Hooey Gooey Butter Cookies for Christmas

Components:

1. One box (8 oz) of softened cream cheese
2. 1/2 cup (1 stick) softened unsalted butter
3. One egg
4. One teaspoon of vanilla extract
5. One box of yellow cake mix (or white cake mix), weighing approximately 15.25 ounces
6. One-fourth cup powdered sugar (for cookie rolling)
7. 1/4 cup of green and red sprinkles for a festive look

Directions:

• Turn the oven on to 350°F (175°C) to preheat it. For easier cleanup, line a baking sheet with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
• Combine wet ingredients: Beat the egg, butter, and cream cheese in a big bowl until they are smooth and creamy. Beat in the vanilla essence until incorporated.
• Add the cake mix: Mix the cake mix into the wet ingredients gradually until it is well blended. This is ideal—the dough will be thick, sticky, and just a little bit mushy.
• Chill the dough (optional but useful): Put the dough in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes if you have the time. Although it’s not necessarily required, doing this will make handling it easier.
• Shape the cookies: Form tiny dough balls, about 1 inch in diameter, using a spoon or cookie scoop. Coat each ball completely by rolling it in powdered sugar. When baked, this gives the cookies their distinctive crackling look.
• To bake the cookies, arrange the dough balls, about 2 inches apart, on the baking sheet that has been prepared. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the centers are still warm and gooey but the rims are starting to turn a light brown. The goal of these cookies is to have a soft, chewy center, so avoid overbaking!
• Decorate: To add a festive touch, scatter red and green sprinkles over the warm cookies. As an alternative, you can sprinkle extra powdered sugar for a snowy effect or drizzle some icing over them when they cool.
• Cool: After letting the cookies cool on the baking sheet for roughly five minutes, move them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Advice:

• Variations on cake mixes: Although yellow cake mix is the standard option, you can also use white cake mix or, for a unique touch, chocolate cake mix.
• Add-ins: You may add chopped candy canes, micro chocolate chips, or even a little cinnamon for a spiced version to make these cookies even more unique.
• For a more buttery taste: If you want the cookies to taste even richer and butterier, you can add 3/4 cup of butter.
• Storage: Keep these cookies for up to five days in an airtight container. They are ideal for creating in advance or giving as gifts since they keep their softness and gooeyness for a long time.

The Reasons They’re Ideal for Christmas:

• Festive appearance: The sprinkles provide a little Christmas brightness, and the powdered sugar gives the cookies a snow-covered, cracked appearance.
• Simple to prepare: All you need is a box of cake mix and a few ingredients, and you can quickly produce a batch that’s perfect for last-minute holiday baking.
• Kid-friendly: Making and decorating these cookies with young children is a lot of fun!

A future holiday favorite, these Christmas Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are ideal for cookie exchanges, joyous gatherings, or simply spreading some holiday love. Savor the deliciousness that melts in your lips!