Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies: Perfectly Easy in 20 Minutes

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Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies: Perfectly Easy in 20 Minutes

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Welcome, fellow bakers, to a recipe that’s about to become your new holiday favorite! Today, we’re diving into the delightful world of Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies. These incredible treats are not just festive and utterly delicious; they’re also unbelievably easy to make, perfect for whipping up a batch of holiday cheer in under 20 minutes.

Imagine soft, chewy centers with a delicate crunch, all dusted with a snowy blanket of powdered sugar – that’s the magic of these gooey butter cookies! Forget complicated cookie cutters and endless chilling. This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimum fuss, making it ideal for busy holiday schedules. Get ready to bake some joy!

1. Introduction: Your Easiest Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

There’s something truly special about a cookie that brings back childhood memories while being incredibly simple to create. Our Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies fit that bill perfectly, bringing a touch of St. Louis tradition to your festive spread.

This recipe stands out for its straightforward approach, utilizing common pantry staples to produce cookies that taste like they took hours, but only take minutes. It’s the ultimate easy Christmas recipe for anyone looking to add a homemade touch without the stress. Prepare to impress everyone with these delightful bites!

2. Why These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Are a Holiday Must-Make (in 20 Minutes!)

Life during the holidays is hectic, and that’s precisely why these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are a lifesaver. You can go from zero to a warm batch of irresistible cookies in practically no time at all. Think less baking stress, more holiday joy!

They’re the quintessential holiday cookies: sweet, rich, and wonderfully shareable. Plus, their unique texture – soft and chewy in the middle, slightly crisp on the edges – makes them incredibly addictive. They truly melt in your mouth!

Beyond speed, this gooey butter cookie recipe is remarkably versatile. You can easily adapt it with different extracts or even food coloring to match any festive theme. It’s truly a quick dessert solution for all your holiday gatherings. You’ll want to make them year after year!

The beauty of these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies lies in their simplicity. You won’t need any fancy ingredients, just a few kitchen staples that magically transform into something extraordinary. Gather these essentials and let’s get baking!

  • 1 (15.25 ounce) package yellow or white cake mix
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, but highly recommended)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, for rolling and dusting

4. How to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies: Step-by-Step Instructions

Ready to create some holiday magic? Follow these simple steps to bake your perfect batch of Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies. It’s so easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made them sooner!

4.1. Step 1: Prep Your Dough (The Easy Way!)

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This ensures your cookies don’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze!
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, softened cream cheese, melted butter, and egg. Add the vanilla extract if you’re using it.
  3. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined and a soft, sticky dough forms. Don’t overmix; just enough until everything comes together.

4.2. Step 2: Mix, Roll, and Sugar Coat

  1. Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.
  2. Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop out portions of the dough (about 1.5 tablespoons each). The dough will be very sticky, so don’t worry!
  3. Roll each dough ball generously in the powdered sugar, ensuring it’s completely coated. This coating creates that signature crinkled, gooey exterior.
  4. Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.

4.3. Step 3: Bake to Golden Gooey Perfection

  1. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set but still look wonderfully soft and gooey. Do not overbake!
  2. The cookies will puff up and then flatten slightly as they cool, developing their characteristic crinkled tops. This is exactly what you want!

4.4. Step 4: Cool and Powder with Delight

  1. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  2. For an extra festive touch, dust the cooled cookies with an additional sprinkle of powdered sugar just before serving. Enjoy your perfect batch of **Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies**!

5. Expert Tips & Festive Variations for Your Gooey Butter Cookies

Want to elevate your **Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies** even further? Here are a few secrets from my kitchen to yours, along with some fun ways to customize them for the season. For more expert baking advice, See others recipes here .

  • Don’t Overbake! This is crucial for maintaining that signature gooey center. Pull them out when the edges are just set and the centers still look slightly soft.
  • Chill the Dough (Optional): If your dough is too sticky to handle, you can chill it for 15-30 minutes. However, I often skip this step as the powdered sugar coating helps.
  • Holiday Flavors: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a dash of almond extract along with the vanilla for a richer, more complex flavor. A little orange zest can also brighten things up!
  • Festive Colors: A few drops of red or green food coloring in the dough will make these cookies even more cheerful for Christmas gatherings.
  • Make Ahead: The dough can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just bring it to room temperature for about 15 minutes before rolling.
  • Learn from the Pros: For common cookie baking pitfalls and how to avoid them, check out King Arthur Baking Company’s blog.

6. How to Serve Your Perfectly Easy Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Once your **Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies** are baked to perfection, serving them is part of the joy! These delightful treats are incredibly versatile and perfect for any holiday occasion. They make fantastic additions to cookie platters and dessert tables.

Serve them alongside a warm mug of cocoa or a festive coffee. They’re also wonderful for gifting in pretty tins or bags, bringing a homemade touch to friends and neighbors. These festive baking delights are sure to bring smiles wherever they go!

7. Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies

Can I use a different type of cake mix for these Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies?

Absolutely! While yellow or white cake mix is traditional, you can experiment with other flavors like red velvet, strawberry, or even chocolate for a fun twist on these gooey butter cookies. Just be aware that the flavor and color will change accordingly, offering a new delightful experience!

How should I store leftover Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies?

These cookies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months; just thaw them at room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Can I make the dough for these gooey butter cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can! Prepare the dough as instructed, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to soften slightly before scooping and rolling in powdered sugar.

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