Easy Cake-Mix Gooey Butter Cookies Are Deliciously Light

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These simple gooey butter cookies are a quick and easy cake-mix hack you can vary endlessly. The recipe calls for just 6 ingredients: yellow cake mix, butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, an egg and powdered sugar.

When I first made these cookies I expected them to be chewy but they aren't gooey at all, as the name suggests (if you've ever made gooey cake you know what I'm talking about). Still, I love the fluffy, pillowy texture and reduced sweetness that's balanced by the powdered sugar coating. Not to mention they look lovely on a plate.

I recommend using a butter cake mix to bring out the buttery taste (I used Duncan Hines Butter Golden this last time) but any standard box should work. You can also make the recipe with other flavors: try chocolate, lemon or red velvet cake mix. Or add a teaspoon of extract to enhance the flavor.

Gooey Butter Cookies

Ingredients

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup (8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened

1 large egg

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 (15.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the powdered sugar into a shallow bowl.
2. Using a hand-held or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Add the cake mix and mix until well blended.
3. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and coat with powdered sugar. Place one inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake 10 to 13 minutes until set. Let the cookies cool a few minutes then transfer them to a wire rack. Store in an air-tight container.

Notes

I use a full teaspoon of vanilla to up the flavor. You can also try almond, lemon or any other type of extract.

If you make this recipe with a darker cake mix the contrast with the powdered sugar coating looks great.

For me, these cookies take the minimum time in the oven. Take them out when they are still light on top and not quite firm. They will finish setting on the cookie sheets.