Grinch Cookies Recipe for Jolly Holiday Baking

Whipping up a batch of grinch-inspired cookies brings festive cheer to any holiday gathering.

Emerald green hues and playful design capture the mischievous spirit of the beloved character.

Sweet bakers seeking something extraordinary will adore this whimsical treat.

Christmas magic sparkles through every delightful bite of these charming confections.

Decorative sprinkles and cream cheese frosting add a delectable twist to classic sugar cookies.

Winter celebrations demand something spectacular that makes everyone smile.

Each cookie promises a delightful surprise that transforms your dessert table into a winter wonderland.

You won’t believe how easy and fun these cookies are to create!

Simple Tips for Grinch Cookies

• Customize Color Intensity: Experiment with food coloring amounts to create your perfect shade of Grinch green, from soft pastel to vibrant emerald.
• Prevent Sugar Coating Clumps: Sift powdered sugar before rolling to ensure a smooth, even coverage on each cookie ball.
• Create Softer Texture: Remove cookies from the oven when edges are just set but centers remain slightly soft for maximum chewiness.
• Quick Heart Placement: Use tweezers or a toothpick to precisely position red heart sprinkles in the center of each cookie for neat presentation.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap eggs with 1/4 cup applesauce or a commercial egg replacer to make these cookies suitable for vegan diets.

How to Keep Grinch Cookies Fresh

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for longer preservation.
• Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours. They'll return to their soft, delicious texture.
• Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore their fresh-baked warmth.

Grinch Cookies Pairing Suggestions

• Whip up a rich, velvety hot chocolate that complements the sweet and playful Grinch Cookies, creating a nostalgic winter wonderland in your mouth.
• Scoop cold, smooth vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm cookies, offering a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that melts together beautifully.
• Blend a festive peppermint milkshake that echoes the holiday spirit of the Grinch Cookies, adding a cool, minty refreshment to each bite.
• Pour a mug of warm, cinnamon-infused apple cider that balances the sweetness of the cookies and brings cozy holiday comfort to your dessert experience.

Grinch Cookies Versions to Try

• Gluten-Free Green Cookies: Replace cake mix with gluten-free vanilla cake mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, maintaining the festive green color.
• Vegan Grinch Delight: Substitute eggs with flax eggs and use vegan cake mix. Choose plant-based food coloring to create the signature green shade.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Treat: Use sugar-free cake mix and replace powdered sugar with powdered erythritol for a diabetic-friendly version, keeping the fun festive design.
• Dairy-Free Holiday Cookie: Select dairy-free cake mix and verify all ingredients are milk-free, preserving the whimsical Grinch-themed appearance.

Grinch Cookies FAQs

• Why are these called Grinch Cookies?

These cookies are inspired by the Dr. Seuss character, the Grinch, with their bright green color and a small red heart sprinkle symbolizing the Grinch’s heart growing bigger.

• Can I make these cookies without food coloring?

While food coloring gives the signature Grinch green look, you can skip it and make regular cake mix cookies, though they won’t have the same festive appearance.

• What type of cake mix works best for this recipe?

A white or vanilla cake mix works perfectly, as it allows the green food coloring to create a vibrant color without interfering with the flavor.

• Are these cookies suitable for kids to make?

Yes! These cookies are super easy to make and kids will love rolling the dough in powdered sugar and adding the red heart sprinkles, making it a fun holiday baking activity.

Grinch Cookies That Everyone Loves

• Effortless Grinch Cookies
• Throw together these festive treats in just minutes using a simple cake mix base, making it perfect for busy holiday bakers with zero professional baking skills required.
• Create memorable moments with kids by letting them roll dough balls in powdered sugar and place heart sprinkles, turning cookie-making into a playful family activity that sparks joy and laughter.
• Bring instant smiles to holiday gatherings with these vibrant green cookies that capture the whimsical Grinch spirit, delighting both children and adults with their cute appearance and delicious taste.
• Enjoy foolproof results with a recipe that requires minimal ingredients, simple mixing technique, and quick baking time, ensuring even novice bakers can confidently create picture-perfect holiday cookies.

Ingredients Needed for Grinch Cookies

• Cake Mix: The magical foundation for soft, tender cookies with minimal effort.
• Green Food Coloring: Creates the signature Grinch-green color, essential for the playful theme.

• Vegetable Oil: Provides moisture and helps bind the dough together smoothly.
• Eggs: Adds structure and helps create a rich, soft cookie texture.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a delightful snowy coating and adds a sweet exterior crunch.
• Red Heart Sprinkles, Red Heart Candy: The iconic small heart detail representing the Grinch's growing heart, adding a festive touch.

How to Bake Grinch Cookies Right

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 350F (175C). Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 2: Create the Magical Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

Cake mix

Vegetable oil

Eggs

Blend everything until a soft dough emerges.

Add green food coloring and mix until the dough transforms into a vibrant Grinch-worthy green shade.

Step 3: Shape the Festive Treats

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into perfect balls. Give each ball a delightful powdery coating by rolling it in powdered sugar.

Arrange the sugar-coated balls on prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.

Step 4: Add the Heartfelt Touch

Gently press a red heart sprinkle or candy right into the center of each dough ball, symbolizing the Grinch’s growing heart.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pop the baking sheets into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Watch carefully to keep the cookies soft and chewy- nobody wants a rock-hard cookie!

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Step 6: Spread Holiday Cheer

These playful Grinch cookies are perfect for:

Holiday parties

Festive gift exchanges

Delighting children and adults alike

Creating magical memories during the Christmas season

Grinch Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Green crinkle Grinch cookies bring holiday cheer with their festive lime-green hue and playful heart-shaped sprinkles. Santa’s favorite cookie swap treat combines whimsy and nostalgia, tempting you to indulge in this whimsical Christmas dessert.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box (15.25 oz/432g) vanilla cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup (75ml) vegetable oil

Coloring and Decoration:

• ¼ teaspoon green gel food coloring (or a few drops liquid food coloring)
• 24 red heart sprinkles or candies

Coating:

• ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the workspace by preheating the oven to 350F (175C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
2. Create the vibrant cookie base by whisking together cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs until a smooth dough emerges.
3. Transform the dough into a festive Grinch-green by gradually adding food coloring, mixing thoroughly to achieve an even, vivid green tone.
4. Form uniform dough balls using a tablespoon, then generously coat each in powdered sugar for a delightful crackled exterior.
5. Carefully arrange the sugar-dusted green spheres on prepared baking sheets, maintaining approximately 2 inches of separation between each cookie.
6. Personalize each cookie by gently pressing a bright red heart-shaped sprinkle or candy into the center of each dough ball.
7. Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching carefully to ensure the cookies remain soft and chewy.
8. Remove from oven and allow cookies to rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, which helps them set and prevents breaking.
9. Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack, letting them cool completely to develop their signature texture and maintain their whimsical Grinch-inspired appearance.
10. Serve and delight in these playful, festive treats perfect for holiday celebrations, children’s parties, or as a cheerful seasonal gift.

Notes

• Customize the green color by gradually adding food coloring to achieve your perfect Grinch-like shade, ensuring vibrant and playful cookies.
• Swap regular food coloring with natural alternatives like matcha powder or spinach extract for a healthier green hue that maintains the festive spirit.
• Use dairy-free cake mix and egg substitutes like flax eggs to create vegan-friendly Grinch cookies that everyone can enjoy.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their soft texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 110
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 4.5g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 17g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 25mg