Several years ago, I had a version of these cookies while my sister-in-law’s mother was visiting for Christmas. They left such an impression that I’ve thought about them often ever since. Recently, I decided to track down the recipe and give it a try.
Trust me, if you make these Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies, you’re going to have a hard time resisting them. They’re soft, chewy, and bursting with a rich buttery flavor that makes them absolutely irresistible. Perfect for any occasion, they’re the kind of treat that disappears as soon as they hit the plate.
I found this recipe on the Betty Crocker site and wanted to share it with you. I’ve included the link to their recipe and video guide below—happy baking! And don’t say I didn’t warn you—they’re dangerously good!
Ingredients
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Yellow Cake Mix
1-2 cups powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and butter. Use an electric mixer to beat until smooth. Then add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well blended.
Add Cake Mix: Gradually stir in the yellow cake mix until fully combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This step makes it easier to handle.
Form Cookie Balls: Once chilled, scoop out small portions of the dough and roll them into balls about 1 inch in diameter.
Coat in Powdered Sugar: Roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated.
Bake: Place the cookie balls on ungreased cookie sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Optionally, you can sprinkle more powdered sugar on top before serving.
Tips
For variations, consider using different cake mixes like chocolate or lemon.
Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing.
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days (there is no way these cookies are still going to be around three days later. 😉)
Enjoy these delicious gooey butter cookies that are sure to be a hit with family and friends!
I love cranberry sauce! This is tangy and sweet dip that’s perfect for holiday parties.
Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (15 ounce) can cranberry sauce
1 teaspoon grated orange zest (optional)
1 tablespoon orange juice (optional)
Instructions:
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, sugar, salt, and pepper. For a sweeter dip, add a bit of orange zest or a splash of orange juice. Beat until smooth.
Fold in cranberry sauce: Gently fold in the cranberry sauce until combined.
Chill: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to blend.
Serve: Serve with your favorite crackers, vegetables, or chips.
I’m in the mood for holiday food. Over the next few days I am going to be sharing some holiday recipes. I love gingerbread cookies! These classic gingerbread cookies are perfect for decorating and gifting during the holidays.
Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
Royal icing (for decorating)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or foil.
Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the molasses.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until1 just combined.
Roll and cut: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the cookies with royal icing and sprinkles.
Royal Icing:
3 cups powdered sugar
2-3 tablespoons meringue powder*
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5-6 tablespoons water
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and beat with a mixer until smooth and spreadable.
*If you need a substitute for meringue powder, you can use an equal amount of reconstituted egg white powder mixed with water, a slightly smaller amount of aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas), or a gelatin mixture made with warm water and gelatin powder – just be sure to adjust the liquid content accordingly depending on the substitute you choose.
Enjoy these festive treats with a cup of hot cocoa, glass of milk, coffee, or tea!
Recently I was listening to the beautiful song “No One Gets Out Alive” by Maggie Rose, and was struck by the truth found in this catchy song.
In life, there are moments that define us, urging us to seize every opportunity before it slips away. Whether it’s buying a dream house, traveling and exploring the streets of a new place, or wearing that dress that makes you feel good about yourself, we’re reminded that no one gets out alive. Reach out to friends and loved ones, make the call that you have been putting off, send the text or email that you have been meaning to send, and live without regrets.
Slow down, linger on the swing, savoring the illusion of eternity, hoping for a tomorrow that may never come. We gaze at the sky from a hill, trying to hold onto fleeting moments, knowing that time waits for no one. Celebrate the present, cherishing the bonds that tie us together. In the end, all we have are the memories we create, the love we share, and the life we’ve lived.
No one gets out alive, so why not make every moment count? Instead of dwelling on fears or hesitations, let’s embrace the uncertainty of life with courage and enthusiasm. Let’s prioritize experiences over possessions, connections over distractions, and authenticity over conformity. Life is a journey filled with twists and turns, highs and lows, but it’s our willingness to embrace it fully that defines our legacy. In the end, it’s not about how long we live, but how deeply we’ve experienced every moment along the way.
