Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies – Festive, Sweet, and Irresistible

πŸŽ„πŸͺ Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies – Festive, Sweet, and Irresistible! πŸͺπŸŽ„

These cookies are soft, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, with a festive twist perfect for holiday gatherings. Rolled in powdered sugar and bursting with holiday spirit, they’re as delightful to make as they are to eat!

Ingredientsβœ…


1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract (optional, for extra flavor)
Red and green food coloring (optional for Christmas theme)
1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Holiday sprinkles (optional for decoration)


Directionsβœ…

  1. Prepare the Dough:
    In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
    Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Mix until well combined.
    Gradually add the cake mix, mixing until a soft dough forms.
  2. Add Festive Colors (Optional):
    Divide the dough into two portions.
    Add red food coloring to one portion and green to the other. Mix until the colors are evenly distributed.
  3. Chill the Dough:
    Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight). This helps the dough firm up for easy rolling.
  4. Roll and Coat:
    Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
    Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls.
    Roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated.
  5. Bake:
    Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
    Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are set but still soft. They will puff up and crackle on the surface.
  6. Cool and Decorate:
    Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
    Optional: Top with holiday sprinkles while the cookies are still warm for an extra festive touch.
    Tips:
    Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
    Freezing: Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls (without powdered sugar) for up to 3 months. Thaw, coat in powdered sugar, and bake when ready.
    Flavors: Try swapping almond extract with peppermint extract for a minty twist!