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These gooey butter cookies are prepped in 5 minutes and have a perfectly addicting chewy texture making them one of our go-to cookies!

Gooey butter cookies stacked on top of each other on white plate.
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Cake Mix Cookies!

We love making cookies with the kids, and these gooey butter cookies are a family favorite! This cake mix cookie is pretty much half a cookie and half a cupcake, and you really can’t go wrong with that. You may also want to try our Gooey Butter Cake!

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 Frosted Lemon Cookies, or Funfetti Cookies.

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • Mix it up. Easily change the flavor by using your favorite flavor of cake!
  • Soft and chewy. They are made with cake mix, butter, and cream cheese and are so soft and moist.
  • Easy. Simply dump, mix, roll, and bake. The batter is prepped in only 5 minutes!
Ingredients for gooey butter cookies on white counter.

Ingredients

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese – softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened How to Soften Butter Quickly
  • 1 egg room-temperature incorporates best
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix or another flavor like strawberry or chocolate cake mix
  • 1 cup powdered sugar – plus more for dusting

How to Make Gooey Butter Cookies

  1. BATTER. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer (or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment) to beat 8 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup butter, 1 egg, and ½ teaspoon vanilla with a hand mixer until fluffy.
    • Add the cake mix powder and mix until combined. Chill for 30 minutes.
  2. PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  3. BAKE. Place 1 cup 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.
  4. ENJOY! Sift more powdered sugar on top, if desired.
Gooey butter cookies recipe stacked on top of each other on white plate.

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4.99 from 439 votes

Gooey Butter Cookies

By: Lil’ Luna
Made easy with a yellow cake mix, these gooey butter cookies are prepped in 5 minutes and have a perfectly addicting chewy texture!
Servings: 24 cookies
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Chill time: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes

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.

Video

Notes

Variations. Other cake mix flavors such as strawberry, chocolate, and Funfetti can be used. 
Store cookie dough. 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.
Store cookies. Place cooled cookies in an air-tight container on the counter for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

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.

Recipe FAQ

How to store the dough?

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.

How to store?

Place cooled cookies in an air-tight container on the counter for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

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!

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4.99 from 439 votes (332 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




429 Comments

  1. Melody Smith says:

    5 stars
    These were the best of all the ones we tried, well at least that’s what I thought. They were so moist and tender. Love these.

  2. Kay Jordan says:

    5 stars
    Hi
    I have made this so much in the last month especially the chocolate one and there is not one single person that has tried it that has not gone crazy over them. Thank you so much for the recipe. I wish you and yours a merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I have had at least 5 who have even asked for the recipe and has been passed along

    Kay

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Awe, thank you so much for saying that!! That makes me so happy! Merry Christmas!

  3. Beth Engelhardt says:

    Can you freeze the cookies after you make them?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I have not tried freezing these, so I can’t say for sure how they would hold up.

  4. Kristy Anne Cummins says:

    5 stars
    Thank you! Sounds delicious!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      They are!! Hope you try them!

      1. MARIA OROPALLO says:

        5 stars
        I used a sugar-free cake mix.
        I topped each cookie with a scant 1/2 teaspoon of sugar-free cranberry jelly.
        Took them to a cookie exchange.
        Outstanding!!

      2. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Perfect! Thank you for sharing what you did!

  5. Stella says:

    5 stars
    Yummy and easy to make

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!

  6. Kae says:

    5 stars
    Softest cookies and great soft flavor.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I am so glad you thought so! Thanks for letting me know!

  7. Danielle says:

    Hello! Do you use salted or unsalted butter for this recipe? Thanks in advance 🙂

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I use unsalted when I bake 🙂

    2. Diana says:

      That was my question. 🙂

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Yes, unsalted butter is what I used.

  8. Sydney says:

    5 stars
    These were the most delish cookies I’ve had ever! They are so quick and easy and super yummy! A great Christmas cookie for the family!

    1. JUDY says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! These are the best cookies I’ve had in AGES. My niece discovered this recipe and gave it to us, and since then, my kids beg me every week to make a batch of these cookies. Truly a life saver for anything from after school snacks to church potlucks. Love love love!!!!😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        That makes me so happy!! Thank you, thank you for saying that!

    2. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Awe, that’s so nice of you to say! Thank you!

  9. Terri J says:

    5 stars
    Such great and simple recipe instructions plus video! Thank you! They were delicious! Next up~ Drop sugar cookies!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      That’s so nice of you to say! Thank you so much for letting me know!

  10. Madison says:

    How long can yiu store the dough? And could these be baked from frozen?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I would probably only keep in the fridge for a few days. I haven’t tried freezing the dough, so I will have to try that!