If you’re looking for a festive treat that brings a burst of holiday cheer, this Grinch Cookies Recipe is a must-try. These cookies combine a fluffy, mint-infused cake base with vibrant green color that truly channels the mischievous spirit of the Grinch. With a perfect balance of soft texture and peppermint zing, topped off with cute red heart sprinkles, these cookies are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. They’re simple to make but packed with personality, making them an irresistible addition to any holiday gathering or a fun baking project to share with loved ones.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with the Grinch Cookies Recipe is easy because the ingredient list is straightforward and thoughtfully chosen. Each component plays a vital role in providing the perfect texture, flavor, or festive color that makes these cookies stand out.
- White cake mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): This forms the light, fluffy base and keeps the cookie tender.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, softened): Adds richness and helps the cookies stay soft and moist.
- Large eggs (2, room temperature): Act as a binder and give the dough structure.
- Peppermint or mint extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses each bite with a cool, festive flavor that pairs perfectly with the Grinch theme.
- Vanilla extract (½ teaspoon): Enhances the overall sweetness and balances the mint.
- Green gel food coloring (about 1 teaspoon): This delivers that iconic Grinch green color without watering down the batter.
- Powdered sugar (½ cup): Used for coating, adding a subtle sweetness and pretty finish.
- Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): Creates a slight crispness on the outside while keeping the inside tender.
- Red heart-shaped sprinkles: These add a playful pop of color and perfectly symbolize the Grinch’s heart growth!
How to Make Grinch Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Dough
Start by combining your white cake mix, softened butter, eggs, peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and green gel food coloring in a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to blend everything until you have a smooth, evenly green dough. This step is crucial because the mint extract aroma sparks the festive feeling, and the consistent mixing ensures every cookie is perfectly colored.
Step 2: Shape and Chill the Cookies
Next, mix the powdered sugar and cornstarch in a shallow bowl. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Roll each ball generously in the powdered sugar mixture to give them a lovely coating that will bake into a delicate outer layer. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then pop them in the fridge for 30 minutes. Chilling helps them hold their shape and prevents spreading during baking.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once chilled, place the cookies on a baking sheet and bake them for about 10–12 minutes. You’ll notice they will bake up soft with a slightly crackled surface—exactly what you want! Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking so they remain tender and fluffy inside.
Step 4: Add the Red Heart Sprinkles
Right after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press one or two red heart-shaped sprinkles onto the center of each cookie. This tiny touch not only brings the Grinch theme to life but symbolizes the warmth and love that sweetens even the grumpiest hearts.
How to Serve Grinch Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies look fantastic on their own, but if you want to elevate the presentation, try dusting a little extra powdered sugar on top or piping small swirls of white chocolate around the edges. For a wintry wonderland vibe, crushed candy canes sprinkled nearby make a beautiful and tasty garnish.
Side Dishes
The cool mint flavor of the Grinch Cookies pairs wonderfully with warm drinks. Serve alongside hot cocoa topped with whipped cream or a spiced chai latte for a cozy treat. They also complement a holiday dessert tray featuring gingerbread or sugar cookies for a delightful mix of textures and tastes.
Creative Ways to Present
Why not turn these festive cookies into holiday gifts? Stack them in clear boxes tied with red and green ribbons, or place them in small organza bags with a cute Grinch-themed tag. For parties, arrange them on a decorative platter or use them as edible place cards by attaching name tags to toothpicks inserted gently into each cookie.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Grinch Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days, making them perfect to bake in advance for holiday celebrations or just to keep the festive spirit alive for a few days.
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies ahead of time or save some for later, freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls. Place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a resealable bag. When you’re ready, bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time. You can also freeze baked cookies by layering them between parchment paper in an airtight container.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked feeling, warm the cookies for about 10 seconds in the microwave or pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This revives their soft texture and enhances the minty aroma, making them taste just as good as the day they were baked.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of extract instead of peppermint?
Absolutely! While peppermint is traditional for this Grinch Cookies Recipe, you can experiment with vanilla, almond, or even lemon extract for a unique twist. Just remember that the mint flavor pairs best with the green theme.
Why do we use cornstarch in the cookie coating?
Cornstarch helps create a slight crisp outside while keeping the cookie soft and tender inside. It also works with powdered sugar to give a beautiful, crackled effect once baked.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, but you’ll need to use a gluten-free white cake mix as the base. Most other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always double-check to avoid any hidden gluten sources.
How intense should the green food coloring be?
Use about one teaspoon of gel coloring to get that bright Grinch hue, but you can always adjust a little if you want a deeper or lighter shade. Gel coloring works best as it doesn’t change the dough consistency.
Do the red heart sprinkles melt in the oven?
No, these sprinkles tend to hold their shape nicely but soften just a bit, adhering perfectly to the cookie surface right after baking without losing their form or color.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Grinch Cookies Recipe enough—it’s the perfect blend of playful, delicious, and easy to make. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or just to bring a smile on any day, these minty green treats will charm everyone who tries them. So, gather your ingredients and get ready for a joyful baking adventure that turns out cookies as lovable as the Grinch’s heart itself!
Print
Grinch Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Grinch Cookies are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies, featuring a vibrant green color, a refreshing hint of peppermint, and adorable red heart-shaped sprinkles. Perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime you want a fun and flavorful treat that captures the mischievous spirit of the Grinch.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix (e.g., Pillsbury)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon peppermint or mint extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring (about 1 teaspoon, adjust to preference)
Coating
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or tapioca starch/arrowroot powder)
Decoration
- Red heart-shaped sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, softened unsalted butter, eggs, peppermint or mint extract, vanilla extract, and green gel food coloring. Beat thoroughly until the mixture is smooth, evenly colored, and forms a soft dough.
- Mix the coating: In a separate small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. This mixture helps create a slightly crunchy outer coating on the cookies.
- Form the cookies: Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, shape the dough into approximately 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture to coat evenly.
- Add sprinkles: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart. Gently press a few red heart-shaped sprinkles onto the top of each cookie to decorate.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges just start to turn golden and the cookies have risen and cracked slightly on top.
- Cool: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on them for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- The green gel food coloring provides vivid color without altering the dough’s consistency—add more or less based on your preference for intensity.
- Room temperature eggs and butter help create a smooth, uniform dough.
- For a stronger peppermint flavor, try adding a few drops of peppermint oil in addition to the extract, but do so sparingly as it can be potent.
- Make sure to space cookies well on the baking sheet as they spread slightly while baking.
- These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
