Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with this delightful Grinch Christmas cookie recipe! These vibrant green cookies, complete with a little red heart, capture the whimsical spirit of everyone’s favorite green character. You’ll love how simple they are to make, starting with a convenient cake mix base. Even beginner bakers can achieve perfect results with these fun and festive treats.
Why You’ll Love This Grinch Christmas Cookie Recipe
You’ll adore making this fun Grinch-themed dessert for so many great reasons!
- Super Easy: This simple Grinch Christmas cookie recipe is perfect for beginners and busy parents alike.
- Cake Mix Shortcut: A convenient boxed cake mix makes preparation incredibly quick.
- Whimsical & Festive: Their bright green color and iconic red heart are instantly recognizable.
- Soft & Chewy: Enjoy a perfectly soft, tender, and chewy texture with every bite.
- Fun for Kids: Involve little helpers in decorating and making these holiday treats.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your festive Grinch Christmas cookie recipe. Most items are probably already in your pantry!
- Dry Ingredients:
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix (1 box, approximately 432g)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (32g)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- Wet Ingredients:
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring (several drops, to taste)
- Decoration:
- Red heart-shaped sprinkles
Notes & Substitutions
Any brand of white cake mix works well for this recipe. Ensure your butter is properly softened; this helps it cream smoothly with the eggs. Using room temperature eggs, as suggested by many baking experts, allows them to emulsify better and create a more uniform batter, contributing to the cookie’s texture and rise. Learn more about the importance of room temperature eggs in baking. If you don’t have peppermint extract, mint extract is a suitable substitute for a similar flavor profile. Gel food coloring provides the most vibrant green color for that iconic Grinch shade. For the hearts, classic red heart sprinkles are best, but you can also use cinnamon hearts if you prefer. To make these gluten-free white cake mix, simply use a gluten-free white cake mix.
Equipment
You won’t need many specialized tools for this easy Grinch Christmas cookie recipe. These common kitchen items will do the trick:
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Handheld or stand mixer
- Medium mixing bowl
- Small bowl
- Rubber spatula
- Cookie scoop (1.5 tablespoon size)
- Wire cooling rack
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your delightful Grinch Christmas cookie recipe. These instructions are designed for beginners to ensure success.
- Prep Oven & Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, use a handheld or stand mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter and large eggs. Mixing butter and sugar until light and fluffy, often referred to as the “creaming method,” incorporates air that helps leaven baked goods, resulting in a lighter, more tender cookie. Explore the science behind the creaming method in baking. Mix until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the entire box of white cake mix to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the ingredients are just combined. Avoid overmixing the dough.
- Flavor & Color Dough: Stir in the peppermint extract and vanilla extract. Add several drops of green gel food coloring. Continue mixing on low speed until the color is evenly distributed and you achieve your desired vibrant Grinch green shade. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
- Prepare Sugar Coating: In a small, separate bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. This mixture will create a lovely crackled finish on your cookies. Set this bowl aside.
- Form & Coat Cookies: Use a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough. Roll each scoop into a smooth ball. Drop each cookie dough ball into the powdered sugar mixture and roll it around until fully coated.
- Bake Cookies: Place the coated cookie dough balls about 1 inch apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly set and the tops appear dry. Do not overbake.
- Add Hearts & Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven. Immediately and gently press one red heart-shaped sprinkle onto the center of each warm cookie. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
These tips ensure your Grinch Christmas cookie recipe turns out perfectly every time.
- Sticky Dough: If your dough becomes too sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. This makes it easier to roll.
- Vibrant Color: Always use gel food coloring for the brightest, most consistent green color. Liquid food coloring can dilute the dough.
- Even Coating: Roll each dough ball thoroughly in the powdered sugar mixture. This creates that characteristic crackled cookie appearance.
- Perfectly Round: For perfectly round cookies, gently reshape them with your hands after rolling them in sugar and before placing them on the baking sheet.
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaking leads to dry, crumbly cookies. Remove them when the edges are just set and the tops look dry. They will firm up as they cool.
- Heart Placement: Add the heart sprinkles immediately after baking while the cookies are still warm and pliable. This ensures they stick well.
Common Mistakes
- Overmixing the dough: Overmixing develops too much gluten, resulting in tough cookies. Mix only until just combined.
- Not chilling sticky dough: Working with overly sticky dough can be frustrating. A quick chill solves this.
- Overbaking cookies: This is the most common mistake. Watch for the visual cues of set edges and dry tops, then pull them out.
- Adding heart sprinkles too late: Once the cookies cool, the sprinkles won’t adhere properly.
Serving, Storage & Variations
These fun green cookies are perfect for any holiday gathering!
Serving Suggestions
Serve your delightful Grinch Christmas cookie recipe on a festive holiday platter alongside other seasonal treats. They pair wonderfully with a warm mug of hot cocoa, a glass of cold milk, or even a cup of coffee. These cookies are also a fantastic addition to any holiday cookie exchange or bake sale.
Storage
Store baked Grinch Christmas cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5-7 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Variations
Get creative with your cookies! Try using lemon extract instead of peppermint for a different bright flavor. Stir in a half cup of white chocolate chips for extra sweetness and texture. Experiment with different festive holiday sprinkles if you don’t have heart shapes on hand. You can also try other cake mix flavors like red velvet or chocolate for a unique twist.
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information provided below is an estimate. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredient brands, preparation methods, and serving sizes. This information is for general guidance only.
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Total Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Cholesterol | 25mg |
| Sodium | 120mg |
| Total Carbs | 20g |
| Sugars | 14g |
| Protein | 2g |
FAQ
- Can I make these Grinch cookies ahead of time?
- Yes, you can prepare the dough a day or two in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
- Can I freeze Grinch Christmas cookies?
- Absolutely! Freeze baked and cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature.
- What if I don’t have peppermint extract?
- Mint extract makes an excellent substitute if you don’t have peppermint. You can also use almond extract for a different flavor.
- Why are my Grinch cookies flat?
- Flat cookies often result from butter that is too soft or melted, or from dough that is too warm. Chill the dough if it feels overly soft before baking.
- Can kids help make these cookies?
- Yes, this grinch christmas cookie recipe is very kid-friendly! Children can help measure, mix, roll the dough in sugar, and place the heart sprinkles.
- What kind of food coloring is best?
- Gel food coloring is highly recommended for achieving a vibrant, intense green color without adding excess liquid to the dough.
Conclusion
This easy Grinch Christmas cookie recipe offers a fantastic way to bring holiday magic into your kitchen. With its simple cake mix base and beginner-friendly steps, you’ll create a batch of delightfully soft, chewy, and festive cookies in no time. Share these whimsical treats with family and friends, or enjoy them as a special moment of holiday baking. Happy baking, and may your heart grow three sizes this season!
Easy Grinch Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and eggs until light and fluffy, about 1–2 minutes.
- Add cake mix to the wet mixture and mix on low until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Stir in peppermint and vanilla extracts. Add green gel food coloring and mix until the color is evenly distributed.
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and cornstarch to create the sugar coating.
- Scoop 1.5 tablespoons of dough, roll into a ball, then coat each in the powdered sugar mixture.
- Place dough balls 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set.
- Immediately press one red heart sprinkle into the center of each warm cookie. Cool on baking sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
Notes
Taya Bennett is the founder of YumEasyMeals, a platform dedicated to easy, delicious, and quick-to-prepare recipes for busy families. Passionate about everyday cooking, she simplifies meals with practical, accessible, and always delicious ideas.
Discover her creations at: yumeasymeals.com
