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 (as needed for coating); Holiday sprinkles (as needed for rolling)

There’s something irresistibly festive about soft, melty cookies that just melt in your mouth. This Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe brings that magic with a perfect blend of cream cheese and cake mix for a truly special holiday treat you’ll want to make over and over again.

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

This cookie recipe quickly became one of my holiday favorites because it’s just so simple yet delivers that decadent, buttery softness you don’t get in typical cookies. Plus, the combination of cake mix and cream cheese makes these cookies uniquely ooey gooey—and perfect for Christmas gifting or a cozy night in.

Quick and Easy: Ready in under an hour, even with chilling time, so you can whip up a batch without stress.
Deliciously Soft Texture: Thanks to the cream cheese, these cookies stay soft and can almost feel like little bites of cake.
Customizable Flavors: You can use any cake mix flavor to change things up—vanilla, red velvet, chocolate, you name it.
Festive Appearance: Rolling the dough balls in sprinkles and powdered sugar makes them look as good as they taste for the holidays.

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 plays an important role in creating that perfect, tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture. Plus, it’s fun to tweak and try different cake mix flavors to make it your own.

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

Cake Mix: The base of flavor and structure here. I usually stick with yellow for that classic buttery taste, but chocolate or spice cake mix can bring nice twists.
Butter (softened): Adds richness and helps create that tender crumb cookie texture.
Vanilla Extract: A little flavor booster to round out the sweetness and deepen the cookie’s aroma.
Cream Cheese (softened): This ingredient is the secret to the cookies' signature ooey gooey texture and slight tanginess, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
Egg: Binds everything together while helping with moisture and richness.
Powdered Sugar: For coating the cookie dough balls, it adds a delicate sweetness and that snowy look perfect for Christmas.
Holiday Sprinkles: Not just for fun—they add a crunch contrast and festive cheer to these soft cookies.

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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

One of the best things about this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I love adding my own spin to keep things exciting and fresh, and I encourage you to explore different twists too!

Variation: Personally, switching the cake mix to red velvet and using white chocolate chips instead of sprinkles created a decadent holiday treat that my family couldn't get enough of.
Dietary Mods: For a gluten-free option, try gluten-free cake mixes—they usually work well and keep the same texture.
Flavor Boost: Adding a teaspoon of almond extract instead of vanilla can add a lovely nutty nuance that's amazing around the holidays.
Sprinkle Swap: I sometimes use crushed candy canes for a minty, festive crunch instead of regular sprinkles.

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

Step 1: Cream Together the Butter, Garlic & Cheese (Well, Not Garlic!)

Start by beating together the softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and egg until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. A good mixer helps here, but you can do it by hand if you’re patient. I’ve found that beating this mixture properly is key to that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 2: Mix in Your Cake Mix

Next, add the cake mix and blend until fully incorporated. The dough will look soft but sturdy—a little sticky, but that’s exactly what we want for those soft cookies.

Step 3: Chill Out

Pop the dough into the fridge for at least 30 minutes (up to an hour). This resting time makes rolling the dough easier and helps the cookies keep their shape while baking.

Step 4: Roll in Sprinkles and Powdered Sugar

Once chilled, scoop and roll dough balls, then coat them first in holiday sprinkles and then roll in powdered sugar until they’re completely covered. This double coating gives the cookies their festive look and that beautiful crackled top.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes. You’re aiming for lightly browned edges but still soft centers. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack—that’s when they'll set just right but stay delightfully soft.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a handful of tips that really make a difference with this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe. They’re simple but will ensure you get the perfect texture and appearance every time.

Chill the Dough Properly: Don’t skip the chilling step. It makes rolling easier and improves the cookie’s texture, keeping them soft instead of spreading too thin.
Don’t Overbake: It’s tempting to bake until they look “done,” but slightly underbaking keeps them super soft and gooey inside.
Softened Ingredients Matter: Make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for smooth mixing and consistent dough.
Sprinkle Coating: I always roll in sprinkles first, then powdered sugar to get that pretty, festive crackle that makes these cookies pop on a dessert tray.

How to Serve Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love serving these cookies with a dusting of extra powdered sugar right before guests arrive for that snowy look. Adding a few extra holiday sprinkles around the plate completes the festive vibe. Sometimes I tuck a small peppermint stick on the serving tray for a minty touch that’s always a hit.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a hot cup of cocoa or spiced holiday tea to balance their sweetness. They also go surprisingly well alongside fruitcake or a small cheese platter, which brings a nice contrast when hosting holiday get-togethers.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve tried stacking these cookies in a clear mason jar tied with a simple red ribbon as last-minute gifts, and I swear it’s a crowd-pleaser every time. For parties, I arrange them in festive cupcake liners on a tiered dessert stand decorated with fresh holly and pine sprigs—instantly charming and easy to grab.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cookies stay wonderfully soft but if you want to keep them fresh longer, refrigeration helps without drastically changing the texture.

Freezing

Freezing works wonderfully with this recipe. I freeze baked cookies flat on a tray, then transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature for a few hours, and they’ll taste almost freshly baked!

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the cookies in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or microwave them for 10 to 15 seconds. This restores that lovely gooey texture without drying them out—just keep an eye not to overheat!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use any flavor cake mix for this Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe is very versatile. I’ve successfully used yellow, chocolate, red velvet, and even spice cake mixes, and each brings a lovely unique twist. Just make sure the cake mix is standard and not pudding- or frosting-filled.

What’s the secret to getting the cookies extra soft and gooey?

The magic comes from using softened cream cheese and butter, as well as not overbaking them. Also, chilling the dough before baking helps them hold shape but stay soft inside. Removing the cookies from the oven once edges lightly brown but centers still look soft is key.

Can I make these cookies ahead for a Christmas party?

Definitely! You can prepare the cookie dough balls, roll them in sprinkles and powdered sugar, then freeze them raw on a baking sheet. When ready, bake straight from frozen, just add a minute or two to the baking time. This trick is a lifesaver for holiday prepping!

Are there any tips to prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Yes! Chilling your dough before baking is essential to prevent spreading. Also, using softened—not melted—butter helps maintain the dough’s structure. Lastly, don't press the cookie dough balls down; let them bake into their natural shape.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Ooey Gooey Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is one of those holiday classics I always turn to when I want something easy, festive, and totally delightful. The combination of cake mix and cream cheese gives you a cookie that’s soft, rich, and just a little bit indulgent—perfect to share with friends and family. I hope you find as much joy baking and nibbling on these as I do; trust me, once you try them, they’ll become a holiday staple in your kitchen too.