Checkout Maggie’s song “No One Gets Out Alive” by clicking HERE.
“Your LOVE for one another will PROVE to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35
The Bible verse John 13:35 carries a powerful message, it emphasizes the essential aspect of being a disciple of Christ: the demonstration of love towards one another. Love that transcends political affiliations, levels of conservativeness, pro-life stances, fashion choices, or any external characteristics that may divide us.
In today’s world, where divisions and differences seem to abound, it is easy to lose sight of the core principles that Jesus taught. He emphasized the importance of love as a defining characteristic of his followers. Love is meant to be the distinguishing mark of Christians, the evidence that we are truly walking in the footsteps of Jesus.
It is a love that mirrors the selfless and sacrificial love demonstrated by Jesus himself. This love is not selective, only extended to those who share our beliefs or align with our perspectives. It extends to all people, regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or appearances.
By loving one another, we display the transformative power of Christ’s teachings. This love speaks louder than political debates, ideological differences, or personal preferences. It breaks down barriers, builds bridges, and brings people together in a profound way.
Our love should be evident in our actions and attitudes. It should be expressed through compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and a genuine desire to help and serve others. It involves treating everyone we encounter with dignity, respect, and empathy. It means actively seeking opportunities to uplift, support, and encourage those around us.
When we choose to love unconditionally, we bear witness to the transformative love of Jesus. Our love should inspire others, drawing them closer to the truth and goodness found in Christ. It should be a beacon of hope in a world that often seems divided and filled with animosity.
The verse reminds us that our love for one another is a reflection of our relationship with Jesus. It is a tangible demonstration of the faith that we profess. Love becomes our testimony, speaking volumes about the transformative power of Christ’s teachings.
Let’s not allow our differences to define us or overshadow the love that we are called to demonstrate. Instead, let’s focus on emulating the love of Jesus, allowing it to radiate through our words, actions, and interactions with others. May our love for one another be a powerful testament to the world, serving as proof that we are truly following in the footsteps of our Savior.
Last week I posted about my frustration with finding a lack of love in the church. If you want to read more about that you can click HERE.
If you like what you have read here sign up to receive LookingJoliGood posts by email. I would love for you to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.
If the title doesn’t immediately make you start singing the 2003 Black Eyed Peas song, then I don’t know if we can be friends.
For the last several years I’ve been on a personal spiritual journey. I’ve been discovering what I believe and why I believe what I do. Spurred on by finding myself frustrated by different difficult situations in my church community, I found myself constantly asking, “Where is the love? Where is the love?…WHERE IS THE LOVE?!
The church is comprised of individuals who, despite their best intentions, are prone to shortcomings and failings. While love is a central principle throughout the Bible, I recognize that people within the church can still display flawed behaviors and attitudes that contradict the essence of love and compassion.
Conflicts and divisions can arise within any community, even including the church. Varying perspectives, beliefs, and personal preferences can lead to disagreements and misunderstandings, hindering the authentic expression of love. When this happens, it can be disheartening and easy to perceive a lack of love within the church.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 specifically speaks about what happens when things are done without love…
If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. (The Message Bible: emphasis added by me)
Through my own Bible reading and study, I’ve spent time getting to know who Jesus is and what He taught. During his ministry, Jesus constantly taught the importance of showing love and kindness towards those around us. He acknowledged those shunned by society. He was a friend to the outcasts. A dinner companion to the sinner. A healer of the sick. A comfort to the hurting. The more I read about Jesus, the more I love Him. My faith and trust in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have only increased along this journey.
I acknowledge that I have not always exemplified love in the past, I recognize that there have been moments when I’ve succumbed to pettiness, unkindness, and an unloving attitude. Regrettably, there have been instances where I have responded with unkindness to those who treated me poorly. While I cannot alter the actions of others or the way I reacted in the past, I am resolutely choosing to embrace a loving approach in the future.
My quest to discover “Where is the love?” constantly leads me back to Jesus. I find myself consistently drawn back to Him. I have come to realize that even in situations where love appears to be absent, He remains present.
