Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Festive Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Soft, pillowy christmas ooey gooey butter cookies melt in your mouth with delightful seasonal charm.

Sweet whispers of nostalgia drift through the kitchen when these treats emerge from the oven.

Powdered sugar cascades like gentle snowflakes across their delicate surfaces.

Childhood memories dance alongside each buttery, tender bite.

Crisp edges give way to an impossibly rich, creamy center that feels like pure holiday magic.

Comfort wraps around you with every single crumb.

Bake these and watch magic unfold right before your eyes.

Why You’ll Love Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

  • Craft with Minimal Effort: Super simple recipe that requires basic baking skills, perfect for beginners or seasoned bakers wanting a quick sweet treat.
  • Celebrate Festive Moments: Designed with holiday sprinkles and colored sugars, these cookies bring instant joy and cheerful vibes to any gathering or celebration.
  • Create Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Soft, tender cookies with a delightful sugary coating guarantee smiles from kids and adults alike, making them a guaranteed hit at parties or family events.
  • Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows for personal flair by switching sprinkle colors or adding different sugar coatings, giving you creative freedom to match any theme or mood.

What Goes In Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

For the Base:
  • Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that provides tender texture and deep flavor to the cookies.
  • Cream Cheese: Adds moisture and a subtle tangy richness to the cookie dough.
  • Egg: Helps bind the ingredients and contributes to the cookie's structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall sweet flavor profile of the cookies.
For the Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the primary structure of the cookies.
  • Powdered Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Create sweetness and help with cookie texture and spread.
For the Decoration and Finishing:
  • Holiday Sprinkles, Holiday Colored Sugar: Add festive visual appeal and a fun, colorful touch to the cookies.
Extras:
  • Parchment Paper: Provides a non-stick surface for baking and easy cookie removal.

Making Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a perfect stage for your festive treats.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend softened butter and cream cheese until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud of deliciousness.

Step 3: Add Liquid Magic

Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture becomes silky smooth and perfectly combined.

Step 4: Introduce the Flour

Carefully fold in all-purpose flour, mixing gently to keep the dough tender and delicate.

Step 5: Sweeten the Deal

Incorporate powdered sugar and granulated sugar, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 6: Sprinkle Some Joy

Gently mix in holiday sprinkles, creating colorful bursts of festive excitement in every bite.

Step 7: Chill and Develop Flavor

Refrigerate the dough for half an hour, allowing the flavors to mingle and the texture to firm up perfectly.

Step 8: Shape the Cookies

Roll the chilled dough into small, adorable balls about 1-inch in diameter.

Step 9: Create a Sparkling Exterior

Coat each cookie ball first in powdered sugar, then roll in holiday-colored sugar for a dazzling, festive finish.

Step 10: Prepare for Baking

Arrange the sugar-coated cookie balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.

Step 11: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for lightly golden edges and soft, set centers.

Step 12: Cool and Rest

Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Step 13: Final Transformation

Allow cookies to cool completely, letting them develop their signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Tips For Perfect Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

  • Chill for Success: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to prevent spreading and intensify flavor profiles, ensuring perfectly shaped cookies.
  • Roll with Precision: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform 1-inch balls, guaranteeing consistent baking and professional appearance.
  • Sugar Coating Magic: Double-dip cookies in powdered sugar and colored sugar for a festive, sparkling exterior that adds texture and visual appeal.
  • Prevent Overbaking: Watch cookies closely and remove from oven when edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft to maintain a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Storage Tip: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to preserve their delicate structure.

Fun Variations For Christmas Butter Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same festive texture.
  • Vegan Festive Cookies: Swap butter and cream cheese with coconut oil and vegan cream cheese alternatives, using a flax egg instead of a traditional egg to create a plant-based treat.
  • Low-Sugar Holiday Cookies: Substitute granulated and powdered sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while preserving the cookie's delightful sweetness.
  • Chocolate Peppermint Variation: Mix in crushed candy canes and replace some flour with cocoa powder to create a rich, minty holiday cookie that adds extra seasonal flair.

