Gooey butter cookies meet red velvet in these easy cookies made with cake mix. You won’t be able to stop eating these soft Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cookies!
Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cookies
Back in 2012, I published my very first Red Velvet Week, where I posted red velvet recipes all week long. Then it happened again in 2013, and by that point I was obsessed and it became a yearly thing for me. That eventually led to me writing a cookbook all about red velvet. So to say I love my red velvet is an understatement.
One of my favorite things about red velvet is how it is perfect for holidays year round. Red for Valentine’s Day, Part of the red white and blue for the 4th of July, blood red for Halloween, and of course, anything red is perfect for Christmas.
These Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cookies are not only perfect for celebrating year round, but they are so easy, too. They are cookies made with cake mix, so the ingredient list is very short and they really don’t take a lot of hands on time. So throw these on the cookie plate, share them with the neighbors, and wait for everyone to ask you for the recipe!
Tips for Making Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cookies
- These cookies are super easy, but they do take a little bit of time because the dough must be completely chilled or it will be too hard to roll into balls. The dough will be quite sticky, so you need that time to let the dough chill completely.
- Even with the 2 hour chill, the dough will be sticky. I definitely find that it is easiest to use a cookie scoop. Your hands will still get sticky, but it definitely helps!
- These cookies should not be hard at all, so sometimes it’s a little hard to tell when the cookies are done. The cookie will be set up on the edges, but the middle should still look super soft. Once you remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit for several minutes, the cookies will continue to set up. DO NOT overbake these cookies. If you do, they will be more cake-like than soft and gooey. Still delicious, but not the same.
- Store the cookies in an air tight container.
More Red Velvet Recipes
Oreo Cream Cheese Stuffed Red Velvet Brownies
Red Velvet Quick Bread with Cream Cheese Filling
Red Velvet Sheet Cake Recipe with Cookies and Cream Frosting
Red Velvet Cheese Ball
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Tools Used to Make these Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cookies
- While it would be possible to make these completely by hand, it would be difficult. I suggest using a stand mixer or a hand mixer to make the job much easier.
- Because the dough is so sticky, I recommend using a cookie scoop to make the job just a little bit easier.
- You can spray your baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray, but I always recommend using parchment paper or a silpat liner instead.
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Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
Gooey butter cookies meet red velvet in these easy cookies made with cake mix. You won’t be able to stop eating these soft Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cookies!
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 box (15.25 oz) red velvet cake mix
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and the butter together. Beat in the egg, then the vanilla. Beat in the cake mix until completely combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Roll the chilled dough into tablespoon sized balls. Roll in the powdered sugar, then place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat liner, at least 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or just until set on the edges.
- Remove to a wire rack to cool.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 155
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 154 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 29 mg
Keywords: gooey butter cookies
Leigh says
I have enjoyed looking at your site so much!! I wonder if it would be possible to make these in classic bar form?
Deborah says
I haven’t tried it before, but I would guess that it would work. If you try, please let me know how it turns out!
Beth says
I have been making these cookies for the last 3 years at Christmas and have given them to friends and family on cookie trays. Every year people ask me (especially my kids) “you are making the red velvet cookies, right”?. Definitely the best cookie on the tray!
Lydia Shields says
This recipe is so stinking easy and is by far the best cake cookie ever. It’s always a hit. I sift a little more powdered sugar over the cooled cookies.
★★★★★
Debbie P says
These cookies came out Awesome! I skipped the powdered sugar and frosted them with cream cheese frosting and sprinkled a little red sugar on top.
★★★★★
Valerie says
Hello! Loved this recipe. Will be using this for a cookie exchange and wondering if I added white chocolate chips at what stage would be good for that? Should I add chips right away when making the batter? Or should I sorta roll them in like the powdered sugar? Or even adding them to the tops of the cookies out of the oven? I’m not an experienced baker so that’s why I’m asking so many questions… and also why I love this fool proof recipe!
★★★★★
Deborah says
I have never tried that, but it sounds delicious! I would probably just add them to the batter.
