Gooey Butter Cookies are the ultimate cake mix cookie made with butter, powdered sugar and cream cheese for a pillowy soft, gooey cookie you can’t resist!
Gooey Butter Cookies are thick, pillowy cookies made with cream cheese and powdered sugar, with just a hint of cake batter flavor. This Gooey Butter Cookie recipe is a favorite for Christmas but can (and should be) enjoyed all year!
Made with a handful of simple ingredients and quick and easy to make. Perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges along with favorites like White Chocolate Chip Cookies, Pecan Pie Cookies, and Lace Cookies!
Growing up in St. Louis, Gooey Butter Cookies have always been a regional staple – especially around the holidays. You’ll find them at local bakeries, cookie exchanges and in our kitchen each Christmas!
This recipe is an adaptation of my (mom’s) gooey butter cake which doubles as a breakfast Danish! You’ll also love my Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cookies and Gooey Butter Eggnog Cookies!
Gooey Butter Cookies are so easy, using only a few ingredients and just 10 minutes hands on time. Unlike some gooey butter cookie recipes, this one truly is “gooey” inside! The texture is perfection.
What could be better? Yes, this Gooey Butter Cookie recipe starts with a box of Butter Recipe Golden Cake Mix! You’d never know they weren’t made from scratch.
This recipe is so versatile! Mix it up using your favorite cake mix! The dusting of powdered sugar adds an extra dose of sweetness and beautiful frost.
Why You’ll Love These Gooey Butter Cookies
- Unique
- Deliciously sweet
- Great for a cookie platter
- Minimal ingredients or baking experience required!
Gooey Butter Cookie Ingredients
You just need six simple ingredients to make these delicious cookies!
- Cream Cheese – Full fat is preferred. You can learn how to Soften Cream Cheese here.
- Butter – Unsalted butter is preferred, but you can use whatever you have on hand. Learn how to soften butter quickly.
- Vanilla Extract – Vanilla adds great flavor to these cookies. You can have fun with it and use almond, lemon or orange if you prefer, or learn how to make Homemade Vanilla Extract!
- Egg
- Butter Recipe Golden Cake Mix
- Powdered Sugar – Also known as confectioners’ sugar.
Variations
- Use your favorite cake mix to to make any flavor.
- Add candies on top just after removing from the oven.
How to Make Gooey Butter Cookies
It only takes 10 minutes to make gooey butter cookie dough!
- Make Dough – Cream butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla and cake mix.
- Chill Dough – It’s a sticky dough, so it should be covered and refrigerated or frozen for 2+ hours.
- Make Dough Balls – Scoop dough, roll into balls and roll in powdered sugar to coat. Expert Tip: use a cookie scoop to keep it fuss free and for consistent cookie size.
- Bake – Cookies will appear slightly underbaked. They should be soft and tender.
Make Ahead
The gooey butter cookie dough is among one of my favorites to make in advance. I like to freeze it, which allows me to bake on demand for a last minute neighbor gift, cookie exchange or company!
You just never know when something might pop up in December!
Frequently Asked Questions
A traditional gooey butter cake has three amazing layers – a thick bottom layer made from cake batter. Alight and creamy cream cheese and sugar layer and a thin, flaky crunchy layer that forms on top when it’s baked. It’s heavenly!
It’s delightfully buttery and sweet, balanced with a little tang from cream cheese. Gooey butter cookies combine all those delicious flavors and layers into one fabulously gooey cookie!
Tips
- If you want really gooey cookies, add ¼ cup powdered sugar to the batter and increase bake time by one minute.
- This cookie dough is best when cold. It makes it easier to work with and produces a fuller cookie.
- Use a cookie scoop if you have one to avoid sticky fingers and make consistent size cookies.
- To make clean up a breeze, I line my cookie sheets with parchment paper.
How to Store
- Room Temperature – these can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Refrigerate – Generally, cookies don’t require refrigeration, but if you choose to refrigerate store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Freeze – Yes, you can freeze these cookies! Simply wrap in an airtight container and freeze for up to six months.
Dietary Considerations
- Nut Free
- Vegetarian
Hopefully, these become your favorite too! I love sharing recipes that are hometown classics, and important to my family, too. They are a delicious cookie, and they’re perfect for Christmas and beyond.
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More Gooey Inspiration
Gooey Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 box butter recipe golden cake mix
- ½ cup powdered sugar to coat
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and cream cheese for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla.
- Blend in cake mix.
- Cover and refrigerate (or freeze) dough for 2+ hours.
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Using a cookie scoop or teaspoon, scoop dough and roll dough into 1" balls. Roll in powdered sugar to coat.
- Bake 8-9 minutes (resist the urge to bake longer). Allow to cool 1 minute before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
Julie’s Tips
- If you want really gooey cookies, add ¼ cup powdered sugar to the batter and increase bake time by one minute.
- This cookie dough is best when cold. It makes it easier to work with and produces a fuller cookie.
- Use a cookie scoop if you have one to avoid sticky fingers and make consistent size cookies.
- To make clean up a breeze, I line my cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Scrumptious! So easy to make. These cookies are soft, delicate little perfect treats! Hard to eat just one!!
It truly is! Thanks for taking a moment to share!
We have been making these cookies for a few years and they are always one of the first ones to be eaten.
So true! They’re unique and of course, easy to devour!
These cookies are delicious little bites of heavenly gooey butter goodness!
Thanks, Deanna! They’re a family favorite!
These gooey butter cookies are a family favorite! I often take them to potlucks and they’re always a hit!
Yum! I LOVE gooey butter cookies! I’ll have to give these a try! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