We LOVE making cookies with the kids, and these gooey butter cookies are a family favorite! They are soft, sweet, and irresistibly chewy. They also have that signature buttery flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes them absolutely addictive.
Made with just a few simple ingredients, including cake mix and cream cheese, these cookies come together quickly and always turn out perfectly. They’re a family favorite for holidays, parties, or any time you need a quick dessert that everyone will love.
When you need a quick and easy cookie recipe, cake mix cookies are the way to go! You only need a handful of ingredients, and they prep in 5 minutes!
They’re so convenient, and you can easily switch up the flavors depending on the mix, like these Frosted Lemon Cookies or Funfetti Cookies.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Mix it up with a flavor change. Easily change the flavor by using your favorite flavor of cake!
- Extra soft and chewy. They are made with cake mix, butter, and cream cheese and are so soft and moist.
- Unbelievably easy. Simply dump, mix, roll, and bake. The batter uses a handful of ingredients and is prepped in only 5 minutes!
Gooey Butter Cookie Ingredients
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened): Adds richness and a creamy texture.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, softened): Gives the cookies their signature buttery flavor.
- Egg (1): Helps bind everything together. Room temp eggs work best.
- Vanilla extract (½ teaspoon): Adds warmth and flavor depth.
- Yellow cake mix (1 box, 15.25 ounces): The base that keeps the recipe simple and gives the cookies light texture. One reason we love this recipe is that you can easily use another flavor, like strawberry or chocolate cake mix.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup, plus more for dusting): Creates that classic sweet coating and crackled finish.
How to Make Gooey Butter Cookies
BATTER. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer (or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment) to beat cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla with a hand mixer until fluffy.
- Add the cake mix powder and mix until combined. Chill for 30 minutes.
PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
BAKE. Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop and roll dough into 1½-inch cookie dough balls then roll in powdered sugar until well coated. Place onto a lightly greased baking sheet.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes.
- Let cookies sit on the cookie sheet for a few minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool.
ENJOY! Sift more powdered sugar on top, if desired.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips.
- We make sure the butter and cream cheese (full-fat) are at room temperature for a smooth batter and to prevent lumps.
- To keep the cookies from spreading too thin while in the oven, we always chill the dough for the full 30 minutes.
- These cookies are meant to be soft and slightly underbaked. They will still look soft in the center but will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.
- Roll generously in powdered sugar for that pretty crackled top.
- Add extra powdered sugar after baking for a bakery-style look.
Gooey Butter Cookie Recipe
Video
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°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
- Easily change the flavor by using a different cake mix, like strawberry or chocolate cake mix.
- The butter and cream cheese should be at room temperature for a smooth batter and to prevent lumps.
- The 30-minute chill is important for preventing the cookies from spreading too thin.
- These cookies are meant to be soft and slightly underbaked. They will still look soft in the center but will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Place the dough in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or see How to Freeze Cookie Dough.
Place cooled cookies in an air-tight container on the counter for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
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This recipe was originally published July 2010.
my cookies are way to flat..what did I do wrong
I wish I knew for sure. There are many factors that can make cookies flat, such as: not refrigerating the dough, using margarine instead of butter, over-beating the dough, etc. Did you happen to do any of these? Did you press them down at all?
i found this recipe before Christmas. I made these for my Christmas cookie trays. Everyone loved them. They are delicious and addicting. These are super easy to make and are my new favorite cookies. Thanks for the recipe.
You are so welcome! They are one of my favorites! Thank you for trying them 🙂
These are amazing!! I used the butter flavor cake mix. The first time, i only chilled the dough for an hour, and it was really stickY still and very difficult to Work with, but the cookies came out delicious anyway. The second time, I maDe a doIble batch and let the dough chill for 2 1/2 hours or so. The dough was much easier to work with. And once again, delicious!! Even my hUsband, who doesn’t care for things with cream cheese in it, loved them.
Aren’t they the best?! Glad he liked them, too! Thank you for sharing that!
this looks really mouthwatering but I have a question. The recipe calls for 1 stick of butter but the video shows two sticks of butter … Which is correct? Thanks!
It is one 🙂 They really are mouthwatering!
Loved these little gems. Easy to make. Will try adding extra ingredients next time!
Glad you tried them!! The possibilities are endless with these 🙂
They are really good !!
Glad you like them!! Thank you so much!
Made these and my family loves them. They are light and fluffy yet decadent. I’ll definitely make them again.
They are one of our favorites!! Glad your family liked them! Thank you!
Just took these out and they are amazing. I live in a gluten free household and this recipe works well with a gluten free mix. i added mini chocolate chips and it is perfect. Thank you for sharing. I am looking foward to adapting and making all kinds of flavors of cookies with this recipe. my husband, and grandkids are excited to have good cookies in the house.
Yes, there are so many ways to change these up! Glad you liked them!
Do y have to use pOwder sugar
I haven’t tried making them without. I know it will change it a little. But, you definitely don’t have to.
These cookies are absolutely delicious. They would also be good with some lemon, gooey lemon butter Cookies.
Thank you,
Mrs Ruggieri
Oh, yes!! Thank you for sharing that!