Christmas Cookie Bake Off: Round 1

Today was the first day of my mom and I's annual Christmas Cookie Bake off; yes, it takes two days. Every year we ask everyone in our family what their favorite cookie is and then we bake them for the holidays. Today, we decided to bake three out of the six treats requested. We made Oatmeal Butterscotch cookies, Peanut Butter Blossoms and Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies. Yep, you have read it correctly....Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies. A few years ago my mom was watching Oprah and she featured these cookies courtesy of Paula Deen. We all know if Paula Deen has anything to do with something, it is guaranteed to be delicious. Now, if you love chocolate, melt in your mouth, gooey cookies-these are it! I know around this time of year many people bake holiday treats to give as a homemade gift, for your lovely neighbor, for family, or just for yourself. Therefore, I decided I wanted to share this awesome recipe because it is one that will land a spot in your recipe book for sure. Here is the recipe:

Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies
(Recipe courtesy Paula Deen)
Makes a little over 2 dozen depending on the size that you make your balls

Ingredient:
1 (8 oz) brick cream cheese at room temperature
1 stick of butter at room temperature
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (18 oz) box of moist chocolate cake mix
Confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter until it is smooth. Beat in the egg. Once the egg is beat in, add the vanilla extract. Beat in the cake mix. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours in order for the dough to firm up so you are able to roll the batter into balls. Roll the chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls and then roll them in confectioner's sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake 12 minutes. The cookies will remain soft and gooey. Cool the cookies completely and if desired sprinkle more confectioners' sugar on them. 

I have added two picture, of the the balls rolled in the sugar before baking and one of the finished yumminess :)

Be prepared to be addicted! I would love to hear if you made these yourself or what your favorite cookie is!

I hope everyone has a very happy holiday <3