Niki says
Is it okay if you refrigerate the dough overnight? I didn’t have time to get to baking them.. tried to tacjle too many other desserts while these were in the fridge =/
Deborah says
Sorry for the delay – I’ve never tried refrigerating overnight, but I’m guessing it would work. If you tried it, please let me know how it worked out!
mona says
can we make our own cake mix because here its not available if yes please recipe
Deborah says
Hi Mona, I haven’t tried these with a homemade cake mix, so I’m not sure how they would work out. Sorry!
Lulu says
I made a batch and they turned out well! Thanks for sharing! <3
Kelly says
I made a double batch and gave them as part of Christmas gift bags. They were very good! I think I overdid them by a minute or 2 causing them to be cakey. (Still delicious though) I can’t wait to try them again. Only issue I had was a little trouble mixing the batter, it was very thick… I ended up using just over a box and a half of cake mix in a double batch.
Deborah says
I’m so glad you liked them! Yes, they do get cakey if they are cooked too long, but you are right – still delicious!
Judith says
Just finished a batch of these. I used a PC red velvet cake mix and the cookies turned out great! Only con would be having to roll each little sticky ball of dough in icing sugar. They look gorgeous when they are done, though, and taste great!
Emily says
Just made these for a work party tomorrow, do I need to refrigerate them over night? They are AMAZING! Can’t wait for everyone to try them.
Deborah says
I have never refrigerated them, but you definitely could. I would just make sure they come to room temperature before serving.
mary says
Do think these would freeze well?
Deborah says
I haven’t tried freezing them, but I’m guessing they would freeze well.
Charla says
I’ve been making cake mix cookies since I received the recipe card from Tupperware over 20 years ago. Easiest, most versatile way to bake cookies.
Danielle says
LOVE these…thank you SO much! Just finished making a batch and the entire family loves them!
Lindsay says
Could I freeze these cookies and how many weeks could I freeze them for?
Deborah says
@Lindsay, I haven’t tried freezing them, so I’m not sure how they would hold up.
Sabeen says
Thanks a lot for the prompt reply…. Love ur recipes….
AJ says
Does the recipe call for unsalted or salted butter? Or does it really matter? Trying to make these for a few friends for Valentine’s (and I’d like them to be perfect lol). Thanks.
Deborah says
@AJ, I always use unsalted butter, but I’m sure salted would work as well.
AJ says
HA@Deborah, Thank youfor responding so fast! I’m making them tomorrow. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Sabeen says
Thanks a lot though for this lovely recipe!!!!!!
Sabeen says
Hi, love this recipe, will be trying them out, hope to achieve the same look as the pic above. How do we store these cookies, in an airtight container over the shelf, or in the refrigerator, because the cookies contain cream cheese.
Deborah says
@Sabeen, I don’t remember how I stored them, but I’m thinking it was just in an airtight container. I know they didn’t last long, though!! If you want to be safe, you could definitely store them in the fridge and let them come to room temperature when you are ready to eat them.
Joyce A. says
I thought they were good. Hubby said not sweet enough though. I may next time try adding a tsp or 2 of sugar while creaming the cream cheese and butter. Love the recipe though, nice and easy. You just have to prepare early because of the refrigerator time
Amy says
Hi! Do you know if these would work with GF red velvet cake mix? Thanks!
Heather Ilene says
Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. I’m baking my second batch and they are taste heavenly!
Alyssa says
Ok…. Loved these… But did anyone have a problem with them staining teeth red? Maybe it was just my cake mix (I used duff’s red velvet cake mix … As in duff from food network) and felt so bad all my guests looked like vampires! This little set back didn’t stop us from devouring an entire batch! 🙂
Deborah says
@Alyssa, oh my goodness – I haven’t heard of that happening!! 🙂 I’m guessing it was the cake mix, because I didn’t have that problem.
evalis says
Just made these and they’re great! Look just like your picture and taste fantastic. My powdered sugar melted in the oven so the cookies didn’t have that powdered sugar layer on top but the cookies were still good. Next time I’ll cover them in more powdered sugar instead of a light dusting.
Sue says
Can white chocolate chips be put in these??
Deborah says
@Sue, I haven’t tried, but I’m guessing it would work!
