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Have you ever bitten into a cookie so soft and gooey that it feels like a warm hug? Well, get ready to experience just that with these Spiced Gooey Butter Cookies!
Gooey Butter Cookies are like little pillows of joy that melt in your mouth. Perfect for the holiday season or any time you’re craving something sweet and comforting.
Any time I make these my kitchen smells like a cozy bakery, filled with the warm aroma of spices. It’s hard to wait till they’re cooled!
They’re super easy to make using a boxed cake mix. Yes, you heard that right—a boxed cake mix! That means less time measuring and more time enjoying delicious cookies.
These cookies are a twist on the classic gooey butter cake cookies, if it’s your first time trying them, you’re in for a serious treat.
Instead of a cake, though, we’re making soft cookies that are sure to become one of your favorite recipes. And with just a handful of ingredients!
Whether you’re baking for a holiday cookie tray, a cookie exchange, or just because it’s Tuesday, these cookies are a hit every time.
So, let’s dive into why this great recipe works so well and how you can make these delicious Gooey Butter Cookies at home.
Some of our other favorite COOKIE RECIPES we have on our site include: Soft White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, Best Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe, and Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe.
Jump to:
- WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- HOW TO MAKE GOOEY BUTTER COOKIES:
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- CAN I USE A DIFFERENT CAKE MIX?
- CAN I ADD A GLAZE?
- ANY ADDITIONS?
- ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
- HOW TO STORE:
- DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Spiced Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Simple Ingredients: Uses a boxed spice cake mix and a few other basics you probably already have.
- Soft and Gooey Texture: Cream cheese and butter make the cookies super soft and gooey.
- Quick and Easy: From mixing to baking, you’ll have cookies ready in under 30 minutes.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Cream cheese
- Unsalted butter
- Large egg
- Vanilla extract
- Spice cake mix
- Powdered sugar
HOW TO MAKE GOOEY BUTTER COOKIES:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line sheet trays with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add the cake mix.
- Mix cake mix in until combined with no dry patches.
- Place the powdered sugar in a bowl.
- Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop, roll the cookie dough into balls with your hands and roll it in the powdered sugar.
- Place the cookies, 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-11 minutes until the bottoms are slightly brown.
- Let cool for 5 minutes on the sheet tray. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
CAN I USE A DIFFERENT CAKE MIX?
Absolutely! If you don’t have a spice cake mix, you can use a yellow cake mix or even a red velvet cake mix.
Using a lemon cake mix will give you lemon-flavored cookies.
Strawberry cake mix cookies are also a fun way to try new flavors.
Keep in mind that the flavor will change depending on the cake mix you choose, so feel free to experiment and find your favorite.
CAN I ADD A GLAZE?
Yes, you can add a glaze for extra sweetness.
Simply mix powdered sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar) with a little milk or lemon juice until it’s pourable.
Drizzle it over the cooled cookies.
You can also sprinkle colorful sprinkles on top for a festive touch.
It’s one of the fun ways to customize these simple cookies, especially during the holiday season.
ANY ADDITIONS?
With such an easy cookie recipe, it’s not hard at all to add what you like.
Feel free to do a lot of tweaking!
- Chocolate Chips: Mix into the dough for a chocolatey twist.
- Chopped Nuts: Add walnuts or pecans for some crunch.
- Dried Fruit: Like raisins or cranberries for extra flavor.
- Sprinkles: Roll the dough balls in sprinkles instead of powdered sugar.
- Cinnamon Sugar: Roll cookies in cinnamon sugar for added spice.
- Almond Extract: Use instead of vanilla extract for a different flavor.
- Caramel Bits: Mix in for gooey caramel pockets.
- White Chocolate Chips: For a sweet contrast.
- Pumpkin Spice: Add a teaspoon for more fall flavor.
- Coconut Flakes: Mix in for a tropical touch.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
That rich butter flavor is something I can’t get enough of.
Let me know how you like these in the comments!
- Cream Cheese: Use dairy-free cream cheese for lactose intolerance.
- Unsalted Butter: Substitute with salted butter and omit added salt.
- Egg: Replace with a flax egg for an egg-free version.
- Spice Cake Mix: Use any boxed cake mix you like—white cake mix, lemon cake mix, or even chocolate.
- Vanilla Extract: Swap with almond extract or lemon extract.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar—they’re the same!
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, they will last for up to 4 days at room temperature.
They can stay fresh in the fridge for up to one week.
Separate layers with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent sticking.
Freezer: You can freeze these cookies!
Place baked cookies in a freezer bag or airtight container, separating layers with wax paper.
They can be frozen for up to three months.
Thaw at room temperature before enjoying. This is perfect for making ahead during the busy holiday season.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps everything mix smoothly. Softened cream cheese and butter are easier to cream together.
- Don’t Overbake: Bake for 10-12 minutes for soft cookies. They might look slightly underdone, but they’ll set as they cool on the wire rack.
- Chill the Dough: If the dough is too sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This makes it easier to roll into balls.
- Roll in Powdered Sugar: Gives the cookies a sweet, crackly exterior. You can also roll them in colorful sprinkles for a festive look.
- Line Baking Sheets: Use parchment paper or a lined baking sheet for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Cool Completely: Let cookies cool on a cooling rack for best results. This helps them set and keeps them from becoming too soft.
Gooey Butter Cookies are a delightful treat that’s easy to make and even easier to eat!
They’re soft, gooey, and full of warm spice flavors.
Perfect for sharing with friends and family—or keeping all to yourself (I won’t tell!).
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
Spiced Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 15.25 ounce box spice cake mix
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line sheet trays with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese, butter, egg, and vanilla until smooth.8 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 large egg, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the cake mix.15.25 ounce box spice cake mix
- Mix cake mix in until combined with no dry patches.
- Place the powdered sugar in a bowl.1/2 cup powdered sugar
- Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop, roll the cookie dough into balls with your hands and roll it in the powdered sugar.
- Place the cookies, 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-11 minutes until the bottoms are slightly brown.
- Let cool for 5 minutes on the sheet tray. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps everything mix smoothly. Softened cream cheese and butter are easier to cream together.
- Don’t Overbake: Bake for 10-12 minutes for soft cookies. They might look slightly underdone, but they’ll set as they cool on the wire rack.
- Chill the Dough: If the dough is too sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This makes it easier to roll into balls.
- Roll in Powdered Sugar: Gives the cookies a sweet, crackly exterior. You can also roll them in colorful sprinkles for a festive look.
- Line Baking Sheets: Use parchment paper or a lined baking sheet for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Cool Completely: Let cookies cool on a cooling rack for best results. This helps them set and keeps them from becoming too soft.
Nutrition
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