If you’re longing for a festive treat that bursts with holiday cheer and a pop of vibrant color, the Grinch Cookies Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. These irresistibly soft, green-tinted cookies embody whimsy and sweet delight, perfectly balancing a tender texture with a playful crunch from their charming heart-shaped sprinkles. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a cozy family night, or simply to spread some merry magic, this Grinch Cookies Recipe is as fun to make as it is to eat, transforming simple ingredients into a joyful edible masterpiece.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating these merry green beauties. Each component brings a unique quality—softness, color, or that irresistible vanilla flavor—that makes the Grinch Cookies recipe truly shine.
- Vanilla cake mix: The foundation for tender, fluffy cookies that practically melt in your mouth.
- Unsalted butter (⅓ cup, softened): Adds richness and helps create that soft, chewy texture.
- Vegetable oil (1 tablespoon): Keeps the cookies moist and tender.
- Large eggs (2, at room temperature): Bind everything together and add structure without toughness.
- Powdered sugar (1/3 cup): Used for coating the dough, lending a delicate sweetness and a snow-dusted look.
- Cornstarch (1/4 cup): Helps give the dough a soft, pillowy texture and supports that delicious crackle on the cookie surface.
- Green food coloring: The magic behind this festive cookie’s signature Grinch-green color.
- Heart sprinkles or small red candies: Perfect little pops of color symbolizing the Grinch’s newfound love and holiday spirit.
How to Make Grinch Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure your cookies bake evenly and release easily. This little prep step sets you up for cookie success.
Step 2: Mix the Powdered Sugar and Cornstarch
In a small bowl, whisk the powdered sugar and cornstarch together. This mixture will coat your dough balls, helping to create the cookie’s gorgeous crackled surface and that irresistible soft texture.
Step 3: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, dump in the vanilla cake mix, softened butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Using a handheld mixer, blend these ingredients until fully combined. Then, pour in your green food coloring a little at a time until the dough reaches that cheerful Grinch-green hue. Expect the batter to be very thick; you want it that way—that’s what makes these cookies so melt-in-your-mouth soft.
Step 4: Form the Dough Balls
Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, scoop out approximately 1 ½ inch dough balls. Roll each ball gently in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture. This step makes the cookies tender with delicate cracks on top. Place the coated dough balls on your prepared sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, turning the trays halfway through to ensure even baking. You’ll know they’re ready when the cookies puff up beautifully and the edges feel firm, but the centers remain soft to the touch.
Step 6: Bedazzle with Heart Sprinkles
Immediately out of the oven, press one heart sprinkle or red candy into each cookie. Push it gently into a crack so it stays put once the cookie cools—this little touch adds not only festive eye candy but a sweet surprise in every bite.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. As they cool, don’t be alarmed when they deflate and flatten slightly; that’s totally normal and part of their charm. Once cooled, serve up these joyful treats and watch their smiles grow!
How to Serve Grinch Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your Grinch Cookies with a dusting of powdered sugar or add some extra festive flair with tiny edible glitter flakes. Fresh mint leaves on the side also add a lovely touch of green freshness, complementing the cookies’ spirited look and flavor perfectly.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a warm mug of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream or a cozy cup of spiced tea for a comforting and festive combo. You might also consider serving them alongside a simple fruit salad with red berries to highlight the holiday colors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For an unforgettable presentation, arrange your Grinch Cookies on a holiday-themed platter surrounded by pine branches or candy canes. Wrapping a few cookies individually in clear cellophane bags tied with red or green ribbons makes for charming gifts or party favors, spreading joy far and wide.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep them separated by parchment sheets to prevent sticking and preserve their soft, tender texture.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! After cooling completely, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months and maintain their fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.
Reheating
To refresh frozen cookies, gently warm them in a 300-degree oven for about 5 minutes. This revives their soft texture and enhances their aroma, making every bite feel freshly baked all over again.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Absolutely! While vanilla cake mix provides the perfect base for classic Grinch Cookies, you can experiment with yellow or white cake mixes for a subtle twist. Just keep the green food coloring to maintain that iconic holiday vibe.
Do I need to use green food coloring?
To get that unmistakable Grinch-green hue, green food coloring is a must. Gel food coloring works best as it provides vibrant color without thinning the dough.
Can I substitute the butter with margarine?
While margarine can work in a pinch, using unsalted butter brings the best flavor and texture to these cookies thanks to its richness and moisture content.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Look for puffed-up cookies with edges that have set and feel firm to the touch. The centers will still be soft, which is exactly how they should be for that tender bite.
What if I don’t have heart sprinkles?
No worries! Small red candies like M&M’s or Skittles make excellent alternatives and add that festive pop of color perfectly.
Final Thoughts
Making the Grinch Cookies Recipe is not just about baking cookies; it’s about creating moments filled with joy, laughter, and holiday spirit. These soft, green, love-adorned delights are guaranteed to bring smiles to any gathering. So grab your ingredients, call your favorite people, and get ready to bake your way to holiday happiness with this enchanting recipe!
Print
Grinch Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 18 servings
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Grinch Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for holiday celebrations. Made from a simple vanilla cake mix and bright green food coloring, these soft, chewy cookies are rolled in a sweet powdered sugar and cornstarch coating, then topped with a cute red heart sprinkle for a pop of color. Easy to make and irresistibly charming, these cookies bring a fun Grinch-themed twist to your cookie platter.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- Green food coloring, to desired shade
Coating
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
Topping
- Heart sprinkles or small red candies such as M&M’s or Skittles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (177℃). Line two cookie sheets or sheet pans with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Coating Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. This mixture will be used to coat the cookie dough balls before baking.
- Prepare Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, softened butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Using a handheld mixer, blend until the ingredients are well combined and form a thick batter. Add green food coloring gradually and mix until you reach your preferred green shade.
- Form and Coat Dough Balls: Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, scoop out dough balls approximately 1½ inches in diameter. The dough will be soft, so handle gently. Roll each ball in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture to coat thoroughly, then place them on the prepared cookie sheets, spacing at least 2 inches apart.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Halfway through baking, rotate the cookie sheets for even cooking. The cookies are done when they puff up and the edges feel firm to the touch.
- Add Toppings: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press a heart sprinkle or small red candy into each cookie. Position the sprinkle in a crack or crevice so it adheres well as the cookie cools.
- 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 normal. Serve and enjoy these fun, festive treats!
Notes
- The batter is quite thick, so mixing thoroughly is key for even color and texture.
- Use room temperature eggs and butter for best mixing consistency.
- If you don’t have heart sprinkles, small red candies like M&M’s or Skittles work well as a substitute.
- Be gentle when rolling the soft dough balls in the coating to keep their shape intact.
- Cookies will slightly flatten after baking but remain soft and chewy.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
