Name: Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix; 1/2 cup softened butter; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 8 ounces softened cream cheese; 1 egg; Powdered sugar (for rolling); Holiday sprinkles (for rolling)

There’s just something magical about biting into a soft, buttery cookie with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth center—that's exactly what the Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe delivers. These cookies are dreamy, easy to make, and festive enough to brighten any holiday cookie plate. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become your go-to Christmas treat.

The image shows a stack of four round cookies on a white plate. Each cookie is light yellow with a rough texture and is covered in red, green, and white sprinkles that stick out in small rod shapes, giving the cookies a festive look. One cookie leans against the stack, showing its full round shape and colorful sprinkle topping. In the background, there is another cookie on a metal baking tray, slightly out of focus, resting on a white marbled surface. A white and red striped cloth is partly visible at the bottom right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These cookies quickly became a staple in my holiday baking lineup because of how easy and forgiving they are, plus the incredible ooey-gooey texture that feels like a special treat.

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these in your kitchen, making it a quick recipe to whip up last minute.
Soft, Moist Texture: Thanks to the cream cheese and butter combo, the cookies stay tender and lively even days later.
Customizable Flavors: You can swap out the cake mix flavor to suit your holiday vibe or personal taste.
Festive & Fun: Rolling these in colorful holiday sprinkles and powdered sugar turns them into a delightful showstopper at any gathering.

A close-up of three soft, round cookies on a white plate, each covered in red, green, and white sprinkles that add texture and color. One cookie is slightly broken, showing its light yellow soft inside with a crumbly texture. The cookies have a slightly bumpy surface from the thick layer of sprinkles that cover the entire top and edges. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, making the bright colors of the sprinkles stand out. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe has a role that builds on the others to create that perfect soft, buttery bite. I love how the cake mix forms the cookie base, while cream cheese adds that lush moistness you can’t get from regular cookies.

Flat lay of a small mound of fine yellow cake mix, a half cup of soft pale yellow butter shaped into a smooth square, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, an 8-ounce block of creamy white cream cheese, a single whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl filled with powdered sugar, and a handful of festive holiday sprinkles in red, green, and white colors scattered artistically around, all arranged with perfect symmetry on simple white ceramic bowls and plates, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Yellow Cake Mix: The foundation here—using a cake mix means a tender crumb right out of the gate, and you can experiment with flavors like spice or chocolate for a twist.
Softened Butter: Adds richness and helps create that melt-in-your-mouth texture we love in butter cookies.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweet flavor, bringing warmth and depth to the cookies.
Softened Cream Cheese: This is the secret to the ooey gooey texture, keeping the cookies moist and soft long after baking.
Egg: Binds everything together and helps the cookies rise just right.
Powdered Sugar: Creates a delicate, sweet coating that complements the cookie's texture beautifully.
Holiday Sprinkles: For that festive touch and a fun crunch with every bite.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe whenever I feel like it. Sometimes I throw in some chopped nuts for crunch or swap sprinkles for mini chocolate chips. The sky’s the limit—and it’s fun making it your own.

Variation: One year, I used a chai-spiced cake mix and paired the cookies with a dusting of cinnamon sugar instead of powdered sugar. It was a total hit at our holiday party and felt extra cozy.
Dietary swaps: You can try dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives — they won’t be quite the same, but they still keep that soft texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up a Dreamy Dough

Start by beating the softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and egg together until the mixture is fluffy and smooth. This part is key to getting a light texture, so don’t rush it. I usually use my hand mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes.

Step 2: Fold in the Cake Mix

Add the cake mix to the wet ingredients and blend gently until everything is well combined. The dough will be a bit thick—perfect for shaping. If it feels too sticky, a quick chill in the fridge will help.

Step 3: Chill & Shape

Pop the dough into the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour. Chilling firms it up, making it easier to roll into balls. After chilling, roll the dough into small balls, then coat each in holiday sprinkles before rolling in powdered sugar. This two-step coating gives them that festive, snowy look and a sweet finish.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Bake your cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye on them—the edges should be gently browned but the center stays soft and slightly underbaked. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack, so they set just right without losing that ooey gooey magic.

Top Tip

From my experience, a few small details made all the difference in ensuring my Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe turns out perfectly every time. These tips have saved me from common pitfalls you might not expect.

Don't Skip Chilling: The dough can be sticky and difficult to handle without chilling. It also helps the cookies hold their shape nicely during baking.
Softened Ingredients Matter: Make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for smooth mixing and better texture.
Watch the Bake Time Closely: Underbaking slightly gives you that melting center, so don’t overbake or you’ll lose the ooey gooey texture.
Roll Twice for Festive Coating: Applying sprinkles before the powdered sugar keeps the sugar from sticking poorly, giving a neat and pretty finish.

How to Serve Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Christmas Gooey Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping these cookies with vibrant holiday sprinkles that really pop against the powdered sugar. Sometimes I even dust a little extra cinnamon sugar for a warm, cozy note that blends beautifully with the butteriness. It adds a little extra flair and flavor without overwhelming the cookie.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair perfectly with a steaming mug of hot cocoa or a cup of spiced tea. For a holiday party, they also complement savory cheese plates or fresh fruit platters—which balance the sweetness just right.

Creative Ways to Present

I like to serve my Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe on tiered dessert stands with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and festive greenery, like pine sprigs or holly. Wrapping a few up in cellophane tied with a red ribbon also makes a charming homemade gift for friends and neighbors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers stored in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay soft and chewy for about 3 to 4 days. If you live somewhere humid, the fridge works too but brings a slight firmness, so I usually let them come to room temp before serving.

Freezing

Freeze the unbaked dough balls by placing them on a baking sheet, freezing until solid, then transferring them to a sealed freezer bag. When you’re ready, pop them right into the oven—just add a couple extra minutes to the bake time, and you’ll have fresh cookies anytime you want.

Reheating

To refresh day-old cookies, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave does wonders to bring back that soft, gooey texture. If you prefer, warm them in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5 minutes for a gentle reheat that keeps the outside crisp but centers soft.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use any flavor of cake mix for this recipe?

Absolutely! I’ve tried chocolate, spice, and even red velvet cake mixes in this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe. Each gives a delicious twist and lets you customize to your holiday mood.

How long do these cookies stay fresh?

These cookies stay fresh and soft for about 3 to 4 days at room temperature when stored airtight. You can refrigerate them for longer freshness, but I recommend bringing them to room temperature before serving.

Can I freeze the dough or baked cookies?

Definitely! The unbaked dough balls freeze really well when individually frozen and stored in a freezer bag. Bake them directly from frozen, just adding a minute or two to the baking time. Baked cookies freeze okay but can lose a bit of that fresh-baked softness.

Why is cream cheese used in this cookie recipe?

Cream cheese is the magic behind the moist and tender texture that sets these cookies apart. It keeps the cookies soft and gives that characteristic ooey gooey quality that’s so irresistible.

Final Thoughts

Whenever I bake this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe, I’m reminded of how simple ingredients come together to create something truly special. They’re perfect for sharing, gifting, or just enjoying with a quiet cup of coffee. I hope you have just as much fun baking and tasting these as I do—it’s a holiday treat that never fails to delight!