Gooey butter cake cookies are soft, chewy cookies made with cake mix and cream cheese, with the buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture of gooey butter cake. They come together fast with simple ingredients, and rolling them in powdered sugar gives them that signature crackled top.
These are one of my favorites to make because they taste like a bakery cookie with very little effort. Add red and green sprinkles and they turn into the easiest Christmas cookies for a holiday cookie tray.
Why You'll Love These Gooey Butter Cookies
- Soft and chewy texture, these cookies stay soft in the middle and melt in your mouth.
- Buttery gooey butter cake flavor, they taste like the classic cake, only in cookie form.
- Easy, made with a box of cake mix and just a handful of pantry ingredients.
- Perfect for any occasion, dress them up with sprinkles for the holidays or leave them plain year-round.
Ingredients in Gooey Butter Cake Cookies
You only need a few simple ingredients.
- yellow cake mix
- unsalted butter, softened
- softened cream cheese
- large egg
- vanilla extract
- powdered sugar (for coating the dough)
- sprinkles, optional
How to Make Gooey Butter Cake Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until fully combined.
- Gradually stir in the yellow cake mix until everything comes together.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so the cookies do not spread.
- Scoop the chilled dough into tablespoon-sized portions and roll each into a ball.
- Coat each dough ball generously in powdered sugar, and in sprinkles if you like, until fully covered.
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each one.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the tops look slightly cracked but the centers are still soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
Quick Tips
Decoration Ideas
- Place powdered sugar in a small bowl and flatten the top of each dough ball slightly, then press red, white, and green sprinkles on top before baking.
- Roll the dough balls in sprinkles first, then in powdered sugar, for a fun, colorful look.
- Use any color sprinkles you like, so the cookies work for birthdays and other celebrations too, not just Christmas.
Flavor Ideas
- Lemon- swap the yellow cake mix for a lemon cake mix, or add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the dough.
- Almond- replace the vanilla extract with almond extract for a nuttier flavor.
- Chocolate- use a chocolate cake mix for a chocolate version of these gooey butter cookies.
How to Store Gooey Butter Cake Cookies
Let the cookies cool completely, then store them in an airtight container with parchment paper between the layers. Keep them in a cool, dry place at room temperature for up to 5 days.
To freeze, arrange the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet for an hour or two, then move them to a resealable freezer bag inside a freezer-safe container. They freeze well for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my gooey butter cookies spread flat?
They usually spread because the dough was not chilled long enough, or the butter and cream cheese were too warm. Chill the dough for a full 30 minutes and keep the ingredients cool for the best results.
How do I keep gooey butter cookies soft?
The cream cheese keeps them soft, and storing them in an airtight container locks in the moisture. Do not overbake them, because they keep cooking a little as they cool on the baking sheet.
Can I make gooey butter cookies without cake mix?
You can, but the recipe would be built from scratch with flour, sugar, and leavening. The cake mix is what makes these so quick and gives them their light, gooey texture.
More Easy Cookie Recipes
If you like these, you will also love these easy cookie recipes, from classic favorites to new ideas.
For another soft and chewy cookie, try these cream cheese sugar cookies.
Snowball cookies are another powdered sugar favorite that everyone loves.
These frosted sugar cookie bars are a fun choice for parties and holidays.
If you like baking with a mix, you will also enjoy this cake mix gingerbread loaf recipe.
📖 Recipe
Gooey Butter Cake Cookies with Cake Mix
Ingredients
- 1 15.25 ounce box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter - softened
- 8 ounce package cream cheese - softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar - for coating
- Christmas Sprinkles - optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Gradually stir in the yellow cake mix until everything is well combined.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm and prevent spreading.
- Scoop out the chilled dough into tablespoon-sized portions and roll each into a ball.
- Generously coat each dough ball in powdered sugar (and sprinkles if desired) until fully covered.
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cookies have a slightly cracked surface while remaining soft in the center.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate cooled and baked cookies.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
Decoration Ideas:
- Place powdered sugar in a separate bowl. Gently flatten the top of each cookie ball with the palm of your hand, then top it with Christmas sprinkles.
- Roll the cookie dough balls in red, white, and green sprinkles after shaping each cookie.
- For a fun combination, roll the dough in colorful sprinkles and then in powdered sugar.
Flavor Ideas:
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate based on third-party calculations. Actual values may vary due to ingredients, measurements, and serving sizes.
© Mama Needs Cake
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Dana is an experienced recipe creator who crafts easy and delicious recipes for all levels of home cooks.
Her recipes range from classic comfort foods to healthy and nutritious meals, and she is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to bring flavor and variety to the table.
