If you’re looking for a fun and festive treat that will instantly brighten your holiday gatherings, this Grinch Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These soft, green cookies are bursting with vanilla flavor and a delightful tang from the powdered sugar and cornstarch coating, making each bite irresistibly chewy and sweet. Topped with a charming red candy heart, these cookies perfectly capture the playful spirit of the Grinch — and trust me, they’re just as much fun to make as they are to eat. Whether you’re baking with kids or treating your friends to a whimsical holiday snack, this Grinch Cookies Recipe will quickly become a yearly favorite you’ll cherish sharing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Grinch Cookies Recipe uses a handful of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together effortlessly but make all the difference in taste, texture, and that festive green color everyone loves. Each ingredient plays an essential role, from the soft cookies’ pillowy texture to the vibrant green hue and the sweet little heart-shaped toppers that add a pop of color and holiday cheer.
- Vanilla cake mix: The base of the dough, providing sweetness and a tender crumb.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and helps create a soft, chewy texture.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cookies moist and tender.
- Large eggs (room temperature): Bind everything together and add structure.
- Powdered sugar: Adds extra sweetness and works perfectly with cornstarch to coat the dough balls.
- Cornstarch: Creates that classic crinkle effect and soft, melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- Green food coloring: The magical touch that turns these cookies into Grinch-inspired goodies.
- Heart sprinkles or small red candies: The adorable finishing touch that brings personality and festivity to every cookie.
How to Make Grinch Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and helps your Grinch Cookies bake evenly with a beautiful, smooth bottom.
Step 2: Mix Powdered Sugar and Cornstarch
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. This mixture will coat the dough balls and give the cookies their signature crinkle appearance and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Set this aside for now.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add the vanilla cake mix, softened butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Using a handheld mixer, blend everything until it’s thoroughly combined. Then, stir in green food coloring a little at a time until you reach the perfect Grinch-green shade. Keep in mind the batter will be thick and dense — that’s exactly how it should be!
Step 4: Scoop and Coat the Dough
Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, form dough balls roughly 1 ½ inches in diameter. Gently roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture. This can get a little messy, but it’s all part of the fun. Place the coated dough balls on your prepared cookie sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between each so they can puff up without sticking together.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping the cookie sheets halfway through to ensure even cooking. You’ll know they’re ready when the cookies have puffed up and the edges feel firm to the touch. Don’t worry if they seem soft in the middle — they will set as they cool.
Step 6: Add the Finishing Touch
Right after they come out of the oven, place a heart sprinkle or a small red candy on each cookie while they are still warm. This allows the candy to stick beautifully, especially if you press it gently into one of the natural cracks on the cookie’s surface. It’s a simple step that elevates these treats from cute to utterly charming.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. As they cool, they’ll deflate slightly and flatten, which is totally normal and part of their irresistible chewy texture. Now they’re ready to enjoy — the perfect festive cookie for any Grinch fan!
How to Serve Grinch Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While the classic heart sprinkle is fantastic, you can mix things up by using mini red M&M’s, tiny Skittles, or even festive edible glitter for an extra sparkle. Adding a dusting of powdered sugar just before serving can also mimic the snowy holiday vibe, making these cookies even more photo-worthy.
Side Dishes
These Grinch Cookies shine on their own but pair incredibly well with a warm cup of hot cocoa or a minty green tea that complements their flavor. For an adult twist, consider serving alongside a peppermint-spiked coffee or a creamy eggnog to create a holiday-inspired spread everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
To really wow your guests, arrange the cookies in a festive shape on a serving platter — maybe a Christmas tree or the Grinch’s silhouette. Wrapping them individually in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons makes wonderful gifts or party favors. You could even stack them in a jar layered with powdered sugar to create a holiday cookie mix display.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any Grinch Cookies left over, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to five days, making them a perfect treat to enjoy throughout the holiday week without losing any of their charm or flavor.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked cookie dough balls by coating them in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture and placing them on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, no need to thaw — just increase the baking time slightly. Baked cookies also freeze well; just wrap them tightly to prevent freezer burn.
Reheating
To revive any cookies that have lost a bit of their fresh-baked softness, warm them in a low oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes or pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. They’ll come back soft, chewy, and just as delightful as when freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix flavor for this Grinch Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While vanilla provides a perfect base that lets the green color shine, you can experiment with yellow or white cake mixes for slight flavor variations. Just keep in mind that chocolate or other darker mixes might alter the classic Grinch color.
What if I don’t have green food coloring? Any alternatives?
If you don’t have traditional green food coloring, you can try natural alternatives like matcha powder or spinach juice for a more subtle green tint. Just note these may change the flavor slightly and won’t be as vibrant as regular food coloring.
Why do the cookies deflate after baking?
The deflating and flattening that happens as the cookies cool is completely normal for this recipe. The batter is thick and chewy, so the puffiness settles down, resulting in a deliciously soft, tender cookie with a beautiful crinkle finish.
Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?
With some adjustments, yes. You can try vegan butter substitutes and egg replacers, but results may vary since cake mixes are often not vegan by default. Experimentation is key, and using a vegan-friendly cake mix will definitely help.
How can I make these cookies less sweet?
If you prefer a less sugary cookie, reduce the powdered sugar in the coating slightly or use a cake mix with lower sugar content. Just remember that the coating is part of what gives these cookies their iconic crinkle and sweetness, so balance is important.
Final Thoughts
This Grinch Cookies Recipe brings so much joy to baking and eating that it’s sure to brighten your holidays season after season. They’re easy, fun, and irresistibly festive — plus, I can’t think of a better way to add a smile to your celebration. Give it a try and watch how quickly these cheeky green cookies become one of your new holiday classics!
Print
Grinch Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Grinch Cookies are a fun and easy holiday treat made with vanilla cake mix and vibrant green food coloring. Soft, chewy, and coated in a sweet powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture, each cookie is topped with a heart-shaped sprinkle or red candy to capture the whimsical spirit of the Grinch. Perfect for Christmas parties and family gatherings, these cookies bake quickly and deliver a delightful burst of sweetness with every bite.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- â…“ cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- Green food coloring, to desired shade
Coating
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Topping
- Heart sprinkles or small red candies (such as M&M’s or Skittles)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350℉. Line two cookie sheets or sheet pans with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix coating: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. Set this mixture aside; it will be used to coat the cookie dough balls before baking.
- Make the cookie dough: In a large bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, softened butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Use a handheld mixer to blend until the ingredients are well combined and form a thick batter. Add green food coloring gradually until you achieve your desired shade of green.
- Form and coat dough balls: Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, scoop dough balls approximately 1½ inches in diameter. Roll each ball gently in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture, coating them thoroughly. Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the cookie sheets halfway through baking. The cookies are ready when they puff up and the edges feel firm to the touch.
- Add toppings: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a heart sprinkle or small round red candy into the center of each cookie, gently pressing so it will stick. Position the sprinkle in a crack for better adhesion.
- Cool and serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Note that the cookies will deflate and flatten as they cool, which is normal. Once cooled, serve and enjoy your festive Grinch Cookies!
Notes
- For best results, ensure eggs and butter are at room temperature before mixing for better consistency.
- The cookie dough will be very thick and soft; handle gently when rolling in the powdered sugar mixture.
- If you don’t have heart sprinkles, small round red candies like M&M’s or Skittles work perfectly as a festive alternative.
- Cookies will flatten as they cool, so do not be alarmed if they lose some height after baking.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
