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
Scale
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.
