Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe (2024)

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These Gooey Butter cookies are made with a yellow cake mix, butter, cream cheese, and a few additional ingredients. They are so gooey, chewy, and moist – it’s impossible to resist them!

When you need a quick and easy cookie recipe, cake mix cookies are the way to go! They’re so convenient, and you can easily switch up the flavors depending on the mix—like these Lemon Cookies, or Funfetti Cookies!

made with cake mix – so easy!

We love making cookies with the kids, and today’s recipe for Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies (aka Butter Cookies) are a family-favorite. They are made with cake mix, butter and cream cheese and are so soft and moist that I have yet to meet someone who didn’t like them.

If you’re looking for a quick cookie recipe that will be a hit – this is your treat (they’re just as good as our Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies and Sugar Cookies)! This cookie is pretty much half a cookie and half a cupcake, and you really can’t go wrong with that. 😉

Another reason why I LOVE this recipe is because it can be easily changed up. Based on whatever cake mix you use, you can change the flavor up. You can also add candy and sprinkles on top or in the cookies which can take them to a whole new level.

For this specific recipe, we always use a yellow cake mix, and just sprinkle powdered sugar on top right when they come out of the oven. The powdered sugar melts and lightly frosts the top of the cookie.

Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe (2)

Making Yellow Cake Mix Cookies

We love simple cookies and love that these yellow cake mix cookies are just that.

To make them, beat butter, vanilla, egg and cream cheese until fluffy. Add the cake mix and mix until combined.

Chill for 30 minutes. Once chilled, roll into 1 – 1 1/2 inch balls and roll in a bowl of powdered sugar. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Once out, sift more powdered sugar on top if desired.

Place on wax paper to cool. Before cooling and right when you take the cookies out, that is the perfect time to add candy on top. We’ve added Hershey’s kisses when we’ve made gooey butter cookies with chocolate cake mix, and they are amazing!

Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe (3)

Flavor variations

The possibilities are endless when it comes to the different kinds of gooey butter cookies you can make. This is partially because Betty Crocker and Pillsbury and Duncan Hines are constantly releasing new cake mixes, which means there are more recipes to try.

Here are some of the other recipes we’ve tried using the same recipe but with a different cake mix, and adding a few toppings.

  • Gooey Chocolate Rolo Butter Cookies –Chocolate Cake Mix with a Rolo inside
  • Gooey Monster Cookies –Dyed cake mix with candy eyeballs on top – perfect for Halloween!
  • Butter Pumpkin Cookies –Pumpkin Cookies using pumpkin cake mix, which is a seasonal product.
  • Pink and Blue Velvet Butter Cookies – used making Pink and Blue velvet cake mixes.
Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe (4)

Additional Tips

Storing.Once cool, place ooey gooey butter cookies into an air-tight container and place on the counter for up to 3 days. They should take soft during that time period and although they have butter and cream cheese, they do not need to be refrigerated.

Can you make a cake version of these cookies?I’m so glad you asked! You can, and it’s one of our favorites. We have a recipe for Gooey Butter Cake which uses similar ingredients and makes a delicious cake/bar version of these cookies. Check it out HERE.

Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe (5)

For more favorite cookies, check out:

  • Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • No Bake Cookies
  • Peanut Butter Cookies
  • Snickerdoodles
  • Cream Cheese Cookies
  • Butter Cookies

Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe (6)

Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe (7)

Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna

Whether you call them butter cookies or cake mix cookies, you know they are ultra yummy! These cookies are made with a yellow cake mix, butter, cream cheese, and a few additional ingredients. They are so gooey, chewy, and moist – it's impossible to resist them!

Servings: 24 cookies

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Chill time: 30 minutes mins

Total: 45 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 egg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup powdered sugar plus more for dusting

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, egg and vanilla with a hand mixer until fluffy.

  • Mix in cake mix until combined, and chill for 30 minutes.

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

  • Place powdered sugar in a bowl. Scoop out and roll dough into 1½-inch balls and roll in powdered sugar until well coated. Place onto a lightly greased cookie sheet.

  • Bake for 10–12 minutes.

  • Let cookies sit on the cookie sheet for a few minutes, then remove to a rack to cool.

  • Sift more powdered sugar on top, if desired.

Notes

Make Ahead: Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

Variations: Change this up by using your favorite cake mix and adding your own
embellishments. A few of our favorite combos include:
o Chocolate Rolo Cake Mix Cookies: Chocolate cake mix with a Rolo candy enclosed in each dough ball
o Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies: Red velvet cake mix with white chocolate chips
o Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies: Funfetti cake mix with extra sprinkles

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 57kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 0.3g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 17mg, Sodium: 4mg, Potassium: 4mg, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 129IU, Calcium: 2mg, Iron: 0.04mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Making this recipe? Tag us!

Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

Categorized as: American Recipes, Cookies, Cuisines, Desserts, Recipes

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

More About Kristyn

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Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is gooey butter made of? ›

Made of little else but flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and corn syrup, it's immediately satisfying and luxurious to eat. The result is chewy, rich, and creamy, almost like a vanilla pudding that's been nestled into a blondie. In St. Louis gooey butter cake is everywhere.

What is the difference between a butter cookie and a sugar cookie? ›

The butter cookie originates from Denmark. Unlike a sugar cookie that is often rolled out flat and cut with a cookie cutter, a butter cookie is softer and for the best results is piped directly onto a baking sheet then baked. The result is a crisp cookie with a more decorative 'whipped' appearance.

What does extra butter do to cookies? ›

An excessive amount of butter makes it where the flour is unable to absorb the combined fat, which causes the cookie to spread too widely and the sugar to carbonize more easily because it's surrounded by too buttery a dough.

Why are my butter cookies not crispy? ›

Adjust baking time to achieve the cookie texture desired. A little less time produces chewier cookies, a little more time makes them crispy. If you prefer softer cookies, remove them from the oven while they are still slightly under baked. Always check for doneness at the minimum baking time.

What state is known for gooey butter cake? ›

Gooey butter cake is a type of cake traditionally made in St. Louis, Missouri. It is a flat and dense cake made with wheat cake flour, butter, sugar, and eggs, typically near an inch tall, and dusted with powdered sugar.

Does gooey butter need to be refrigerated? ›

To store: Store gooey butter cake covered, at room temperature, for 3-4 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. To freeze: Allow the cake to cool to room temperature and then decide on a freezing method. I like to cut gooey butter cake into smaller bars and place them in a gallon freezer ziplock bag.

Can I skip vanilla extract in cookies? ›

Sometimes it's a flavor enhancer and sometimes it's a flavor balancer. But to be honest, unless it's a vanilla cookie, it's not a true dealbreaker. Especially if you're making cookies that have lots of other flavors going on, like coconut or dark chocolate.

Which butter is best for cookies? ›

The best butter for your baked goods depends on what type of recipe you're whipping up. Unsalted, American-style butter works well in goods like cookies, pound cakes and pancakes that require the high-fat content of conventional butter and more flexibility with salt and flavor content.

Which flour is best for baking cookies? ›

All-Purpose Flour: The Versatile Choice

This balanced protein level makes it versatile enough to produce both soft and chewy cookies as well as slightly crisp ones. If you're looking for a safe bet or are new to cookie baking, all-purpose flour is your go-to option.

Should I use baking soda or baking powder in cookies? ›

Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.

What happens if you use melted butter instead of softened for cookies? ›

In cookies, softened butter will result in a cakier and airier cookie than using melted butter. This is due to the fact that softened butter will create air bubbles that expand in the oven during baking. Melted butter will make your cookies delightfully dense on the inside and crisp on the edges.

What is the secret to chewy cookies? ›

Cornstarch helps product soft and thick cookies. Using more brown sugar than white sugar results in a moister, softer cookie. An extra egg yolk increases chewiness. Rolling the cookie dough balls to be tall and lumpy instead of wide and smooth gives the cookies a bakery-style textured thickness.

What makes a cookie chewy instead of crunchy? ›

Well, the long and short answer to chewy cookies is it's all about the moisture content. Cookies that are dense and chewy incorporate more moisture into the batter. This can be achieved by making substitutions with wet and dry ingredients, or even just changing the way you incorporate certain ingredients.

How can I make my cookies fluffier instead of flat? ›

Try using baking powder instead of baking soda. Baking soda encourages spreading while baking powder puffs the cookies up. If your recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of baking soda, you would use 3 to 4 teaspoons of baking powder. Caution: This could result in an unwanted flavor shift.

What are the white chunks in melted butter? ›

So when you melt butter you will see that the milk solids (usually a white sediment) tend to settle towards the bottom of the saucepan and the golden coloured butterfat sits on top of it. The water will tend to sink with the milk solids though some will also evaporate if the butter is brought up to boiling point.

Is whipped butter real butter? ›

Whipped butter, which can be made from any kind of butter, has had air added to it. It is lighter and lower density, which means that for the same size portion, it is lower in fat and has fewer calories. It's also more spreadable, which is why you'll see it in many a restaurant bread basket.

What is the foam in butter? ›

The top layer is a white foam or froth (the whey proteins) and should be skimmed off with a spoon. The milk solids will drop to the bottom of the saucepan and form a milky layer of sediment. What is left in the middle is a pure golden-yellow liquid called clarified butter.

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