Tired of spending hours on elaborate Christmas cookies that turn out dry and flavorless? I’ve got something better for you.
These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are my secret weapon for holiday baking soft, buttery centers with perfectly crackled powdered sugar edges that look like they’ve been kissed by fresh snow. Every bite melts on your tongue with that signature gooey texture that makes them utterly irresistible.
I’m Emeli, and I’ve been perfecting this recipe for years in my kitchen at FoodFansy. The first time I made these was during a chaotic December when I needed cookies for three holiday parties and didn’t have time for complicated decorating. My grandmother always said the best recipes are the ones that make people feel something and when I watched guests close their eyes with that first bite, I knew I’d found magic in simplicity.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through choosing the right ingredients, mastering the signature gooey texture, and troubleshooting common issues so your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies turn out perfect every single time.
Why This Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe Works
These cookies deliver maximum impact with minimal effort the perfect combination for busy holiday baking.
- Uses simple pantry staples you likely already have on hand
- No chilling required—just a quick 10-minute rest makes rolling easier
- Perfect for cookie exchanges, gift-giving, or cozy nights by the tree
- That signature crackled appearance happens naturally as they bake
- Stays soft for days thanks to the cream cheese and butter combination
Choosing the Right Ingredients for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
The secret to perfect Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies lies in using quality ingredients at the right temperature.
Best Ingredients for This Recipe
Cream cheese and butter are the heart of these cookies. The combination creates that signature tender, gooey texture that sets them apart from ordinary sugar cookies. Full-fat cream cheese works best don’t substitute with reduced-fat versions or you’ll lose that melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Room temperature matters. Bringing both your butter and cream cheese to room temperature (about 65-70°F) ensures they cream together smoothly, creating tiny air pockets that make the cookies light and tender.
Buying Tips
Look for unsalted butter so you can control the salt level in your cookies. Check the date on your cream cheese—fresher is always better for flavor and texture.
For flour, the spoon-and-level method prevents overpacking, which can lead to dense, cakey cookies instead of that tender crumb we’re after.
Substitutions
While these cookies are pretty straightforward, you can swap vanilla extract for almond extract for a different flavor profile, or add a touch of lemon zest to the dough for brightness.
Ingredients & Prep for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Cookie Prep Essentials
Bring butter and cream cheese to room temperature. This is non-negotiable. Cold ingredients won’t cream properly, and you’ll end up with lumpy dough and dense cookies. Set them out about 45-60 minutes before baking.
Measure flour accurately using the spoon-and-level method. Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Don’t scoop directly from the bag or pack it down.
Cookie Dough Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1½ cups powdered sugar (for rolling)
Rest time: Let dough sit for 10 minutes after mixing to make rolling easier and give the flour time to hydrate.
Pantry Staples
Baking powder provides just enough lift to create soft, pillowy cookies without making them cakey. Vanilla extract adds warmth and enhances all the other flavors, making these cookies taste complex despite the simple ingredient list.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Let me walk you through each step to ensure your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies turn out perfectly gooey every time.
Pre-Cooking Prep for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Cream the butter, cream cheese, and sugar together using an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step is essential for creating soft cookies with the right texture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through to ensure everything incorporates evenly.
Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth and well combined.
Cooking Method for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined. Don’t overmix stop as soon as you no longer see flour streaks.
Let the dough rest for 10 minutes. This brief rest makes the dough easier to handle and helps the cookies hold their shape better.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Pour the powdered sugar into a shallow bowl. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls (about a tablespoon of dough each), then roll generously in powdered sugar until completely coated. Place on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes. The timing is crucial here you want them just set on the edges.
Doneness Check for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Your Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are done when they look set around the edges but still soft and slightly underdone in the center. They should have beautiful cracks forming in the powdered sugar coating, and the centers will still look a bit puffed. Don’t wait for them to look completely done or you’ll lose that signature gooey texture. They’ll firm up slightly as they cool but should remain tender.
Resting Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. This resting period allows the cookies to set just enough to move without breaking and locks in that perfect soft, gooey center. If you move them too soon, they’ll fall apart; if you wait too long, they might stick to the pan.
Pro Tips for Perfect Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Avoiding Dense or Dry Cookies
Don’t overbake. These cookies should look slightly underdone when you pull them from the oven. The residual heat continues cooking them on the pan.
Measure flour correctly. Too much flour is the number one reason cookies turn out dry and cakey instead of gooey.
Cream the butter and cream cheese thoroughly. Those 2-3 minutes of mixing create the structure for soft, tender cookies.
Tool Recommendations
A cookie scoop (1-tablespoon size) ensures uniform cookies that bake evenly. Parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup effortless. An electric mixer makes creaming the butter and cream cheese much easier and more effective than doing it by hand.
Storage & Reheating
Store Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They stay remarkably soft thanks to the cream cheese. For longer storage, freeze unbaked dough balls (before rolling in powdered sugar) for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, roll frozen dough balls in powdered sugar and add 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
Flavor Variations for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
While the classic version is absolutely divine, these cookies are a wonderful canvas for creative twists.
