If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and utterly delightful treat this holiday season, the Grinch Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These bright green, soft, cake-like cookies capture the quirky charm of the Grinch in every bite, with a perfect balance of sweetness and that signature holiday whimsy. Whether you’re baking for a Christmas party, gift-giving, or a cozy afternoon with friends, these cookies bring joy and smiles loaded with color and flavor that everyone will adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple ingredients is the first step to whipping up these charming Grinch Cookies. Each one plays a special role to build that soft texture, festive green color, and perfectly sweet taste we love.
- Vanilla cake mix: Acts as the base for a tender and fluffy cookie structure, so there’s no need for flour measuring and mixing from scratch.
- Unsalted butter (â…“ cup, softened): Adds richness and moisture while keeping the cookies soft and melt-in-your-mouth.
- Vegetable oil (1 tablespoon): Enhances the cake-like softness and helps with smooth mixing.
- Large eggs (2, room temperature): Bind everything together and provide structure.
- Powdered sugar (1/3 cup): For coating the cookies before baking to give a delicate sweetness and a charming snowy effect.
- Cornstarch (1/4 cup): Mixed with powdered sugar, ensures the cookies don’t spread too much and creates a gentle outer texture.
- Green food coloring: The magic behind those unmistakable Grinch-green cookies that brighten any cookie tray.
- Heart sprinkles or small red candies: The perfect whimsical touch that mimics the Grinch’s tiny heart, adding color contrast and cuteness.
How to Make Grinch Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and helps even baking. Meanwhile, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl—this mixture will become the signature coating for your dough balls.
Step 2: Mix the Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, combine the entire box of vanilla cake mix, softened butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Using a handheld mixer, blend all the ingredients until they’re thoroughly combined into a thick, rich dough. Now it’s time to add the green food coloring gradually, mixing until you reach that iconic Grinch green shade. The dough might feel dense but don’t worry—that’s exactly what you want.
Step 3: Form and Coat the Dough Balls
Scoop out about 1 ½-inch balls of dough using a cookie scoop or two spoons. Gently roll each ball in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture you prepared earlier. This step is crucial because it gives the cookies that festive powdered sugar crust and keeps the dough from sticking while baking. Place the coated dough balls on your prepared pans, making sure to leave about 2 inches between each to allow for spreading.
Step 4: Bake and Add the Iconic Heart
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through so they bake evenly. You’ll know they’re ready when the cookies have puffed up and the edges feel firm but still soft inside. Remove the trays from the oven, and while the cookies are still warm, gently press a heart sprinkle or small red candy into one of the cracks on each cookie. This charming little detail symbolizes the Grinch’s heart growing and adds an adorable finishing touch.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. It’s normal for them to deflate and flatten a bit as they cool, but don’t let that fool you—the flavor and texture remain perfect. Once cooled, these delights are ready to be enjoyed!
How to Serve Grinch Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Heart sprinkles are the classic choice, but feel free to get creative with your toppings! Try red M&M’s or Skittles for a colorful pop, or even edible glitter to add sparkle. These little garnishes not only make the cookies visually festive but also add a fun textural contrast.
Side Dishes
Serve Grinch Cookies alongside a cup of hot cocoa or peppermint tea to balance their sweetness with a warm, cozy beverage. For a party, they also pair beautifully with green-tinted milkshakes or a simple platter of fresh fruit to keep things light and festive.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies on a holiday-themed platter or stack them in clear jars tied with festive ribbons for gifting. You can also create a dessert board with the cookies, candies, and nuts for guests to nibble on. The bright green color also makes these cookies delightful centerpieces for holiday cookie exchanges.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store your Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for up to a week. If you want to maintain their vibrant green hue, keep them away from direct light and heat.
Freezing
These cookies freeze wonderfully! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet first to freeze solid, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag or container. They can be frozen for up to three months, so you can make batches ahead of time to enjoy throughout the season.
Reheating
To enjoy them fresh from the freezer, let the cookies thaw at room temperature. If you prefer them warm, pop them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds—just enough to soften without melting the heart sprinkles or candy tops.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix flavor for this Grinch Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While the classic vanilla flavor keeps the green color bright and cheerful, you can experiment with funfetti or even a lemon cake mix for a unique twist. Just keep in mind that the flavor and color might vary slightly.
What if I don’t have green food coloring? Can I make these cookies still look like the Grinch?
If green food coloring isn’t handy, you might try natural alternatives like matcha powder or spirulina powder, though these can alter the taste a bit. Otherwise, swapping green for another festive color is fine if you’re just after the cozy cookie experience!
Why does the dough feel so thick when mixing?
The thickness comes from the cake mix base combined with the butter and eggs. This consistency is key to getting soft, cake-like cookies instead of flat, crunchy ones. Don’t add extra liquid; the dough is meant to be dense for proper texture.
Can I substitute sprinkles for the heart-shaped candy?
Yes! The heart-shaped candy is iconic but not mandatory. Any small red sprinkle, M&M, or Skittle works well and adds a fun visual pop. Press the candy gently into warm cookies so it sticks as they cool.
How can I make these cookies extra soft and chewy?
Using room temperature butter and eggs helps create a soft dough. Avoid overbaking by watching the cookies closely—their edges should be firm but centers soft. Cooling on the pan also allows them to set perfectly without drying out.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you try this Grinch Cookies Recipe, it will become a holiday staple you can’t wait to bake again. It’s simple, festive, and full of personality—just like the Grinch himself. So grab your ingredients, paint your kitchen green, and enjoy sharing these charming cookies that bring out the joy in every season.
Print
Grinch Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 18-20 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 18 medium-sized cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Grinch Cookies are a fun and easy holiday treat made from a vanilla cake mix, colored bright green, and decorated with red heart sprinkles for a cheerful pop of color. Soft, chewy, and perfectly sweet, they’re perfect for Christmas parties or gifting.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- â…“ cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- Green food coloring, to desired shade
Coating
- â…“ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
Decoration
- Heart sprinkles or small red sprinkles, M&M’s, or Skittles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃). Line two cookie sheets or baking pans with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Coating: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. Set this mixture aside; it will be used to coat the cookie dough balls before baking.
- Make Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, add the vanilla cake mix, softened unsalted butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Using a handheld mixer, blend all ingredients until smooth and well combined. The dough will be thick. Add green food coloring gradually until you reach your desired shade of green.
- Shape and Coat Dough Balls: Use a cookie scoop or two spoons to form dough balls approximately 1½ inches in diameter. Roll each dough ball gently in the powdered sugar-cornstarch mixture so they are well-coated but keep their soft texture. Place them spaced at least 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Halfway through baking, rotate the cookie sheets to ensure even cooking. You’ll know they’re done when the cookies puff up and the edges feel firm to the touch.
- Add Decorations: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press a heart sprinkle or a small round red candy gently into the center of each cookie. To help the sprinkle stick better, try placing it into a small crack in the cookie surface.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will deflate and flatten as they cool, which is normal for this recipe. Enjoy your festive Grinch Cookies!
Notes
- Make sure eggs and butter are at room temperature for best mixing results.
- The dough will be very thick and soft—handle gently when rolling in sugar mixture.
- You can substitute heart sprinkles with any small red candy of your choice for decoration.
- Cookies will flatten after baking; don’t worry, the flavor and texture remain delightful.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a more intense green, adjust food coloring accordingly, but avoid adding too much liquid.
