Is there anything better than the smell of buttery cookies baking during the holidays? These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies have been my go-to treat for years—ever since my grandma first showed me how to make them when I was barely tall enough to reach the counter. That first bite of soft, melt-in-your-mouth goodness with its perfect chewy center? Absolute magic.
What makes these cookies special isn’t just their rich, buttery flavor—it’s how they bring people together. Every December, my kitchen turns into a holiday workshop where friends and family gather to roll dough balls in powdered sugar (and inevitably get it everywhere). The cookies disappear almost as fast as we can bake them, especially when we add festive red and green colors and holiday sprinkles. Trust me, one taste of these, and you’ll understand why they’ve become our family’s most requested Christmas tradition.
The best part? They’re surprisingly simple to make with just basic pantry ingredients. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have trays of these cloud-soft treats ready to share (or sneak when no one’s looking). Just don’t blame me when your cookie jar empties faster than Santa’s plate on Christmas Eve!
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Let me tell you why these cookies will become your new holiday obsession:
- Effortlessly festive: A quick roll in powdered sugar gives them that snowy winter look, and adding food coloring makes them perfect for Christmas parties
- Melt-in-your-mouth texture: That perfect balance between soft, chewy, and slightly gooey – just like Grandma used to make
- Foolproof baking: No fancy techniques needed – if you can cream butter and sugar, you can make these cookies
- Holiday magic: The way these disappear from cookie trays proves they’re everyone’s favorite (I always make a double batch!)
- Memory maker: Rolling the dough balls with kids creates the sweetest holiday moments (and the messiest powdered sugar faces)
Seriously, one bite and you’ll understand why these have been my secret weapon for holiday baking for years.
Ingredients for Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need to make these holiday wonders – I promise you probably have most of this in your pantry already!
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (leave it out for 30 minutes – it should dent when pressed but not be greasy)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (this creates that perfect crackly sugar crust)
- 1 large egg (room temperature blends better – I just hold mine in my hands for a minute to warm it up)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (the good stuff makes all the difference!)
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spoon and level it – don’t scoop!)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (just enough lift without puffing them up too much)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (balances all that sweetness perfectly)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for rolling (you’ll need extra for your hands and counter too – trust me!)
- Red and green food coloring (optional) (gel works best for vibrant holiday colors)
- Sprinkles for decoration (optional) (I use the tiny round nonpareils – they stick better than big chunks)
See? Nothing fancy – just simple ingredients that transform into something magical. Now let’s get mixing!
How to Make Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Ready to make cookie magic? Follow these simple steps – I’ve made these so many times I could probably do it in my sleep (though I don’t recommend trying that). Just take it one step at a time, and you’ll have perfect holiday cookies before you know it!
Preparing the Dough
First things first – preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Now let’s make that dreamy dough:
- Cream together the softened butter and sugar in a large bowl until it’s light and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes with a hand mixer – you’ll know it’s ready when it looks almost like whipped cream.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract just until combined. Overmixing here can make your cookies tough, so stop as soon as it’s uniform.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in another bowl, then gently mix it into the wet ingredients. The dough should come together easily but still be soft – if it’s too sticky, you can chill it for 15 minutes.
Shaping and Decorating
Now for the fun part! Here’s how to turn that dough into festive little snowballs:
- If you’re doing colors, divide the dough in half and knead in a few drops of food coloring to each portion. Gel colors work best – they’re more vibrant and won’t make your dough sticky.
- Roll tablespoon-sized portions into smooth balls between your palms. Pro tip: Keep a little bowl of powdered sugar nearby to dust your hands – it prevents sticking!
- Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until completely coated (this creates that classic crackly finish). Place them 2 inches apart on your baking sheets.
- Gently press sprinkles on top if using – just a light tap so they stick but the cookies keep their round shape.
Baking and Cooling
Almost there! Here’s how to bake them to perfection:
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are just set but the centers still look soft. They’ll continue cooking as they cool, so don’t wait for them to brown!
- Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes – this is crucial or they’ll fall apart when you move them.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. The powdered sugar coating will set into that beautiful snowy crust we love.
See? I told you it was easy! Now try not to eat them all before your guests arrive…
Tips for Perfect Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
After making hundreds of these cookies over the years, I’ve picked up some tricks that guarantee success every time:
- Chill sticky dough: If your dough feels too soft after mixing, pop it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. Cold dough holds its shape better when rolling.
- Don’t overbake: Pull them out when the edges just set – the centers should still look slightly underdone. They firm up as they cool into that perfect soft texture.
- Use fresh powdered sugar: Old powdered sugar can clump. Sift it first if needed for that smooth snowy coating.
- Store right: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature with parchment between layers to prevent sticking. They taste even better the next day!
Follow these simple tips, and your cookies will turn out bakery-perfect every holiday season.
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
One of my favorite things about these cookies? How easily you can tweak them to suit your taste or what’s in your pantry! Here are some simple swaps I’ve tested over the years:
- Gluten-free? Swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend – just make sure it contains xanthan gum.
- Out of vanilla? Try almond or lemon extract instead for a fun flavor twist (use half the amount though – they’re stronger!).
- Skipping colors? The cookies are just as delicious plain – the powdered sugar coating makes them plenty festive.
- Butter alternatives: Margarine works in a pinch, but real butter gives that rich flavor we love.
The possibilities are endless – make them your own!
Storing and Serving Suggestions
Here’s how I keep these cookies tasting fresh all week (if they last that long!):
- Storage secret: Tuck cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment between layers – they’ll stay soft for up to 5 days at room temperature.
- Reviving leftovers: A quick 5-second zap in the microwave brings back that fresh-from-the-oven warmth.
- Perfect pairings: Serve with cold milk for classic nostalgia or coffee for a grown-up treat – the buttery cookies balance bitter brews beautifully.
Pro tip: Hide a few in the back of the cookie tin – you’ll thank me later when the first batch disappears!
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies Nutrition Facts
Just so you know what you’re indulging in (because let’s be real – no one eats just one of these!):
- Per cookie: About 120 calories
- Sweet stuff: 10g sugar (that powdered sugar coating adds up!)
- Buttery goodness: 6g total fat (4g saturated)
- Carbs: 15g per cookie (worth every bite)
Remember, these are estimates – your exact counts will vary a bit based on cookie size and ingredients. But hey, it’s Christmas – calories don’t count during the holidays, right?
Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about these cookies – here are the ones that pop up most often with my tried-and-true answers:
- Can I freeze the dough? Absolutely! Roll the dough balls first, freeze them on a tray, then transfer to a bag. When baking, just roll in powdered sugar while still frozen and add 1-2 minutes to the bake time.
- How do I prevent spreading? Make sure your butter isn’t too soft before creaming, and chill the dough if it feels warm. Also, don’t skimp on the powdered sugar coating – it acts as a barrier.
- Can I use salted butter? You can, but reduce the added salt to just a pinch. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the flavor though.
- Why are my cookies dry? You probably overbaked them – remember, they firm up as they cool! Next time, pull them out when the centers still look slightly underdone.
- Can I make these without eggs? I haven’t tried egg substitutes, but the egg is key for texture. Maybe try applesauce for half the egg if needed, but results may vary.
Still have questions? Just ask – I’m happy to help troubleshoot your batch!
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Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are soft, buttery, and slightly chewy with a festive touch. Perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for rolling
- Red and green food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles for decoration (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add to the butter mixture.
- Divide dough into two parts. Add red food coloring to one half and green to the other (optional).
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then coat in powdered sugar.
- Place on baking sheets, flatten slightly, and add sprinkles if desired.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set.
- Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Dough can be chilled for 30 minutes if too soft.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For a festive look, use holiday-themed sprinkles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, gooey butter cookies, holiday baking