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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. Sue says:

    Is the recipe 1x 8oz cream cheese or 18oz cream cheese?? And in Australia we don’t have Duncan Hines cake mixes, would any cake mix work? Thank you

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      It’s ONE 8 oz. bar of cream cheese. And any cake mix works. 😉

      1. Sue says:

        Thank you so much. Going to try this weekend. School holidays finished. Some cookies ready for lunches. Yum

  2. chris w says:

    5 stars
    Do you think I could freeze these? I would like to make some funor my daughters wedding reception, just won’t have the time the day or two before to bake. If so, how long do you think tgey would hold up in the freezer?

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      To be honest, I’m not sure. I haven’t tried freezing them before. :/ I would make a batch though and test it out. I’d make some cookies 1 day and then put them in the freezer and then take them out at least a few hours a head of time 2 days after you put them in and again 3 days after just to see how they taste. 😉

  3. Ola says:

    What for do you need the Yellow Cake Box Mix? What’s inside? maybe I can buy something similar in my country.

  4. carmen says:

    The whole box of yellow cake mix?

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Yup! 😀

  5. Newbie Baker says:

    Are these cookies only made with cake mix?
    What flour etc to use instead of cake mix?

  6. Sandi Marson says:

    A couple of questions, how many cookies per recipe and also, is the butter softened or melted!? Thanks so much, these look delicious, especially the pink for a spring bridal shower!

  7. Aditi says:

    I want to try this recipe but i would like to know if there is any replacement for egg.i mean what change do i make in the recipe if i dont want to make it with egg.

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      I’ve never made it without eggs but I think you can sometimes substitute 1/4 vegetable oil for an egg. 😉

  8. ruth says:

    how big are the balls supposed to be? I have a batch baking right now… but not sure if it will turn out right because of the size of the ball.. maybe need to cook them longer than the time mentioned in the instruction… crossing fingers… :/

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Just seeing this. How did the cookies turn out. Mine are usually about 1 1/2 inch diameter.

      1. Ruth says:

        5 stars
        They turned out great! Each cookie were about 3″ in diameter after baking. As for the baking time, it ended up to be 16 min. We’ve also tried the chocolate version with the rolo inside. My daughter and my mom preferred that, but I personally like this better :). Thanks!

      2. Lil' Luna says:

        So glad you guys liked them. I’m still a bit torn… I like the rolo ones AND the regular ones too. Both delish! 😉

  9. Juanita says:

    5 stars
    These are my favorite at Christmas! Always a crowd pleaser… i add white chocolate chips.. the best!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Oooh – can’t go wrong adding white chocolate chips!!