💛 The Story Behind the Cookie
The first time I bit into an Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies was at a small-town bake sale in St. Louis. My cousin handed it to me with a grin like she knew it was about to blow my mind — and it did.
Soft like cheesecake, rich like buttercream, and so gooey it almost melts on your tongue. I’ve been hooked ever since.
Now, they’re the #1 cookie I make for birthdays, holidays, and “just because” cravings. One bowl, one cake mix, and a little powdered sugar — it’s pure buttery bliss. 💫
✨ Why You’ll Love These Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies
- 🧁 Ultra-soft & rich — like cheesecake in cookie form
- 🍰 Uses yellow cake mix — fast, easy, and consistent every time
- ❄️ Freezer-friendly — perfect for prepping ahead
- 🧒 Kid-approved & beginner-friendly — no fancy steps
- 🎉 Crowd-pleasers — ideal for potlucks, parties & cookie trays
🧰 Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Hand or stand mixer
- Cookie scoop or spoon
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone mats
- Wire rack for cooling
📝 Ingredients
- 1 (15.25 oz) box yellow cake mix
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
👩🍳 How to Make Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies
🧈 Step 1: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Add the egg and vanilla, then mix until combined.
Slowly mix in the yellow cake mix until a thick, sticky dough forms.
❄️ Step 2: Chill
Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes.
This step makes the dough easier to scoop and prevents cookies from spreading too much.
🔥 Step 3: Roll & Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Scoop 1-tbsp balls of dough and roll generously in powdered sugar.
Place cookies about 2 inches apart on your baking sheet.
Bake for 11–13 minutes, until edges are set but centers are still soft and gooey.
❄️ Step 4: Cool
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3–5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
They’ll be very soft straight from the oven, but they set beautifully as they cool.
🌡️ Storage & Freezing Tips
- Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days
- Freezer: Freeze unbaked dough balls (without sugar coating) for up to 3 months.
Roll in powdered sugar just before baking.
You can also freeze fully baked cookies — just thaw at room temp.
👩🍳 Pro Tips for Perfect Butter Cookies
✅ Chill the dough — it keeps them from spreading too much
✅ Don’t overbake — the centers should look soft and puffy
✅ Roll in plenty of powdered sugar for the classic crinkle effect
✅ Use different cake mixes like lemon, chocolate, or red velvet for fun flavor twists
✅ Add ½ tsp of almond extract for a more bakery-style cookie
📸 Save This Recipe!
Pin or bookmark these gooey wonders so you’ll always have a crowd-favorite recipe on hand — for holidays, birthdays, bake sales, or midnight cravings. 💛🍪
📌 More Recipes You’ll Love
- 🍫 Chocolate Whoopie Pies: Fudgy Cookies with Fluffy Vanilla Filling
- 🍫 Ultimate Brownie Cookie Recipe: Fudgy, Crinkly & Irresistible!
- Warning: This Nutella Cookie Pie Might Go Viral 📸🍪
- Homemade Crumbl S’mores Cookies
Get Recipes on Pinterest
🍋 Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies – The Softest Cookie You’ll Ever Taste
Description
These Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are soft, rich, and dusted in powdered sugar. Made with cream cheese and cake mix, they’re perfect for holidays, birthdays, or a sweet craving fix.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
-
Mix in egg and vanilla.
-
Stir in cake mix until a thick dough forms.
-
Chill dough for 30–60 minutes.
-
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.
-
Scoop dough into 1 tbsp balls, roll in powdered sugar.
-
Bake for 11–13 minutes. Let cool before transferring to rack.