When asked which commandment is the most important, Jesus answered “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ‘ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ‘ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Simply put, Love God, Love Others.
Following in the footsteps of Jesus, I have the capacity to become a friend to those who feel alone, a source of encouragement to those who are disheartened, and a warm smile for those who find themselves isolated. I can extend compassion and recognition to those who are marginalized by society. Through consciously choosing to care for and wholeheartedly love individuals who cannot repay me, provide personal gain, or offer anything in return, I have the opportunity to manifest the love of Jesus. In each decision I make, I can be the embodiment of the love that someone else needs.
With each choice I make I can show the love of Jesus.
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything,Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. 1 Corinthians 13 4-7
Where there is no love… Be the love!
Despite moments when the actions of the church and its leaders have left me bewildered, causing me to question, “Where is the Love?”, I firmly believe that regardless of any circumstances, I can always discover love in God.
I would love for you to follow me on Twitter and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good. Stop by and visit my Instagram page as well @lookingjoligood. Generally, I post pictures of food, plants and puppies, but there are pictures of makeup and beauty products as well.
People killin’, people dyin’ Children hurt, hear them cryin’ Can you practice what you preach Or would you turn the other cheek?
Father, Father, Father, help us Send some guidance from above ‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’ Where is the love (love)
Where is the love? (The love) Where is the love? (The love) Where is the love, the love, the love?
I have stood before the crosses as we laid a soldier down. They cast a simple shadow upon the upturned ground The bugler sounds taps as each cross its witness bears to the journey of a soldier released from earthly cares. I have stood before the crosses and prayed a lonely prayer, in hopes of some redemption as I struggled to compare My life of long contentment with the soldier’s hallowed call to warrant with his dying breath a better world for all. I have stood before the upturned ground and struggled to compare my courage and my character with the man or woman there. Would I have died a valiant death in a foreign land, upon a distant battlefield, to save my fellow man? I have stood before the crosses as the sun was going down, watching as the shadows faded upon the upturned ground. I have looked upon the hillside of the crosses, row on row, upon the young and brave of heart never to grow old. I have knelt before the crosses at night, before I sleep, and made upon my bended knee a covenant I keep: To live a life of service, to honor all our losses, for those who went before us, those beneath the crosses.
I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three. I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!
To know Tessie was to love and be loved by Tessie.
Grief…
It is a thing we all have in common, but it looks and feels different to everyone. It comes in its own time… at its own pace…different for everyone.
It’s dealt with in different ways by everyone. Some deal with it in healthy and healing ways, while others may choose ways that are hurtful, destructive, and wounding. Some might choose to bask in it, others try to ignore it and push it away.
It isn’t just death we have to grieve, it’s loss, it’s change, it’s things not going as planned, it’s life not being what was expected.
When grief hurts so much that you can’t breathe, you may wonder if you will survive. You wonder why it has to hurt so badly. But… you keep breathing, keep living, keep surviving, one breath, one hour, one day at a time. Hours turn into days, turn into weeks turn into months, you keep breathing, living, surviving, eventually thriving.
Tears may come when you least expect them. Grief might grasp ahold of you and overwhelm you out of the blue. Just when you think it’s over you might find yourself overcome once again. You might be laughing one second and crying in wracking heaves the next. You might find yourself avoiding certain places or spaces because the memories are too overwhelming.
I have learned that when the grief comes the best thing to do is to let yourself feel it. Don’t push it down or deny yourself the grief. Respect it. Let it overcome you, wash over you. Let yourself feel it fully without being wholly consumed by it. Hold on to it as long as necessary, let it go only when you are thoroughly ready.
I miss that sweet smile.
To know Tessie was to love and be loved by Tessie. She was pure love and sweetness. She was loyal, she was kind, she was sweet, good-natured, and (mostly) patient, except that is, when she wanted someone to play ball with her. Even in her final days when she was so weak, her eyes lit up whenever she saw a tennis ball.
This sweet little dog brought so much happiness to my life.
Tessie was such a large part of my life. My best friend, my ever-present companion, and sidekick. She listened intently to everything I had to say. She was never more than a foot away from me. Despite not being human, I loved her as if she was my own child.
