Festive Butter Cookies

Featured in Desserts That Transform Moments.

These soft cookies begin with a cake mix, combined with butter and cream cheese for a rich texture. Dip them in white chocolate, sprinkle with holiday colors, and watch them disappear at any get-together.

Sarah
Updated on Sat, 29 Mar 2025 23:33:11 GMT
Close view of soft cookies with powdered sugar and sprinkles on a cooling rack. Pin it
Close view of soft cookies with powdered sugar and sprinkles on a cooling rack. | chefmiarecipes.com

Joyful Holiday Butter Cookies With Melt-Away Softness

My kitchen always bursts with festive spirit when I whip up these heavenly Holiday Butter Cookies. Trust me, after countless seasons of cookie making, these velvety buttery delights will quickly become part of your yearly traditions. Don't worry about complexity—the steps are straightforward but what comes out of your oven is pure wonder.

The Holiday Treat You Won't Stop Craving

What I really dig about these cookies is how fast they come together. With just a 10-minute setup, your home will soon be filled with the most amazing holiday aromas. They've got that dream-worthy consistency—soft, gooey, and wonderfully moist inside. I can't count how many times they've vanished within moments at family get-togethers.

Basic Pantry Items For Cookie Wonder

  • Butter: Go for unsalted stuff so you can add just the right amount of saltiness to your batch.
  • Cream cheese: Don't forget to bring it to room temperature first for the smoothest cookie texture.
  • Egg: Letting your egg warm up helps it mix into the batter much more smoothly.
  • Vanilla extract: The real thing brings out so much more depth in these treats.
  • White cake mix: This is my secret weapon for cookies that turn out perfectly soft every single time.
  • Powdered sugar: It's what gives these goodies that gorgeous sweet outer layer.
  • Christmas sprinkles: Those green, red and white bits add that special holiday magic.
  • Chocolate melting chips: I always grab Ghirardelli white chocolate ones for that perfect melty topping.
A stack of four festive cookies with white chocolate and red and green sprinkles, displayed on a white plate. Pin it
A stack of four festive cookies with white chocolate and red and green sprinkles, displayed on a white plate. | chefmiarecipes.com

Cookie Baking Magic Steps

Blend Your Ingredients
First, beat your room temperature cream cheese with butter until it's light and airy. Add your egg and vanilla, then carefully mix in your cake mix and colorful sprinkles until everything's nicely combined.
Cool It Down
Cover your cookie mixture and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight. This makes handling way easier and lets all those yummy flavors get better.
Oven Ready
Heat your oven to 350°F. Put parchment paper or baking mats on your cookie sheets, drop spoonfuls of dough, and toss on extra sprinkles if you want them super festive.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What's the purpose of chilling the dough?

Chilling solidifies the mixture, making it easy to roll into shapes. It also stops the cookies from spreading out too much while cooking.

→ Can I change the sprinkle colors for other events?

Absolutely! Use different colors to fit whichever celebration or occasion you're baking for.

→ Is freezing these cookies possible?

Yes! Skip the chocolate step and freeze them. Once they thaw, dip them in chocolate and add your sprinkles.

→ Why are they known as gooey butter cookies?

They're named after gooey butter cake, borrowing its creamy, rich texture from cream cheese and butter.

→ What's the best way to store these cookies?

Place them in an airtight container at room temperature. Use wax paper between layers to keep them from sticking, and they'll stay fresh for about 5 days.

Christmas Butter Cookies

Buttery and soft cookies coated in white chocolate and topped with colorful sprinkles. They're an easy holiday go-to treat!

Prep Time
1440 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
1450 Minutes

Category: Sweet Comfort

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24 cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 teaspoon vanilla essence (use pure).
02 1/2 cup butter, unsalted and softened.
03 8 ounces of softened cream cheese.
04 1 large egg, room temperature.
05 15 ounces white cake mix powder.
06 1 1/2 cups festive sprinkles (red, white, and green).
07 2 cups white chocolate chips, perfect for melting.
08 1 cup powdered sugar, for coating.

Instructions

Step 01

Combine cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.

Step 02

Add the egg along with vanilla and mix well.

Step 03

Stir the cake mix in fully.

Step 04

Gently stir in 3/4 cup of sprinkles.

Step 05

Cover the bowl and chill in the fridge overnight.

Step 06

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Step 07

Use parchment or a silicone mat to line your sheets.

Step 08

Scoop up some dough and roll it into little balls.

Step 09

Roll balls in additional sprinkles if you'd like.

Step 10

Roll the dough balls in powdered sugar for a sweet layer.

Step 11

Space the dough balls out on your prepared sheets.

Step 12

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the cookies just start to turn golden.

Step 13

Transfer baked cookies to a wire rack to cool off.

Step 14

Melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl.

Step 15

Carefully dip one half of each cookie in the melted chocolate.

Step 16

Immediately sprinkle some sprinkles over the wet chocolate half.

Step 17

Wait until the chocolate is completely set and hardened.

Notes

  1. Using a cake mix makes these extra soft and easy.
  2. Great for holiday cookie swaps.
  3. Swap sprinkle colors to match other occasions.
  4. Don’t skip chilling the dough before baking!
  5. Store in an airtight container to keep them fresh.

Tools You'll Need

  • Hand or stand mixer.
  • Baking sheets.
  • Scoop for measuring dough.
  • Cooling rack for cookies.
  • Bowl that’s safe for microwaves.
  • Parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains butter and cream cheese (dairy).
  • Made with cake mix that has wheat.
  • Includes eggs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 124
  • Total Fat: 8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 13 g
  • Protein: 1 g