There is nothing quite as festive and fun as whipping up a batch of these cheerful, bright green delights, which is why the Grinch Cookies Recipe has become such a beloved treat around the holidays. These cookies boast a tender, cake-like texture infused with refreshing peppermint and a pop of vanilla, while their vibrant green color and heart-shaped red sprinkles add the perfect whimsical touch. Every bite is like a little festive celebration that’s both playful and delicious – truly capturing the holiday spirit through a cookie you’ll want to share with everyone you love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for this Grinch Cookies Recipe is a breeze, and each one plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and festive color. From the soft, buttery cake base to the minty extracts and vibrant green food coloring, every component contributes something special to these holiday favorites.
- White cake mix: The foundation for these cookies, providing a soft, tender crumb that bakes up nicely.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture for a melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and give structure.
- Peppermint extract: Brings a refreshing holiday flavor that wakes up your taste buds.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances overall sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Green gel food coloring: Gives the cookies their festive and unmistakable Grinch-green hue.
- Powdered sugar: Used to coat the dough balls, adding a light sweetness and preventing sticking.
- Cornstarch: Helps keep the powdered sugar coating from clumping and ensures a delicate finish.
- Red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts: The perfect pop of festive red that crowns each cookie with love and holiday cheer.
How to Make Grinch Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
The first step in crafting these festive treats is setting your oven to 375°F. Preparing your workspace ahead of time with a lined baking sheet ensures a smooth baking experience and prevents sticking, making cleanup easier and keeping your cookies perfect.
Step 2: Mix the Base Ingredients
Using either a hand-held mixer or stand mixer, combine the white cake mix, softened unsalted butter, and eggs. Mixing these until well incorporated creates a thick, luscious dough that is the perfect base for your Grinch Cookies Recipe. This step builds the structure your cookies need while keeping them soft and tender.
Step 3: Add the Flavor Extracts and Color
Next, mix in the peppermint (or mint) and vanilla extracts to infuse the dough with fresh, festive flavors. Then carefully add green gel food coloring until the dough reaches that iconic holiday shade. The dough will be thick and sticky, so don’t worry if it feels a little tough to handle – that’s exactly what you want for these biscuit-like treats.
Step 4: Prepare the Powdered Sugar Coating
Whisk together powdered sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. This mixture will envelope your cookie dough balls, preventing stickiness and adding a sweet, delicate outer layer once baked.
Step 5: Scoop and Coat the Dough
Scoop about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie, then roll each ball in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mix. This coating not only helps shape the cookies but gives them a subtle hint of sweetness and a slightly crackled exterior after baking. Arrange them at least one inch apart on the baking sheet, ready for the oven.
Step 6: Bake Until Perfect
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges set and the tops no longer look wet. The smell of peppermint and vanilla wafting through your kitchen at this stage sets the perfect holiday mood, making it hard to wait for the first bite!
Step 7: Add the Festive Heart
As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, press a red heart-shaped sprinkle gently into the center of each cookie. This final touch adds color contrast and a burst of festive joy, turning your batch into an adorable tribute to the Grinch himself.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for about five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time helps them set perfectly so each bite is tender, flavorful, and just a bit chewy.
How to Serve Grinch Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
You can elevate the presentation of your Grinch Cookies Recipe by pairing each cookie with a sprinkle of extra powdered sugar or a small drizzle of melted white chocolate. These little garnishes add elegance and a sweet finishing touch that complements the minty flavor beautifully.
Side Dishes
These joyful cookies pair beautifully with hot drinks like a cozy cup of peppermint hot chocolate or a warm mug of spiced tea. The warmth of these beverages perfectly balances the cool mint inside the cookie, creating a comforting and festive treat time experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties or gifts, arrange your Grinch Cookies Recipe on a festive platter with sprigs of fresh holly or pine needles to bring an extra touch of holiday spirit. Wrapping them in a clear bag tied with a red or green ribbon transforms these treats into charming edible gifts your loved ones will treasure.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep leftover Grinch Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This keeps them soft and flavorful, making them easy to enjoy whenever you need a little holiday pick-me-up.
Freezing
If you want to save these cookies for later festivities, flash freeze the dough balls on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When baked directly from the freezer, add a couple of minutes to the baking time for fresh, festive cookies anytime you crave them.
Reheating
To bring your stored or frozen Grinch Cookies back to life, warm them briefly in a 300°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes. This refreshes their soft texture and releases those wonderful minty aromas, as if they were freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use a different extract instead of peppermint?
Absolutely! While peppermint extract gives these cookies their signature holiday zing, you can try mint or even vanilla extract for a milder flavor. Just remember that peppermint is key if you want that classic Grinch Cookie taste.
What if I don’t have green gel food coloring?
Green gel food coloring provides the vibrant color that makes these cookies so fun, but you can substitute with liquid food coloring, though you may need more to get the same intensity. Natural alternatives like spinach powder can add color but may subtly affect flavor.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free white cake mix that is designed for baking. This swap keeps the texture light and tender while accommodating gluten sensitivities.
Why do I need cornstarch in the powdered sugar coating?
Cornstarch helps prevent the powdered sugar from clumping and creates a smoother, more even coating on the dough balls. It also contributes to the slight crackled look on the finished cookies.
How do I store these cookies to keep them soft?
Store your Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding a slice of bread inside the container can help maintain moisture and prevent the cookies from drying out.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about making the Grinch Cookies Recipe that brings out the best in holiday cheer, flavor, and joy. From their playful green color to the refreshing peppermint notes and the cozy kitchen aromas, these cookies invite fun and warmth into your celebrations. I encourage you to give this recipe a try – your friends and family will thank you for adding such a bright, tasty tradition to your holiday table.
Print
Grinch Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 30 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate the holiday season with these festive Grinch Cookies, featuring a vibrant green cake mix base infused with peppermint and vanilla extracts. Soft, chewy, and adorned with a red heart sprinkle, these cookies bring a fun and flavorful twist perfect for Christmas gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix (432 g box)
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract (or mint extract)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring (amount to achieve desired color)
For Coating and Decoration
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (32 g)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- Red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside to prepare for baking.
- Mix Base Ingredients: Using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer, combine the white cake mix, softened unsalted butter, and room temperature eggs. Mix until the ingredients are well incorporated and form a thick dough.
- Add Extracts and Color: Add the peppermint or mint extract, vanilla extract, and green gel food coloring in small increments. Mix on low speed just until the color and flavors are evenly combined. The dough should be thick and sticky.
- Prepare Powdered Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch to create a coating mixture for the dough balls.
- Scoop and Coat Dough: Use a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough. Roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture to coat completely. Because the dough is sticky, ensure each ball is well coated.
- Arrange Dough on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow space for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set and the tops appear dry but not browned.
- Add Decorative Hearts: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press a red heart-shaped sprinkle onto the center of each cookie so it adheres.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for the best vibrant green without altering dough consistency.
- Room temperature eggs help to better incorporate into the dough for even texture.
- Chilling the dough before scooping is not necessary but can help with handling.
- If peppermint extract is too strong, reduce the amount or substitute with mint extract for a milder flavor.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Make sure to gently press the heart sprinkles immediately after baking so they stick well and don’t fall off after cooling.
