Name: Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 47 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix (or any flavor cake mix you prefer); 1/2 cup softened butter; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 8 ounces softened cream cheese; 1 egg; Powdered sugar (enough for rolling cookies); Holiday sprinkles (for decoration)

There’s something wonderfully comforting about biting into a soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie during the holidays—and that’s exactly what you get with this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe. These cookies bring together buttery richness and festive sweetness, making them perfect for sharing or sneaking a few straight from the cooling rack.

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

I remember making these cookies last Christmas when I wanted something easy but extra special to bring to my family gathering. The texture is beyond anything you expect from a cake mix cookie—it’s soft, incredibly moist, and just so, well, ooey gooey. Plus, they scream holiday cheer with those bright sprinkles on top.

Super Simple: Uses a boxed cake mix so you save time without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Dreamy Texture: The combo of cream cheese and butter makes each bite irresistibly soft and moist.
Festive & Fun: Rolling the dough in sprinkles and powdered sugar adds a cheerful, irresistible crunch and sweetness.
Adaptable Flavor: You can swap out cake mix flavors to tailor these cookies for any holiday vibe or personal taste.

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 is here for a reason, working together to give these cookies their signature rich, soft, and buttery texture. Using softened butter and cream cheese creates moisture and tang, while the cake mix adds sweetness and structure.

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: Acts as the base with sweetness and tenderness; I love using vanilla or butter flavor for added richness.
Softened Butter: Adds creaminess and helps create that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Vanilla Extract: Boosts the flavor, making cookies taste homemade and inviting.
Softened Cream Cheese: Keeps cookies moist and adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness beautifully.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together and gives the dough structure without drying out.
Powdered Sugar: For coating, it creates a delicate sweet shell that contrasts perfectly with the soft cookie.
Holiday Sprinkles: Fun, festive, and adds a pop of color to make these cookies party-ready.

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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 how easy it is to personalize this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe. Over time, I’ve swapped sprinkles for mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts, depending on my mood or the crowd. Get creative—try different cake mix flavors, or add a splash of cinnamon or peppermint extract for an extra holiday twist.

Variation: One Christmas, I added crushed peppermint candies right into the dough before baking—it gave the cookies a magical festive crunch that wowed everyone.
Diet-Friendly Swap: If you’re sensitive to dairy, you could try vegan butter and vegan cream cheese to make these dairy-free. Just keep an eye on baking time—they might bake a bit faster.

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

Step 1: Whip the Base Mixture Until Fluffy

Start by beating together the softened butter, vanilla extract, egg, and cream cheese in a large bowl until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. I find using a hand mixer speeds this part up and gives you the smoothest texture. This step ensures your cookies will be soft and tender every time.

Step 2: Add Cake Mix and Chill the Dough

Next, stir in your cake mix until everything is fully incorporated. The dough will be a little sticky and soft—that’s exactly what you want. Pop the dough into the fridge for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Chilling makes the dough easier to handle and helps your cookies hold their shape during baking.

Step 3: Roll, Dip, and Coat

Once chilled, roll the dough into small balls—about one inch in diameter works great. Roll each ball in your choice of holiday sprinkles to get that fun sparkle, then dip and roll it in powdered sugar until it’s fully coated. The coating gives each cookie a sweet, delicate crust that’s just dreamy.

Step 4: Bake and Cool

Bake your cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them—the edges should just start to turn light golden brown, but the centers will look soft and slightly underbaked. That’s the ooey gooey magic! Let them cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. This cooling step is key for them to set perfectly without drying out.

Top Tip

After lots of testing this recipe, I found a few little tricks made all the difference. These tips will help you get that perfect ooey gooey texture and festive look every time.

Softening Ingredients: Make sure your butter and cream cheese truly are softened before mixing. Cold chunks will make it tough to blend, and your dough won’t come together right.
Don’t Overbake: Take the cookies out as soon as the edges brown lightly. That underbaked center is what gives you the melt-in-your-mouth softness.
Chilling is Key: Don’t skip the chilling step—it helps dough firm up so your cookies don’t spread too thin, keeping them thick and cushy.
Even Coating: Using powdered sugar after sprinkles not only looks beautiful but adds a subtle extra sweetness contrasting with the smooth dough inside.

How to Serve Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually stick with classic red and green holiday sprinkles because they brighten up the plate and add a happy crunch. Sometimes, I’ll toss on a few edible glitter flakes for a little shimmer if I’m feeling fancy. It’s all about that extra holiday sparkle that makes these cookies so joyful to serve.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine on their own, but I love pairing them with a warm mug of spiced hot chocolate or cozy eggnog to soak up that buttery goodness. If it’s a holiday cookie exchange, I sometimes serve alongside gingerbread or peppermint bark for a fun variety.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I arrange these cookies on festive platters with sprigs of pine or holly around the edges. Another favorite trick is stacking them between layers of wax paper in a pretty holiday tin—makes a thoughtful gift that feels homemade and heartfelt.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This keeps them soft and tender without drying out—a real plus when baking in bulk for holiday parties!

Freezing

If I plan ahead, I freeze the cookie dough balls on a lined tray before baking. Then I store them in a freezer-safe bag so I can bake fresh cookies anytime I want—just add a few extra minutes to the bake time when going from frozen.

Reheating

To warm up leftover cookies, I pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. This revives their softness and gives you that ooey gooey feeling all over again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a cake mix flavor other than yellow?

Absolutely! I’ve tried chocolate, vanilla, and even red velvet cake mixes. Each one creates a deliciously different version of these ooey gooey cookies, so feel free to get creative with your favorite holiday flavors.

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling helps the dough firm up, which means your cookies won’t spread too much as they bake. It also makes the dough easier to handle when rolling into balls, giving you thicker, softer cookies.

Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese, and you should get a similar texture. Just keep an eye on the bake time as it may vary slightly.

How do I keep these cookies soft after baking?

Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and avoid stacking them too much to prevent flattening. Adding a slice of bread in the container also helps keep the moisture in.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking lineup because it’s easy enough for busy days yet feels indulgent and festive. When you take that first bite, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s the kind of cookie that creates happy memories—the perfect treat to bake, share, and enjoy this season.