If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and absolutely delightful treat to brighten up your holiday celebrations, this Grinch Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These vibrant green cookies are soft, chewy, and perfectly sweet, with a whimsical pop of red candy that makes them as charming to look at as they are to eat. Easy to whip up with simple pantry staples, this recipe brings the playful spirit of the Grinch to your kitchen with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple ingredients is the first step to creating these enchanting treats. Each one plays a key role in the texture, flavor, or festive color that makes the Grinch Cookies Recipe so irresistible.
- Vanilla cake mix: The base of the cookies gives them a soft and cakey texture that’s perfect for holiday treats.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds rich flavor and helps keep the cookies tender and moist.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the dough silky and improves the softness of the finished cookies.
- Large eggs (room temperature): Bind everything together and help the cookies rise nicely.
- Powdered sugar: Used for coating, adding a delicate sweetness and a pretty powdered finish.
- Cornstarch: Mixes with powdered sugar to create a soft coating that helps with the dough’s texture and prevents sticking.
- Green food coloring: The star of the show, coloring the dough the iconic bright Grinch green.
- Heart sprinkles or small red candies: Add a sweet, colorful accent that’s reminiscent of the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes in the story.
How to Make Grinch Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
First things first, preheat your oven to 350℉. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to make sure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick. This little prep step makes cleanup a breeze, too.
Step 2: Mix the Powdered Sugar and Cornstarch
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. This mixture will be used later to coat the dough balls, ensuring your cookies have that perfect tender crumb and a gorgeous dusted finish.
Step 3: Blend the Cookie Dough
Grab a large bowl and add the vanilla cake mix, softened unsalted butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Use a handheld mixer to blend all these ingredients together until the dough is nicely combined. Then add green food coloring—you want to achieve that lively shade of green that makes these Grinch Cookies Recipe so fun and festive. Expect the dough to be thick, which is exactly what you want.
Step 4: Form and Coat the Dough Balls
Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, scoop out dough balls about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Drop each ball into the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture, gently rolling them around to coat. The dough will feel soft and delicate, so handle with care. Place the coated dough balls onto your prepared cookie sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to give them room to expand while baking.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pop the cookie sheets in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Midway through, rotate the pans to ensure an even bake. Watch for the moment when your cookies puff up and the edges feel firm to the touch—that’s your sign to take them out.
Step 6: Add the Cherry on Top
Right after you pull them from the oven, place a heart-shaped sprinkle or a red candy in one of the cookie’s cracks and press gently so it sticks. This little pop of red isn’t just adorable—it’s meaningful, symbolizing the Grinch’s newfound warmth and joy.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. As they cool, they’ll gently deflate and flatten out, which is completely normal. Now, they’re ready to serve and spread some holiday happiness!
How to Serve Grinch Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While the heart sprinkles or red candies add that magical touch, you can get creative and add a dusting of edible glitter or even a small drizzle of white chocolate for an extra festive look. These little details really amp up the holiday cheer and make your Grinch Cookies Recipe irresistible on any cookie platter.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine alongside a tall glass of cold milk or a warm mug of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream. For a holiday party, pair them with other colorful treats like red velvet cupcakes or peppermint bark to create a festive, vibrant dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider wrapping these cookies in festive cellophane bags tied with red or green ribbon for a delightful gift. Alternatively, stack them with parchment layers in a decorative tin or arrange them on a holiday-themed plate to wow your guests at celebrations. Presentation is half the fun with these festive Grinch Cookies Recipe!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days. Keeping them sealed well prevents them from drying out, preserving their soft, tender texture that’s so loved.
Freezing
If you want to stock up ahead of time, you can freeze these cookies in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze them after they’ve completely cooled to maintain their texture when thawed.
Reheating
To enjoy your frozen cookies fresh, simply thaw them at room temperature. If you prefer a warm treat, pop them in a preheated oven at 300℉ for about 5 minutes. This gentle warming brings back that just-baked softness and dreamy flavor without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix flavor for this recipe?
Absolutely! Vanilla works beautifully to create the classic look, but chocolate or funfetti cake mixes can add a unique twist to your Grinch Cookies Recipe if you’re feeling adventurous.
How much green food coloring do I need? Can I use natural colorings?
The amount depends on the brand of food coloring and how vibrant you want your cookies, but start with a few drops and add more until you reach your desired color. For a natural alternative, spinach puree or matcha powder can be experimented with, though the final color will be slightly different.
Why do the cookies flatten after baking?
It’s completely normal for these cookies to puff up in the oven and then gently deflate as they cool because of their soft, cakey texture. This is part of what makes them so tender and delicious.
Can I substitute the butter with margarine or oil only?
Using butter adds important flavor and richness, so it’s recommended. Margarine can work, but the taste might be slightly different. The small amount of vegetable oil helps with softness, so it’s best to keep it in the recipe.
What if I don’t have heart sprinkles? Are there alternatives?
Definitely! You can use any small red candy like M&M’s, Skittles, or even red jelly beans. The goal is to add that cheerful pop of red that symbolizes the Grinch’s heart growing bigger!
Final Thoughts
This Grinch Cookies Recipe is a joyous way to bring a little holiday magic into your kitchen. With its easy steps and cheerful colors, it’s perfect for sharing with family and friends or gifting to neighbors. Give these cookies a try—you might just find yourself making them every year as a sweet holiday tradition!
Print
Grinch Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 18-20 minutes
- Yield: 18 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive Grinch Cookies are soft, chewy, and perfectly green with a delightful pop of red from heart-shaped sprinkles or candies. Made using a simple vanilla cake mix and a few basic ingredients, they’re easy to whip up and bake in just 20 minutes, making them an ideal holiday treat for parties and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Wet Ingredients
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- Green food coloring, to desired color
Toppings
- Heart sprinkles or small red sprinkles, M&M’s, or Skittles (for decorating)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃). Line two cookie sheets or sheet pans with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
- Mix Powdered Sugar and Cornstarch: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch thoroughly. Set this mixture aside for coating the dough balls later.
- Combine Dough Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the vanilla cake mix, softened unsalted butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Using a handheld mixer, blend all the ingredients until the batter is well combined. Then, mix in green food coloring until you reach your desired shade of green. The batter will be very thick.
- Form and Coat Dough Balls: Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, scoop dough balls approximately 1 ½ inches in diameter. Drop each dough ball into the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture. Because the dough is very soft, gently roll the dough balls in the mixture to coat them completely. Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the cookie sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Rotate the cookie sheets halfway through baking to ensure even cooking. You’ll know the cookies are ready when they puff up and the edges become firm to the touch.
- Add Sprinkles while Warm: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a heart sprinkle or a small round red candy onto the top of each cookie. To help it stick, gently press the sprinkle into one of the cracks on the cookie surface.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will deflate and flatten as they cool, which is perfectly normal. Serve and enjoy your festive Grinch Cookies!
Notes
- Ensure eggs and butter are at room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- The batter will be quite thick, so don’t be alarmed—it’s supposed to be.
- If you want a more intense green color, add food coloring gradually until happy with the shade.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Cookies will flatten as they cool, so place sprinkles immediately after baking to help them adhere.
- You can substitute heart sprinkles with any small red candies like M&M’s or Skittles.
