Gluten-Free Gooey Butter Cookies with Sprinkles
Soft, cake-like butter cookies with a tender crumb and gooey center, studded with colorful sprinkles. The cream cheese and cake mix combination creates a moist texture that stays chewy when stored. Perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or casual dessert platters. This version skips elaborate decoration for easy everyday baking.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Cream together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- 2
Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing and scraping bowl sides until combined.
- 3
Add cake mix and beat until well blended.
- 4
Stir in 1/4 cup sprinkles and refrigerate covered for 1-2 hours.
- 5
Preheat oven to 350F.
- 6
Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 7
Scoop chilled dough into 1-inch balls.
- 8
Roll each ball lightly in remaining sprinkles, then in powdered sugar.
- 9
Place balls on pan about two inches apart.
- 10
Bake for 10-12 minutes until light golden.
- 11
Cool on pan for a few minutes, then transfer to cooling rack.
- 12
Sift additional powdered sugar on top if desired.
Tips
Chill dough fully for easier handling and to prevent spreading during bake.
Double-coat with sprinkles then sugar for maximum color and sweetness contrast.
Good to Know
Airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Dough keeps refrigerated for 3 days.
Prepare dough through step 4 and refrigerate up to 24 hours before scooping and baking.
Room temperature on a platter. Pairs with coffee, milk, or hot chocolate.
Common Mistakes
Skip the full chill to avoid cookies spreading too thin and losing gooey center.
Avoid overbaking to prevent cookies from becoming dry; pull at 10 minutes if edges are set.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
use GF cake mix
General Alternatives
almond or pistachio
FAQ
Can I make these without almond extract?
Yes. Omit it or replace with 1/4 teaspoon extra vanilla extract for subtler flavor.
What if my dough is too soft to scoop?
Extend chill time by 30 minutes. The cake mix absorbs moisture and firms as dough rests.
How long do these cookies keep soft?
Store in airtight container with parchment between layers. Stay gooey for 3-4 days.