Great Pairings For Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

  • Pair with Festive Winter Cocktail: Sip a creamy white chocolate martini with hints of peppermint that echoes the cookie's sweet vanilla notes and complements its sugary profile.
  • Serve with Warm Spiced Chai Latte: The gentle spices of chai will beautifully balance the cookie's sugary sweetness, creating a harmonious winter flavor experience.
  • Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: A scoop of rich, creamy vanilla bean ice cream provides a cool, smooth contrast to the warm, soft cookie texture, enhancing the dessert's indulgent character.
  • Accompany with Hot Cocoa: A classic mug of rich hot chocolate topped with marshmallows offers a cozy, comforting companion that perfectly captures the holiday spirit of these festive cookies.

Store Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies The Easy Way

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep them fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining their delightful texture and flavor.
  • Warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power, ensuring they remain soft and gooey. Alternatively, let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
  • Transfer frozen cookies to the refrigerator overnight, then bring to room temperature before enjoying. For quick thawing, microwave at 50% power for 15-20 seconds.

Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies FAQ

  • Can I make these cookies without cream cheese?

No, cream cheese is crucial for the soft, tender texture and tangy flavor of these holiday cookies. Omitting it will significantly change the recipe’s result.

  • Do I really need to refrigerate the dough?

Yes, chilling helps prevent spreading, intensifies flavors, and makes the dough easier to handle. The 30-minute rest is essential for perfect cookie formation.

  • What if I don't have holiday sprinkles?

Regular sprinkles or colored sugar work perfectly fine. The goal is adding festive color and a touch of sweetness to your cookies.

  • Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Use unsalted butter for better control of the recipe’s salt content. If using salted butter, reduce or eliminate additional salt in the recipe.

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Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 45-42 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Festive Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies deliver sweet holiday magic in one irresistible bite. Rich cream cheese and powdered sugar create a melt-in-your-mouth experience that wraps warm seasonal cheer around your taste buds.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 large egg

Sweet Add-Ins:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles

Finishing Touches:

  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
  • 1/4 cup holiday colored sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a pristine surface for your festive cookies.
  2. In a spacious mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and cream cheese until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and fully integrated.
  3. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the creamy base, whisking until the ingredients form a smooth, cohesive blend.
  4. Gradually fold in the all-purpose flour, stirring carefully to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cookie texture.
  5. Gently mix in powdered sugar and granulated sugar, ensuring an even distribution throughout the dough.
  6. Fold holiday sprinkles into the cookie mixture, creating colorful bursts of festive cheer throughout the batter.
  7. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to firm up and enhance flavor melding.
  8. Shape the chilled dough into small, uniform balls, approximately 1-inch in diameter.
  9. Roll each cookie ball first in powdered sugar, then in holiday colored sugar, creating a sparkling, festive exterior.
  10. Arrange the coated cookie balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading.
  11. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges become lightly golden and the centers appear set but still soft.
  12. Remove from the oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
  13. Allow cookies to cool completely, during which they’ll develop their signature ooey-gooey texture.

Notes

  • Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and enhance the rich, buttery flavor profile during baking.
  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and consistent cookie texture without lumps or uneven blending.
  • Experiment with different sprinkle colors or swap holiday sprinkles for seasonal variations like pastel for spring or red/blue for patriotic themes.
  • For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the cookie’s delicate, tender structure.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 130
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 40 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Olivia Brooks

Olivia Brooks

Contributing Writer

Expertise

  • Healthy recipe development
  • Plant-based cooking
  • Nutritional analysis
  • Food writing and content creation

Education

Culinary Institute of America
Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program
Focus: Culinary fundamentals, nutrition, and healthy cooking technique


Olivia believes good food should feed both the body and the soul. She earned her Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America, where she focused on nutrition and practical cooking techniques that make healthy eating easy.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Olivia shares single-serving recipes that are fresh, plant-forward, and full of heart. She loves helping people eat better, without stress, strict rules, or sacrificing flavor.
Beyond the kitchen, Olivia spends her time tending her backyard garden, practicing yoga, and discovering hidden gems in Portland’s food scene.

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