As the years went on and she aged, I did all I could to keep her healthy. Special medicine and diets to prevent her liver disease from progressing. When she went blind I gave her eye drops perfectly on schedule. When I noticed her limping from stiff legs, I rubbed her legs. When I noticed her weight loss, I gave her more treats and added special things to her food to encourage her to eat. When she started having accidents in the house, I made excuses and cleaned them up, not caring about the mess, just happy that she was still with me. As her body started to shut down I did everything I could think of to prolong her life.
As she got older and the end grew closer, I grieved. I grieved every time she had a bad health day. I grieved when she started having seizures at 11 years old. I grieved when she went blind at 13. I grieved the potential of her death for months, even years, before she passed.
I was told many times that when it came time to say goodbye she would let me know. My overwhelming anxiety of losing her wouldn’t listen, couldn’t listen. The grief that I feared so greatly was trying to fool me into thinking that I could ignore what was obvious. I tried to fool myself into reasoning that she still wanted to play ball and she was still eating treats, she was going to bounce back as she had done so many times. But, when the time came to say goodbye, and I was finally ready to listen, she let me know it was ok.
The Vet came to our house so we could be with her as she crossed the rainbow bridge. I held her in my arms as she took her last breath and a piece of me died along with her. Despite knowing that the day was approaching and it was the right decision, I wasn’t ready… I would never be ready. How do you prepare to say goodbye to your best friend?
Gone from my life, but forever in my heart.
In his book The Smell of Rain on Dust Martin Prechtel describes grief this way
“Grief expressed out loud, whether in or out of character, unchoreographed and honest, for someone we have lost, or a country or home we have lost, is in itself the greatest praise we could ever give them. Grief is praise, because it is the natural way love honors what it misses.”
Grief for someone that’s gone isn’t grief for the dead, it’s praise for the fact that they were alive, the fact they were loved.
Saying goodbye to Tessie was a devastating transition in my life. Her absence created a huge shift in my daily life. There is an emptiness in my heart when I think about the loss of her. A part of me was missing. One of my favorite things in life was gone. My heart was broken. I know I feel this way because of the fullness and joy that Tess added to my life.
The grief still gets me sometimes. It sneaks up on me when I least expect it. I still find myself crying at random times… I’m crying now as I write this.
It took me days to recover, weeks to stop crying, months to feel normal again. One year later…
Grief…
It is a thing we all have in common, but it looks and feels different to everyone. It comes in its own time… at its own pace…different for everyone.
My best friend forever, my loyal companion. There will always be a Tessie-sized hole in my life. She will be loved forever and missed always. Tessie Mae: April 30,2006-August 11, 2020 🐼❤️
My best friend, forever in my heart.
Stop by Instagram and visit my page @lookingjoligood. We’ve got a great community of kind people over there. Generally, I post mostly pictures of food, plants, sunsets, and puppies, but there are lots of pictures of makeup and beauty products as well. 😉
I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three. I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!
Memorial Day is an American holiday on which those who died in active military service are remembered. It’s a day for honoring and mourning people who’ve died while fighting to keep us safe. It’s a time many visit friends and family who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. In 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. It was traditionally observed on May 30 but is now officially observed on the last Monday in May.
Florida National Cemetery where my grandfather is buried
John McCrae wrote the poem In Flanders Fields in 1915 as a memorial to those who died in a World War I battle fought in a region of Belgium known as the Ypres Salient. McCrae himself treated many of the soldiers injured in that battle and was particularly moved by the death of a close friend, Alexis Helmer. This poem helped popularize the red poppy as a symbol of remembrance.
Gone but not forgotten
In Flanders Fields
BY JOHN MCCRAE In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
Stop by and visit my Instagram page @lookingjoligood. Generally, I post pictures of food, plants and puppies, but there are pictures of makeup and beauty products as well. I would love for you to follow me on Twitter and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good. I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!
My grandmother receiving the American flag at my grandfather’s funeral in 2018
Looking Joli Good 