the famous Gooey Butter Cake, a beloved dessert from St. Louis. By turning the concept into cookies, bakers created a rich and portable treat with the same buttery, slightly underbaked center that fans of the cake love.

What sets these cookies apart is the unique combination of ingredients. The cream cheese gives them a dense, almost cheesecake-like center, while the cake mix simplifies the process and ensures a tender crumb. They’re rolled in powdered sugar before baking, giving the finished cookies a signature crackled look and a slightly crisp exterior.

During Christmas, bakers often enhance the cookies by:

Adding red or green food coloring to the dough
Mixing in holiday sprinkles
Using flavored cake mix like red velvet, spice cake, or white cake with peppermint extract

Dipping one half in melted white or dark chocolate for decoration

You’ll find countless holiday-themed versions on Pinterest Christmas cookie boards where these cookies are styled with ribbons, box liners, and holiday tags—perfect for gifting or cookie swaps.

The result is a cookie that’s chewy, rich, and full of holiday spirit, with very little effort needed. It’s a perfect choice for busy bakers or anyone looking to make a big impact with minimal baking experience.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies come together with just a handful of ingredients, many of which are pantry staples. The result is a soft, chewy cookie that’s festive, easy to make, and perfect for holiday celebrations.

Base Ingredients:

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened: Adds richness and a creamy, gooey texture.
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened: Provides flavor and softness.

1 large egg: Helps bind the dough and adds structure.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.

1 (15.25 oz) box cake mix (white, yellow, or red velvet): Acts as the base of the cookie. White or yellow cake mix is most traditional.
¾ to 1 cup powdered sugar: For rolling the dough balls before baking, creating the signature crackle effect.

Optional Holiday Add-Ins:

Red and green sprinkles or sanding sugar – for mixing into the dough or topping.

Red or green food coloring – divide the dough and color separately for a festive swirl or to make two-tone cookies.
White chocolate chips or peppermint bits – for added flavor and texture.

Choose your mix-ins based on your theme. For a classic look, stick with powdered sugar and a touch of holiday color. For gifting, add sparkle with sanding sugar or drizzle cooled cookies with melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint.

Need inspiration? Browse Pinterest holiday cookie boards to see creative takes on these cookies in dozens of festive styles.

Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions

Here’s how to make these soft and festive butter cookies:

Step 1: Cream the Base Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.

Add the egg and vanilla extract, and continue beating until fully incorporated.

Step 2: Add Cake Mix

Gradually add the cake mix to the bowl and mix until a soft dough forms. The dough will be thick and sticky.
If you’re using food coloring, divide the dough and color each half separately at this stage.

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes. This step makes the dough easier to handle and helps the cookies bake evenly.

Step 4: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 5: Roll and Coat the Dough Balls

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls.
Roll each ball in powdered sugar until well coated.

Place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies 2 inches apart.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops have a crackled look. The centers should still look soft.
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

You can drizzle with chocolate or add extra sprinkles while the cookies are still slightly warm. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.

Tips for Perfect Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

Use these tips to get bakery-style cookies every time:

Soften cream cheese and butter fully for smooth dough with no lumps.

Chill the dough to reduce stickiness and prevent over-spreading.
Use a cookie scoop for evenly-sized cookies.
Don’t overbake – they’re meant to be soft and gooey in the center.

Roll generously in powdered sugar to achieve the signature crackled top.
Add color by dyeing half the dough red or green and swirling the colors together before baking.

For ideas on presentation, cookie boxes, or holiday packaging, check out Pinterest Christmas cookie gifts for ready-to-share inspiration.

Flavor Variations & Creative Twists

Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, try these holiday-inspired variations:

Red Velvet Version: Use red velvet cake mix and add white chocolate chips for a vibrant holiday look.
Peppermint Twist: Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and crushed candy canes to the dough.
Spice Cookie: Use spice cake mix and top with cinnamon sugar instead of powdered sugar.

Chocolate Lovers: Use chocolate cake mix with chocolate chips and roll in cocoa-powdered sugar.
Swirled Dough: Color half the dough red and the other half green, then gently swirl together before rolling into balls.

To find more creative versions, explore Pinterest gooey cookie variations that include everything from lemon to pumpkin flavors.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

These cookies are great for prepping in advance, and they store well for holiday gifting or party trays.

Refrigerate Dough: You can make the dough 1–2 days in advance. Store covered in the fridge until ready to bake.
Freeze Dough Balls: Roll dough into balls (without powdered sugar), then freeze on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a container or bag. When ready to bake, thaw slightly, roll in powdered sugar, and bake.
Store Baked Cookies: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Freeze Baked Cookies: Layer with parchment paper and freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

These cookies also make fantastic edible gifts. Package in festive tins, clear bags, or cookie boxes lined with parchment. Add a gift tag and you’ve got a perfect homemade treat.

Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies for Holidays & Events

These cookies are the ultimate festive addition to any holiday event. Their colors, softness, and flavor make them a top pick for:

Christmas Cookie Exchanges: Their look and taste always stand out.

Holiday Gift Boxes: Add them to a variety box with other treats like peppermint bark or fudge.
Santa Plates: These are kid-approved and great for Christmas Eve.
School or Work Parties: Make them mini-sized for easy sharing.

Brunch and Dessert Trays: Their rich flavor pairs well with hot cocoa or coffee.

Get more decorating inspiration on Pinterest Christmas cookie tray ideas where these cookies are often featured as a centerpiece treat.

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Options

These cookies can be adjusted to fit dietary needs with a few ingredient swaps:

Gluten-Free Adjustments:

Use a gluten-free cake mix. There are several white and yellow gluten-free mixes that work well.

Ensure all add-ins (sprinkles, powdered sugar, chips) are gluten-free.

Dairy-Free Adjustments:

Use dairy-free cream cheese (almond or coconut-based).
Use plant-based butter that’s suitable for baking.
Double-check that your cake mix is dairy-free (some contain milk powder).

Refer to the egg and dairy substitute guide for additional ingredient alternatives suited for baking.

FAQs Section – From “People Also Ask”

Q1: Why are they called Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies?
Because of their ultra-soft, rich texture created by cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar—similar to the original ooey gooey butter cake.

Q2: Can I use any flavor of cake mix?
Yes. White, yellow, red velvet, chocolate, and even lemon cake mix all work well.

Q3: Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Yes, chilling helps firm up the dough, reduces stickiness, and prevents cookies from spreading too much.

Q4: Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes. Freeze dough balls before baking, or freeze baked cookies in layers with parchment for up to 2 months.

Q5: How do I keep the cookies soft after baking?
Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them moist, or wrap individually for gifting.

Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies – Soft, Festive & Full of Flavor