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.
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
It’s ONE 8 oz. bar of cream cheese. And any cake mix works. 😉
Thank you so much. Going to try this weekend. School holidays finished. Some cookies ready for lunches. Yum
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?
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. 😉
What for do you need the Yellow Cake Box Mix? What’s inside? maybe I can buy something similar in my country.
Here is a recipe for Homemade Yellow Cake Mix – hopefully it helps. 😉 http://iambaker.net/homemade-yellow-cake-mix/
The whole box of yellow cake mix?
Yup! 😀
Are these cookies only made with cake mix?
What flour etc to use instead of cake mix?
I’ve only made them with cake mix. Here is a recipe for a homemade yellow cake mix though – http://iambaker.net/homemade-yellow-cake-mix/ 😀
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!
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.
I’ve never made it without eggs but I think you can sometimes substitute 1/4 vegetable oil for an egg. 😉
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… :/
Just seeing this. How did the cookies turn out. Mine are usually about 1 1/2 inch diameter.
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!
So glad you guys liked them. I’m still a bit torn… I like the rolo ones AND the regular ones too. Both delish! 😉
These are my favorite at Christmas! Always a crowd pleaser… i add white chocolate chips.. the best!
Oooh – can’t go wrong adding white chocolate chips!!