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
Scale
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.