Rosemary says
Made these tonight and they were awesome. Even though I messed up and only put 1/2 stick butter in them. The dough was really sticky , so I coated my hands with butter, it did not affect the taste.
They are very pretty also with the sugar cracked on the top.
Mike says
All due respect, but Paula Deen did not come up with the gooey butter cookie. My grandma’s been making them for Christmas since long before anyone ever heard of Paula.
That being said, this recipe looks outstanding.
PureX says
Why is it that the red looks so appetizing!
Cassy says
Do these freeze well?
Deborah says
@Cassy, I have never tried freezing them, so I’m not sure. Sorry!
J says
hey there, so i’ve made these twice now, and when i roll the dough in powered sugar, it always just bakes “in” and disappears. so i’ve been just dusting them when they come out of the oven with the sugar. they come out just as pretty!
Jenna says
Hi, my husband is deployed and loves red velvet cake. Do you think these will survive in the mail for 2 weeks if sealed tight?
Deborah says
@Jenna, I can’t say for sure, since I know we ate all of ours well before 2 weeks were over!! I’m guessing that they’d hold up as well as most cookies, though.
Jenny S. says
Thanks for this recipe! I followed it perfectly, but mine, too, came out more cake-y/dense than gooey. I’m wondering if cake mix brand matters (I used Duncan Hines). Also, I wondered if a 2nd egg would have helped moisten them up a little and bring in more gooey-ness. Paula Deen’s gooey butter filling has two eggs. Hmmm…Any thoughts?
Deborah says
@Jenny S., I wonder why they were cakey for you!?! I almost wonder if it has something to do with oven temperature/time baked. But a second egg might help as well.
rachel says
@Jenny S., Funny, I just made these too. They were yum, but definitely on the cakey side. Perhaps I should have baked it a bit longer?!? Will give them a try again.
Nadia says
@rachel, Ok so I’ve tried to bake it using different time for different batches and it turned out that when I bake it for 12 minutes, the cookies turned out to be cakey. I tried to bake it for 9-10 minutes, at first it definitely looked like it’s not done yet, so I let them cooled all the way and there you go, I got the gooey texture. It was even more perfect when I ate it the next day. Hope this helps.
Deborah says
@Nadia, Thank you! I was guessing that the cakey texture was coming from cooking too long – I’m glad you did the experiment for me!
Jenn says
@Nadia, incoprorate more and and bake at a 15 degrees lower baking temp.
rachel says
These look delicious. Do all supermarkets have the red velvet cake mix? I don’t know if I’ve ever seen it.
Deborah says
@rachel, you should be able to find red velvet cake mix at any supermarket – just with the other cake mixes. I’ve never had a hard time finding it (except around Valentine’s day when they sell out quickly!)
rachel says
@Deborah, Thanks for replying so quickly. I just got back from Target and SCORE! I found them. I’m trying them tonight! I’ll let you know how they come out. Kind of excited. ;o)
Nadia says
Is it okay if we leave the batter in the fridge overnight? Also, you said to roll the batter balls on powdered sugar before baking – will the powdered sugar melt when it’s baking? Thanks!
Deborah says
@Nadia, I haven’t tried them with refrigerating the batter, so I’m not sure if they would work or not. And some of the powdered sugar will soak into the cookies, but as you can see from my pictures, most of it remains on the outside of the cookies.
Nadia says
@Deborah, I’ve finally made these cookies and let me tell you, they are AMAZING! I noticed that if you baked it too long, it will give you more of a cake texture, but if you don’t over-bake, it will have the perfect gooey texture. So I guess it depends on your oven as well. I baked mine for 10 minutes and they were perfect. 🙂
murray says
mine turned out basically like cake (but in cookie size).. hmm, not sure what i did wrong…
Deborah says
@murray, I’m not sure, either. They should be soft, and almost gooey. Wish I could help you!
Danielle Goewert says
I make these but drizzle melted white chocolate on them. Adds so much. Try the chocolate ones too:)
Jenn says
Just wondering how many cookies this makes? I am going to make them for my daughter’s class for Valentine’s day and want to be sure I have enough. They look delicious!
Deborah says
@Jenn, the recipe makes 2 dozen cookies. Hope they enjoy them!
