Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

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Certainly! Here’s a full, rich, and detailed recipe for Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies, complete with a warm introduction, historical background, lovers of the recipe, methods, and more—everything to make your baking journey sweet and memorable.

Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

Soft, Festive, and Delicious

Introduction

There’s something magical about a cookie that melts in your mouth, leaving behind sweet memories of butter, vanilla, and soft pillowy joy. These Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies are inspired by the famous St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake, a beloved Midwestern dessert. They’ve made their way into holiday cookie tins, cozy family gatherings, and bake sales across the nation. This cookie is a dessert lover’s dream—soft, slightly chewy, and dusted with a gentle snowfall of powdered sugar. Perfect for Christmas, or frankly, any day that needs a little extra love.

History & Formation

The roots of this cookie trace back to the 1930s in St. Louis, Missouri, where a happy baking accident led to the creation of Gooey Butter Cake. Instead of a typical cake, the result was a rich, buttery, custard-like slab—now cherished as a regional specialty. Over time, the same luscious flavors were folded into cookie form. These butter cookies are a tribute to that tradition, made modern, portable, and shareable.

Ingredients

For the Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies:

  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
  • ½ tsp baking powder (optional for puffiness)
  • Pinch of salt
  • ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions & Methods

Step 1: Prep

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

  • In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth.
  • Add in the granulated sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
  • Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

  • Slowly beat in the cake mix, baking powder, and salt. The dough will be thick and sticky—don’t worry, that’s perfect!
  • Chill the dough for 30–60 minutes to make it easier to handle.

Step 4: Roll and Coat

  • Once chilled, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough.
  • Roll into balls, then toss each in powdered sugar until fully coated.

Step 5: Bake

  • Place on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underbaked.
  • Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Lovers of the Cookie

This cookie has found fans across every generation. Grandparents gift them in tins. Children sneak them off the cooling rack. Partners share them over mugs of hot cocoa. Bakers gift them with handwritten recipe cards. Even Santa’s been known to grab a few extra.

Pair with:

  • A mug of hot chocolate or eggnog
  • A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
  • A romantic movie and cozy blankets

Conclusion

These Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies aren’t just baked goods—they’re sweet, creamy bites of nostalgia, perfect for sharing love, creating memories, and adding joy to your table. Whether you bake them for Christmas, a birthday, or a lazy Sunday, they’ll always leave your heart and home a little warmer.

Want more cozy bakes like this? Just say the word—I’m always ready with your next favorite recipe!

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