If you’re searching for the best Christmas cookie recipe that’s soft, chewy, and incredibly easy to make, these Gooey Butter Cookies for Christmas are exactly what you need. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive powdered-sugar coating, they’ve become a holiday favorite for families who love simple, homemade Christmas desserts. This classic cookie is perfect for cookie exchanges, gift boxes, or a warm plate of treats on Christmas Eve.
Made with cream cheese, butter, and almond extract, these gooey cookies offer a rich flavor and irresistibly soft texture that sets them apart from traditional holiday cookies. Their quick preparation time makes them one of the easiest Christmas baking recipes for busy families looking for festive treats without spending hours in the kitchen. Every bite delivers a buttery, sweet, and slightly tangy flavor that both kids and adults adore.
These holiday butter cookies require only a handful of simple ingredients, yet they deliver a gourmet bakery-style finish. Rolling them in powdered sugar creates that signature snowy look—perfect for Christmas parties, dessert tables, and holiday photos. Because the dough needs just a short chill time, this recipe fits beautifully into last-minute holiday planning or spontaneous festive baking sessions.
Whether you’re preparing cookies for Santa, hosting a Christmas dinner, or planning a holiday movie night, these Gooey Butter Cookies will become your go-to treat every year. They’re soft, chewy, gooey in the center, lightly crisp on the edges, and packed with that cozy holiday flavor everyone loves. If you want a Christmas cookie recipe that’s easy, reliable, and truly delicious, this is the one to save and share.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients :
½ cup salted butter 113 grams, room temperature (1 stick) — European style recommended
8 ounces cream cheese 227 grams, room temperature (1 brick)
1½ cups granulated sugar 300 grams
1 large egg 50 grams, room temperature
1 teaspoon almond extract 4 grams
2¼ cups all-purpose flour 270 grams
½ cup powdered sugar 57 grams, divided
1 tablespoon baking powder 12 grams
Step-by-Step Instructions For Best Gooey Butter Cookies for Christmas
Instructions :
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking soft and gooey Christmas cookies. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the salted butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes smooth, light, and fluffy. This step is essential for achieving the classic texture of Gooey Butter Cookies, a beloved holiday treat.
With the mixer running on medium speed, add the egg followed by the almond extract, allowing each ingredient to blend in fully before adding the next. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and ¼ cup of powdered sugar. This dry mixture will help create the perfect soft, chewy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes these cookies one of the best Christmas cookie recipes.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the creamed butter mixture. Mix until a smooth cookie dough forms. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking and enhances their gooey center. Meanwhile, line a large baking sheet with nonstick parchment paper and pour the remaining ¼ cup powdered sugar into a shallow dish for rolling.
Once the dough is chilled, use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to form evenly sized dough balls. Immediately roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar until fully coated, creating that signature snowy Christmas cookie look. Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, six at a time, to allow room for spreading. Bake for 10–11 minutes, or until the tops are no longer shiny and the edges feel slightly firm. For extra-gooey cookies, stick to the shorter baking time. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Delicious Variations:
• Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies
Add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon zest and replace the almond extract with lemon extract. These bright and tangy cookies are perfect for anyone who loves citrus-flavored Christmas desserts and wants a refreshing twist on the classic recipe.
• Chocolate Chip Gooey Butter Cookies
Fold ½ cup of mini chocolate chips into the dough before chilling. This variation creates rich, chocolaty cookies that kids adore and that perform extremely well in holiday cookie boxes and dessert platters.
• Peppermint Christmas Gooey Cookies
Replace the almond extract with peppermint extract and fold in ¼ cup of crushed candy canes. This festive version is ideal for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, and holiday gift baskets.
• Almond Snowball Gooey Cookies
Roll the dough in a mix of powdered sugar and finely ground almonds. This creates a nutty, melt-in-your-mouth cookie perfect for winter baking and holiday gatherings.
• Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cookies
Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder and a few drops of red food coloring to transform the dough into stunning red velvet Christmas cookies—eye-catching and perfect for Instagram-friendly holiday treats.
Practical Tips:
• Use room-temperature ingredients
Cream cheese, butter, and eggs blend much more easily at room temperature. This ensures a smooth dough and guarantees those perfect soft-and-chewy holiday cookies.
• Don’t skip the chill time
Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much and keeps the center perfectly gooey. Even an extra 10 minutes in the fridge can make a big difference.
• Roll generously in powdered sugar
The thicker the powdered sugar coating, the prettier and more festive your cookies will look. It also helps create that classic crinkle effect everyone loves in Christmas cookie recipes.
• Bake on the shorter time for extra gooeyness
For ultra-soft, gooey butter cookies, remove them from the oven when the tops are just set. They will continue to firm up slightly as they cool on the baking sheet.
• Store properly to keep them soft
Place cooled cookies in an airtight container with a small piece of bread or a marshmallow to maintain moisture. They stay soft and delicious for up to 4–5 days.