Festive Holiday Twist
Add ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract along with the vanilla, or fold in ½ cup of crushed candy canes or mini chocolate chips after mixing the dough. For a cozy spiced version, add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg to the flour mixture.
Chocolate Lovers
Replace ¼ cup of the flour with unsweetened cocoa powder for chocolate gooey butter cookies. Roll them in powdered sugar mixed with a tablespoon of cocoa for a striking appearance.
Citrus Variation
Add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon or orange zest to the dough for a bright, refreshing twist that cuts through the richness beautifully.
| Variation | Addition | Flavor Profile | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | Vanilla extract | Pure, buttery sweetness | Traditional holiday gatherings |
| Peppermint | ½ tsp peppermint extract + crushed candy canes | Cool, minty freshness | Christmas cookie exchanges |
| Chocolate | ¼ cup cocoa powder | Rich, chocolatey indulgence | Chocolate lovers |
| Spiced | ½ tsp cinnamon + ¼ tsp nutmeg | Warm, cozy spice notes | Winter celebrations |
| Citrus | 1 tbsp lemon or orange zest | Bright, refreshing tang | Spring holiday events |
| Almond | Swap vanilla for almond extract | Nutty, aromatic sweetness | Elegant dessert tables |
Serving Suggestions for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies shine on their own, but they’re also wonderful paired with your favorite holiday beverages and desserts.
Serve them alongside hot cocoa, spiced apple cider, or a creamy eggnog latte. Their sweet, buttery flavor pairs beautifully with coffee or chai tea for a cozy afternoon break.
For an impressive holiday dessert spread, arrange them on a platter with chocolate truffles, peppermint bark, and fresh berries. The powdered sugar coating makes them look elegant and festive with zero decorating effort.
They’re also perfect for cookie exchange parties the recipe doubles easily, and everyone always asks for the recipe when they taste that signature gooey center.
FAQs About Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days before baking. Let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before rolling into balls, as it will firm up in the fridge.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
This usually happens if the butter and cream cheese were too soft or if the dough wasn’t rested. Make sure ingredients are at room temperature (not melted or greasy) and always allow that 10-minute rest period.
Can I freeze baked cookies?
Yes! Let them cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
My powdered sugar coating disappeared what happened?
The sugar partially melts into the cookie during baking, creating those beautiful cracks. For a more pronounced coating, roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice once before baking and again immediately when they come out of the oven while still warm.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can, but reduce or omit any additional salt in the recipe. Unsalted butter gives you better control over the final flavor.
Conclusion
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are proof that the most memorable holiday treats don’t require complicated techniques or hours of decorating. With just a handful of pantry staples and about 30 minutes, you can create cookies that look stunning and taste like pure magic.
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity it’s forgiving for beginners yet delivers results that impress even the pickiest cookie connoisseurs. That crackled powdered sugar exterior and impossibly soft, gooey center have made these a permanent fixture in my holiday baking rotation.
If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to share it with your friends or save it for later! I’d love to see your unique twist feel free to post your photos on Pinterest!
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies – Soft, Festive & Irresistible
- Total Time: 32
- Yield: 24 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat with soft, buttery centers and beautifully crackled powdered sugar edges. Made with cream cheese and butter, they melt in your mouth with every bite and stay perfectly soft for days. Simple to make with no chilling required, they’re perfect for cookie exchanges, gift-giving, or cozy nights by the tree.
Ingredients
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
1. Bring butter and cream cheese to room temperature (45-60 minutes before baking).
2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down sides of bowl halfway through.
4. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder.
6. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined. Do not overmix.
7. Let dough rest for 10 minutes to make rolling easier.
8. Pour powdered sugar into a shallow bowl.
9. Roll dough into 1-inch balls (about 1 tablespoon each).
10. Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until completely coated.
11. Place cookies on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
12. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges look set but centers are still soft. Cookies will have beautiful cracks in the powdered sugar coating.
13. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
14. Allow to cool completely. Cookies will firm up slightly but remain tender and gooey inside.
Notes
Room temperature ingredients are essential for the proper texture. Don’t skip this step.
Don’t overbake – cookies should look slightly underdone in the center when you remove them from the oven.
Use the spoon-and-level method for measuring flour to avoid dense cookies.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, freeze unbaked dough balls (before rolling in sugar) for up to 3 months. Roll in powdered sugar and add 1-2 minutes to baking time when baking from frozen.
For extra powdered sugar coating, roll cookies in sugar again immediately after removing from oven while still warm.
Variations: Add 1/2 tsp peppermint extract, crushed candy canes, mini chocolate chips, or 1 tbsp citrus zest for different flavors.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 12
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 65
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 19
- Fiber: 0.3
- Protein: 1.5
- Cholesterol: 25
Keywords: christmas cookies, gooey butter cookies, holiday cookies, cream cheese cookies, powdered sugar cookies, easy christmas cookies, soft cookies, cookie exchange recipes, no chill cookies