If ever there were a cookie to capture all the playful, mischievous spirit of the holidays, Grinch Cookies are it! These bright green treats are as charming as they are delicious, with a soft, cake-like texture and a sweet peppermint or vanilla aroma. They’re rolled in a snowy layer of powdered sugar and crowned with one adorable red heart—making it impossible not to smile when you see them. Whether you’re gathering for a holiday movie night, filling up your cookie exchange tray, or just want a new baking tradition that’s pure festive fun, Grinch Cookies are sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in Grinch Cookies plays an important role in creating both their whimsical look and crave-worthy flavor. Simple pantry staples transform into a magical cookie worthy of Whoville, so make sure to pick up each one to guarantee the best results!
- Vanilla or white cake mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): The ultimate shortcut for soft and fluffy texture with hints of vanilla sweetness.
- Vegetable oil (1/3 cup): Keeps the cookies moist and gives them their characteristic tenderness.
- Large eggs (2): Bind everything together, and help lift the cookies so they’re melt-in-your-mouth soft.
- Peppermint or vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a delightful holiday flavor—choose peppermint for a cool zing or vanilla for a classic touch.
- Green gel food coloring: Gives the cookies their iconic “Grinchy” green without making the dough runny; gel is key!
- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup, for rolling): Creates a beautiful crackled finish and a hint of extra sweetness.
- Red heart sprinkles: The adorable finishing touch; each cookie gets its own tiny heart to celebrate the Grinch’s story.
How to Make Grinch Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Station
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper. This guarantees your Grinch Cookies slide right off the tray, with perfectly golden bottoms and a mess-free cleanup. Gathering your ingredients and setting up now means the rest of the process is smooth sailing!
Step 2: Mix the Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and your chosen extract—either peppermint for a fun, seasonal twist or vanilla for that nostalgic sugar cookie feel. Stir everything together until a thick dough forms. The batter will smell fabulous already!
Step 3: Tint with Grinchy Green
Add your green gel food coloring a little at a time, stirring after each addition. Keep going until you reach that lively, unmistakable Grinch Cookies shade—a bold, cartoonish green! Gel food coloring gives you vibrant color without making the dough runny, so you end up with the best texture and impressive color.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl and transfer it to the fridge to chill for about 20 minutes. This step makes the dough so much easier to handle, plus it helps your cookies hold their cheerful shape while baking. Bonus: the flavors meld just a bit more too!
Step 5: Shape and Add Heart Sprinkles
Scoop out dough (about 1-inch balls) and roll each one in powdered sugar, generously coating each ball for that classic crackle. Place the cookie dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently press a single red heart sprinkle onto the center of each ball—a nod to the Grinch’s growing heart!
Step 6: Bake
Slide your trays into the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. You want the edges set but the centers still soft and tender. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will look frosted and magical—just right for holiday cheer!
How to Serve Grinch Cookies
Garnishes
These cookies already come with built-in pizzazz, but a little extra flourish never hurts! A light dusting of extra powdered sugar right before serving adds a snowy touch, or pile them on a festive holiday platter surrounded by candy canes or sprigs of fresh mint for even more festive dazzle.
Side Dishes
Grinch Cookies are delightful on their own, but they shine even brighter when paired with cozy mugs of hot cocoa or spiced holiday coffee. For movie marathons, set out a spread with milk, warm apple cider, or even a peppermint mocha for a truly merry treat table.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn dessert into an experience! Try stacking the cookies on a tiered stand for a centerpiece-worthy display, or package a few in gift bags tied with red ribbon to share with friends and neighbors. For a Grinch-themed party, arrange the cookies in the shape of a Christmas tree and add a “star” on top. Your guests will love the creativity—and the taste!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Grinch Cookies have completely cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and irresistible for up to five days, making them perfect for snack-time sneaks and lunchbox surprises all week long.
Freezing
To preserve your cookies even longer, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag or airtight container. You can freeze both baked cookies and unbaked dough balls (roll in powdered sugar before baking, after thawing). Enjoy fresh Grinch Cookies for up to three months whenever you get a festive craving!
Reheating
If you love a just-baked cookie, pop frozen or room-temperature Grinch Cookies in the microwave for about 5–10 seconds. They’ll be wonderfully soft and warm, like they just came out of the oven, and you’ll enjoy those rich aromas all over again.
FAQs
Do I have to use cake mix for Grinch Cookies?
The cake mix is what gives Grinch Cookies their special, fluffy texture and makes the recipe super simple. If you’d like a from-scratch version, you can experiment with your favorite sugar cookie or vanilla cookie base, but cake mix delivers reliably delicious results every time!
Can I use a different color for special occasions?
Absolutely! While green is a Grinch Cookies signature, you could use red for Valentine’s Day or blue for a winter wonderland party—the method stays the same, just swap out your gel food coloring to suit the event.
What kind of food coloring works best?
Gel food coloring is strongly recommended for Grinch Cookies. It gives you the bright green hue you want without thinning your dough, so you get cookies that are boldly colorful and perfectly baked.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Look for a gluten-free vanilla or white cake mix, and double-check that your extracts and sprinkles are also gluten-free. The rest of the recipe stays exactly the same, so everyone can enjoy these festive treats.
How can I keep the cookies soft?
Store Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and add a slice of bread in the container if you’d like to keep them extra soft—the cookies will stay fresh and tender for days!
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to bring a big dose of whimsy and warmth to your holidays, Grinch Cookies are the way to do it! They’re impossibly cute, surprisingly easy, and guaranteed to spark smiles with every bite. Give them a whirl this season and watch them become a new tradition that everyone asks for year after year!
Print
Grinch Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Grinch Cookies are a festive and fun treat perfect for the holiday season. Made with a cake mix base, these green cookies are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 box vanilla or white cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint or vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
- Red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dough: In a large bowl, combine cake mix, oil, eggs, and extract until a dough forms. Add green food coloring to achieve desired color. Chill dough for 20 minutes.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop dough into balls, roll in powdered sugar, place on baking sheets, and press a red heart sprinkle on each. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant green color.
- Great for holiday parties and cookie exchanges.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
