Here’s a flavorful and easy-to-make Gooey Butter Cookies recipe that’s perfect for any occasion. These cookies have a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture with a rich buttery taste that keeps you coming back for more. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious treat that will impress your family and friends.
I first discovered this recipe while experimenting with different cookie textures, and after a few tweaks, I landed on the perfect balance of sweetness and gooeyness. Now, it’s one of my go-to desserts for holidays, parties, or just a quick indulgence.
Why You’ll Love These Gooey Butter Cookies
- Easy to Make: Requires simple ingredients and minimal effort.
- Soft and Chewy: The perfect combination of a crisp outer layer with a gooey center.
- Versatile: Can be customized with different flavors or toppings.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by kids and adults alike.
Ingredients Notes
- Butter: Use unsalted butter for better control over the saltiness.
- Cream Cheese: Adds a creamy, rich texture to the cookies.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar provides the perfect sweetness.
- Egg: Helps bind the dough together.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor.
- Flour: All-purpose flour works best for this recipe.
- Baking Powder: Ensures the cookies rise properly.
- Powdered Sugar: Used for coating the cookies to create the classic crackled look.
How To Make These Gooey Butter Cookies
Making Gooey Butter Cookies is a simple and rewarding process that results in soft, chewy, and melt-in-your-mouth treats. These cookies are made with a few key ingredients, including cream cheese and butter, which give them their signature texture. Follow these step-by-step instructions to achieve perfect Gooey Butter Cookies every time!
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients measured and ready:
✅ 8 oz (1 package) cream cheese, softened
✅ ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
✅ 1 large egg
✅ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
✅ 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
✅ 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Optional Add-ins:
- Zest of 1 lemon or orange (for a citrusy touch)
- ½ cup white chocolate chips (for extra sweetness)
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
1️⃣ Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese – In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and fluffy. This should take about 2 minutes.
2️⃣ Add Egg and Vanilla – Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well incorporated. The mixture should be light and creamy.
3️⃣ Incorporate the Cake Mix – Gradually add the yellow cake mix to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed at first to prevent a floury mess, then increase speed until everything is well combined. The dough will be thick and sticky—this is normal!
4️⃣ Chill the Dough – Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight). Chilling helps firm up the dough, making it easier to handle and roll into balls.
Step 3: Shape and Coat the Cookies
1️⃣ Preheat the Oven – Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2️⃣ Roll the Dough into Balls – Once chilled, scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a smooth ball using your hands. If the dough is too sticky, lightly dust your hands with powdered sugar.
3️⃣ Coat in Powdered Sugar – Roll each cookie dough ball generously in powdered sugar, ensuring an even coating. This creates the beautiful crinkled look after baking.
4️⃣ Place on Baking Sheet – Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
1️⃣ Bake for 10-12 Minutes – Bake the cookies in the preheated oven until the edges are set, but the centers still look soft and slightly underbaked. They will firm up as they cool.
2️⃣ Let Cool on the Pan – Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This prevents them from breaking apart while warm.
3️⃣ Enjoy! – Serve warm for an ultra-gooey texture, or let them cool completely for a slightly firmer yet still soft bite.
Pro Tips for the Best Gooey Butter Cookies
✔ Don’t overbake – These cookies should be soft in the center, so remove them when they still look slightly underbaked.
✔ Chill the dough – This step is essential for easier rolling and the perfect chewy texture.
✔ Coat generously in powdered sugar – This gives the cookies their signature crinkled, snowy appearance.
✔ Experiment with flavors – Try using different cake mix flavors like chocolate, lemon, or funfetti for a fun twist!
Storage Options
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Refrigeration: If you prefer a chilled texture, store them in the fridge for up to a week.
- Freezing: Freeze the cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Variations and Substitutions
Gooey Butter Cookies are a versatile treat that can be customized in many ways to suit your taste preferences. Whether you want to experiment with flavors, adjust the ingredients to accommodate dietary needs, or add creative mix-ins, there are plenty of ways to make these cookies your own. Here are some of the best variations and substitutions to try!
1. Cake Mix Variations
The beauty of these cookies comes from using a boxed cake mix, and you can switch up the flavor for a whole new cookie experience!
🍫 Chocolate Lovers’ Version – Swap the yellow cake mix for a devil’s food cake mix or chocolate fudge cake mix to create rich, brownie-like cookies.
🍋 Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies – Use lemon cake mix and add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest for a bright, citrusy flavor.
🎉 Funfetti Celebration Cookies – Opt for a funfetti cake mix and mix in extra rainbow sprinkles for a festive twist.
🥥 Coconut Delight – Use white cake mix and stir in ½ cup of shredded coconut for a tropical-inspired cookie.
2. Flavor Enhancements
Take the flavor up a notch with these easy additions:
🍯 Brown Butter Boost – Replace regular butter with browned butter for a deep, nutty flavor.
🌰 Nutty Goodness – Add ½ cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for a crunchy texture.
🍦 Rich Vanilla Flavor – Swap regular vanilla extract for vanilla bean paste to enhance the aroma and taste.
☕ Espresso Kick – Add ½ teaspoon of espresso powder to intensify the flavor, especially when using a chocolate cake mix.
3. Mix-Ins for Extra Texture
Give your cookies an exciting texture with these mix-ins:
🍫 Chocolate Chips – Stir in ½ cup of dark, milk, or white chocolate chips for melty pockets of chocolate.
🍬 Crushed Toffee or Caramel Bits – Fold in ½ cup of toffee bits or soft caramel pieces for extra chewiness.
🍓 Dried Fruit – Add ½ cup of dried cranberries, cherries, or raisins for a fruity contrast.
🥜 Peanut Butter Swirl – Mix in 2 tablespoons of peanut butter to the dough or add ½ cup of peanut butter chips for a nutty variation.
4. Dietary Substitutions
If you have dietary restrictions, here are some easy swaps:
🌾 Gluten-Free Gooey Butter Cookies – Use a gluten-free cake mix to make this recipe gluten-free. Brands like Betty Crocker and King Arthur offer great options.
🥛 Dairy-Free Option – Replace cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese and use vegan butter instead of regular butter.
🥚 Egg-Free Version – Substitute the egg with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce or 1 flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water, let sit for 5 minutes).
🍯 Lower Sugar Alternative – Use a sugar-free cake mix and roll cookies in coconut flour or a powdered sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener.
5. Holiday and Seasonal Twists
Celebrate the seasons with these fun holiday-inspired versions:
🎃 Pumpkin Spice Gooey Butter Cookies – Use a spice cake mix and add 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice for a cozy fall treat.
🎄 Peppermint Mocha Cookies – Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and ½ cup crushed candy canes for a festive holiday version.
🧡 Valentine’s Day Strawberry Cookies – Use a strawberry cake mix and mix in white chocolate chips for a pink, sweet Valentine’s treat.
🇺🇸 Fourth of July Red, White & Blue Cookies – Use a vanilla cake mix and fold in red and blue sprinkles for a patriotic twist.
With all these variations and substitutions, you can make Gooey Butter Cookies in countless ways to fit your mood, occasion, or dietary needs. Try a new combination each time and find your favorite version of this delicious, melt-in-your-mouth cookie! 🍪✨
Conclusion
Gooey Butter Cookies are an irresistible treat that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or just craving a sweet snack, these cookies will not disappoint. Try them today and enjoy their rich, buttery goodness!