Katie says
YUM! These look and sounds amazing. I’m totally picking up a box of cake mix today!
Cait says
Glad I came across your blog! These turned out awesome! Made a double batch for my Moms Group – can’t wait to bring them tomorrow!
Deborah says
@Cait, I’m so glad that you liked them!
whit says
this may seem like a silly question, but would a red velvet cupcake mix work as well?
Deborah says
@whit, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a red velvet cupcake mix before. I’m guessing they are close to the same ingredients, but I’m not positive. If you try it, let me know!
whit says
@Deborah, i just tried it with my red velvet cupcake mix and they are delicious. they seem to be a little more cakey than yours appear to be, but still super soft and yummy.
Chels R. says
My brother has an obsession with red velvet! These look really good!
vanillasugarblog says
oh deb you totally had me at ‘gooey’
Anna S says
I saw this post yesterday morning, put the ingredients on my list, and baked them yesterday afternoon. I was hoping they would be comparable to my boys’ favorite cookie at Paradise Bakery & Cafe. I had tried to replicate them with a different cake mix recipe last month and those didn’t turn out very good. These turned out fantastic. They aren’t the same as the ones at Paradise, but my boys think these are way better. They are in love with these cookies!!!
Dina says
who wouldn’t love these?
Sarah says
I’m going to add some white chocolate chips in when I make these.
charlotte says
@Sarah, I did the same thing!!!
Sally @ Spontaneous Hausfra says
These cookies are what dreams are made of – at least my dreams!!
Erika - The Teenage Taste says
Oh my gosh, those cookies are my life! I made them for Christmas and Valentine’s Day last year and it’s a good thing because I am totally addicted to them. I have a feeling I could eat an entire batch if I really wanted to. 😉
Heather says
Do you know what size box cake mix you used? Most cake mixes have been decreased from 18 (or so)oz to 15 (or so)oz. I don’t want the cookies to be too soft and goey as I’m giving these to other people and they need to stay awesome. Thanks!
Deborah says
I don’t remember what size I originally made these with, but I’m guessing it was the old size. I guess I need to re-test this! 🙂 I have seen these cookies done recently, though, just calling for a cake mix, so I’m guessing they will work with the new size as well.
Living The Sweet Life says
WOW!! Your red velvet cookies, look melt in your mouth delicious 🙂 I love them!! I’m so excited to see what else you come up with for red velvet week
Joanne says
Have I ever mentioned that red velvet week is my favorite week of the year? Cause it is. Love these! Anything with gooey AND red velvet in the title has to be amazing.
Cassie says
You had me at “gooey butter”. I love this and was just looking for a red velvet cookie recipe yesterday. This sounds perfect. Love the idea of a red velvet roundup!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
Yummy!! I am so excited for Red Velvet Week. This looks like one amazing start!
natalie (the sweets life) says
mmm can’t wait to see what red velvet goodies you’ll be sharing. you definitely started on the right foot!
Kim says
These looks SO pretty! Super soft and chewy cookies are my favorite.
Annalise says
Yum! These look fantastic!
Jennifer | Mother Thyme says
Red Velvet is my favorite! These look divine! I am all about soft cookies so these are right up my alley!
jennifurla says
OMG woman, these a magnificent.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
These look so good! And thanks for the shoutout on my strawberry cookies, too.
I am loving cake mix cookies….so easy and so soft and moist!
leslie says
Ohhh I just love the idea of these! So pretty and I can only marine how tasty they are!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos says
Super excited for this week! These are a great way to start out!
Maria says
I made a similar cookie-posting next week:) Love Red Velvet!
Bev Weidner says
Look. At. Those.
Katrina says
Whoa. I’m in love!
shelly (cookies and cups) says
Those look insanely delicious! Ilove the addition of cream cheese!! WIll HAVE to try these!!
Rosa says
Fabulous cookies! I love their color and texture.
Cheers,
Rosa
Julie @ Table for Two says
red velvet week is my kinda week!!!! it’s my favorite flavor and it’s definitely going to be in my wedding cake. i love that you made it a week 🙂 i will definitely be following closely!