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
Scale
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.
