Grinch Cookies Recipe

If there’s a single recipe that’s sure to light up your holiday dessert table with playful color and nostalgia, it’s Grinch Cookies. Inspired by the classic story, these soft, crinkly treats turn cake mix into a batch of brilliantly green cookies with a signature heart—perfect for sharing, gifting, or sneaking straight off the cooling rack. Not only do they look impossibly cute, but they’re quick to make and even easier to fall in love with—no baking expertise required!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making Grinch Cookies truly couldn’t be more effortless, thanks to a handful of all-star ingredients that work together for sweet flavor, festive color, and the iconic crinkle effect. Each one is essential for bringing out just the right taste, texture, and whimsy in every bite.

• Vanilla cake mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): The secret shortcut to soft, cakey cookies and that classic sweet vanilla base.
• Unsalted butter (½ cup, softened): Adds rich flavor and keeps the cookies tender—make sure it’s nice and soft!
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Elevates the cake mix for a homemade, fragrant touch in every cookie.
• Large eggs (2): The key to binding everything together and giving your cookies their pillowy texture.
• Green gel food coloring: Use gel for a vibrant, Grinch-worthy green that won’t water down your dough.
• Powdered sugar (½ cup, for rolling): Coats each ball of dough to create that beautiful crinkle on top.
• Red heart sprinkles: The sweet finishing touch—each cookie gets its own loving heart right in the center.

How to Make Grinch Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Sheet and Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s perfectly hot when you’re ready to bake. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make clean-up a breeze. This will also help those gorgeous green cookies keep their shape while baking.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough

In a big mixing bowl, combine your vanilla cake mix, softened butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix everything together until you get a soft, uniform dough—the butter should disappear completely, and the dough will look thick and glossy.

Step 3: Color the Dough Grinch Green

Add the green gel food coloring a few drops at a time, stirring until the dough becomes a vivid, Grinchy green. Start slow—you can always add a little more, but you want that perfect cartoonish color without going overboard. Trust your eyes and stop when you reach that iconic shade!

Step 4: Shape and Roll the Dough Balls

Scoop the dough into 1-tablespoon portions (a cookie scoop makes this super easy) and gently roll each into a ball. Drop each dough ball into a bowl of powdered sugar and roll until it’s generously coated—all that sugar helps make the distinctive crinkle pattern as the cookies bake.

Step 5: Decorate With Red Heart Sprinkles

Place each coated dough ball onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently press a red heart sprinkle right in the center of each one—this little detail turns a green cookie into a Grinch Cookie, complete with a heart “three sizes too small.”

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, just until the edges are set and the tops look crinkled and soft. Don’t over-bake—Grinch Cookies are best when they’re soft and almost cake-like in the middle. Let them cool for 5 minutes on the pan, then carefully move them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

How to Serve Grinch Cookies

Garnishes

For extra sparkle, you can dust the finished cookies with a touch more powdered sugar just before serving. If you’re feeling playful, add another red heart or a few festive sprinkles alongside the heart for a fun, over-the-top look.

Side Dishes

Grinch Cookies are irresistible with a big mug of hot cocoa, a glass of cold milk, or even paired with creamy eggnog. They also work beautifully on a dessert platter alongside other holiday classics like gingerbread men or peppermint bark.

Creative Ways to Present

Wrap stacks of Grinch Cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons for sweet gifts, or set them out on a bright serving tray with a little sign referencing the Grinch story. For parties, try arranging the cookies in the shape of a Christmas tree with extra red heart candies sprinkled around for even more festive charm!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover Grinch Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for about 3 to 4 days, making them perfect for make-ahead holiday planning or sneaky late-night snacking.

Freezing

Grinch Cookies freeze wonderfully! You can freeze the baked cookies (just let them cool fully first) in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. To freeze unbaked dough, shape and sugar the dough balls, then freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a bag for storage—bake directly from frozen, just add a minute or two to the bake time.

Reheating

If you love a warm cookie, simply pop leftover cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds to revive their soft, fresh-from-the-oven texture. If you’re reheating from frozen, let the cookies thaw at room temperature and then warm briefly before serving.

FAQs

Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?

Gel food coloring is highly recommended because it gives you that vivid Grinch green without thinning your dough, but liquid coloring can be used in a pinch—just add it very gradually and mix well to avoid overly sticky dough.

What if I can’t find red heart sprinkles for Grinch Cookies?

No worries! You can use small heart-shaped candies or even pipe tiny hearts with red icing. Anything that gives your cookies that heartwarming finishing touch will work.

Can I make Grinch Cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply swap in your favorite gluten-free vanilla cake mix. Check all your mix-ins and toppings to make sure they’re gluten-free as well, and you’ll have a perfect batch.

Why are my Grinch Cookies not crinkly on top?

If the dough wasn’t cold or you didn’t coat the cookies with enough powdered sugar, the crinkles may not show up as beautifully. Rolling the dough balls in a thick, even layer of powdered sugar helps ensure that classic look.

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?

Yes, you can easily double (or even triple) the recipe! Just make sure you have extra baking sheets and plenty of heart sprinkles so every cookie is perfectly festive.

Final Thoughts

These Grinch Cookies are guaranteed to bring cheer to any holiday moment—whether you’re baking with kids, sharing with friends, or treating yourself to a little Christmas magic. Pour yourself a cup of cocoa, put on your favorite holiday tunes, and let these playful, heart-filled cookies add a dash of fun to your festivities!

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