Gooey Butter Cookies for Easter

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Here’s a complete, expanded recipe for Gooey Butter Cookies with Pastel Sprinkles—perfect for Easter!

Gooey Butter Cookies for Easter

A Sweet, Chewy, and Buttery Delight

These Gooey Butter Cookies are a soft, melt-in-your-mouth treat inspired by the famous St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake. Originally created by accident in the 1930s, gooey butter desserts became a staple in Midwestern baking. The cookie version captures the rich, buttery, and slightly tangy flavor of the cake while being incredibly easy to make.

For Easter, we’re adding pastel sprinkles to give them a festive, springtime feel. Whether you’re making them for a holiday gathering, as gifts, or just because, these cookies will be loved by everyone—from kids to grandparents.

Ingredients

(Yields about 24 cookies)

  • 8 oz (1 package) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
  • ½ cup pastel sprinkles (or more as desired)
  • ½ cup powdered sugar, for rolling

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
  2. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix until fully combined.
  3. Slowly add the cake mix, stirring until a thick dough forms.
  4. Gently fold in the pastel sprinkles, making sure they’re evenly distributed.

2. Chill the Dough

  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This makes the dough easier to handle and enhances the flavors.

3. Shape the Cookies

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball.
  3. Roll each ball in powdered sugar to give the cookies their classic crinkled look.
  4. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.

4. Bake & Cool

  1. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
  2. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Why Are They Called Gooey Butter Cookies?

These cookies get their “gooey” name from their soft, almost fudgy center. Unlike traditional sugar cookies, they don’t become crispy. Instead, the cream cheese and butter give them a rich, decadent texture that melts in your mouth.

Serving & Storage Tips

  • Serving: Enjoy them warm with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
  • Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze unbaked dough balls (without powdered sugar) for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, roll in powdered sugar and bake as directed.

For Lovers of Gooey Treats

If you love chewy, soft, buttery cookies, this recipe is for you! Perfect for those who enjoy:

  • Cheesecake lovers (because of the cream cheese)
  • Cake mix desserts (for ease and flavor)
  • Soft-baked cookies (that don’t dry out)

Conclusion

These Gooey Butter Cookies with Pastel Sprinkles are a festive, fun, and delicious treat for Easter and beyond. Their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture, combined with buttery sweetness, makes them irresistible. Try them this holiday season and watch them disappear from the dessert table!

Would you like a variation, like a chocolate version or a lemon-flavored one?

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