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These Christmas gooey butter cookies bring pure joy to holiday baking. With their pillowy soft centers and festive sprinkles they're like little bites of Christmas magic. I discovered this recipe years ago and it's become a treasured part of our family's holiday tradition the kids love helping roll them in colorful sprinkles.
Pure Holiday Magic
The beauty of these gooey butter cookies lies in their simplicity. Starting with a cake mix means they're practically foolproof yet they taste completely homemade. My kitchen fills with the most amazing buttery vanilla aroma as they bake and watching the kids decorate them with sprinkles has become one of our favorite holiday activities.
What You'll Need
- Butter: Softened to room temperature.
- Cream Cheese: Also softened for smoothness.
- Egg: One large at room temp.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure for best flavor.
- White Cake Mix: Any brand works well.
- Sprinkles: Choose festive colors.
- Confectioner's Sugar: For that snowy coating.
Let's Get Baking
- Mix with Love
- Beat those wet ingredients until they're perfectly creamy then mix in your cake mix.
- Time to Rest
- Let that dough chill it makes all the difference in handling.
- Shape and Sparkle
- Roll your cookies in sprinkles and sugar until they're beautifully coated.
- Bake to Perfection
- Watch them carefully they should stay soft and gooey inside.
Success Secrets
The key to perfect Christmas gooey butter cookies is patience. Let your ingredients come to room temperature and don't skip the chilling step. When you're rolling them in sugar be generous that's what gives them their signature look. And remember they should look slightly underbaked when you take them out.
Share the Joy
These Christmas gooey butter cookies make wonderful gifts. I love packaging them in festive tins or cellophane bags tied with ribbon. They stay fresh for days and bring so much holiday cheer to anyone lucky enough to receive them. Just try to save some for Santa too.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why refrigerate the dough?
- Refrigerating helps firm up the dough, making it easier to roll into balls and preventing excessive spreading during baking.
- → Can I use different cake mix flavors?
- Yes, while this recipe calls for white cake mix, you can experiment with other flavors like yellow or chocolate for variety.
- → Why let cookies sit on the sheet after baking?
- The 2-minute rest allows cookies to set slightly, making them easier to transfer without breaking their soft, gooey texture.
- → Can I use different sprinkles?
- You can use any color sprinkles to match your holiday theme or occasion. Just ensure they're jimmies or similar sprinkles that won't bleed color.
- → How do I know when they're done?
- Cookies should bake 8-10 minutes until just set but still soft. They'll continue setting up as they cool on the baking sheet.