Grinch Cookies Recipe

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If you’re searching for a fun and festive treat that bursts with color and joy, look no further than this delightful Grinch Cookies Recipe. These vibrant green cookies are not only irresistibly soft and flavorful but also bring a playful holiday spirit to your kitchen. With a simple vanilla cake mix base transformed by a pop of green food coloring and topped with a sweet red heart sprinkle, these cookies make holiday baking feel like pure magic. They’re perfectly chewy, just sweet enough, and so much fun to make with friends and family.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are refreshingly simple yet essential to create the perfect texture, color, and flavor of your Grinch Cookies Recipe. Each item plays a starring role, from the vanilla cake mix providing softness to the green food coloring bringing that iconic Grinch hue.

• Vanilla cake mix: The foundation for fluffy, tender cookies with a subtle vanilla flavor.
• Unsalted butter (⅓ cup, softened): Adds richness and helps achieve that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Vegetable oil (1 tablespoon): Keeps the cookies moist and soft.
• Eggs (2 large, room temperature): Bind everything together while adding a little lift.
• Powdered sugar (1/3 cup): Used in the coating to create a slightly crisp outer layer.
• Cornstarch (1/4 cup): Works with powdered sugar to keep the dough from sticking and to add tenderness.
• Green food coloring: Brings that unmistakable vibrant green color, essential to the Grinch look.
• Heart sprinkles or small red candies: Perfect festive accents symbolizing that the Grinch’s heart is growing three sizes!

How to Make Grinch Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350℉ and lining two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Having your baking surfaces ready early makes the entire process smoother and helps prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Powdered Sugar and Cornstarch

Whisk the powdered sugar and cornstarch together in a small bowl and set it aside. This combination will be essential for coating your cookie dough and giving those charming crinkled edges.

Step 3: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, blend the vanilla cake mix, softened butter, vegetable oil, and eggs using a handheld mixer until everything is fully incorporated. The batter will be thick and luscious, so don’t worry if it feels a bit dense at this stage.

Step 4: Add the Green Food Coloring

Stir in the green food coloring a little at a time until you reach the perfect Grinch green. This step is what transforms a classic cookie dough into a festive showstopper, so have fun adjusting the shade to your liking.

Step 5: Scoop and Coat the Dough Balls

Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, form dough balls about 1 ½ inches wide. Roll each ball gently in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture; they will be soft and delicate, so handle them with care. Arrange them spaced at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Step 6: Bake Until Just Right

Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through for even cooking. Look for the cookies to puff up and edges to feel firm to the touch – this is your cue that they’re done baking.

Step 7: Add the Final Festive Touch

Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a heart sprinkle or small red candy into each cookie, ideally nestled into one of the cracks. This helps the garnish stick perfectly and keeps the Grinch spirit alive.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. As they cool, they will gently deflate and flatten, which is exactly how they’re meant to be. Now you’re ready to serve up joy and deliciousness!

How to Serve Grinch Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

Beyond the signature red heart sprinkles, you can get creative with your garnishes. Try red M&Ms, Skittles, or even small candy canes broken into pieces to accentuate the festive look. A light dusting of powdered sugar before serving adds a snowy winter vibe that’s simply magical.

Side Dishes

Grinch Cookies pair wonderfully with classic holiday beverages like hot cocoa topped with whipped cream or a warm cup of spicy chai tea. For a brunch setting, offer alongside a colorful fruit salad or a creamy peppermint-flavored dip for a refreshing contrast to the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Presentation adds a special touch to your Grinch Cookies Recipe. Consider arranging cookies on a red or white platter, surrounded by green pine sprigs or holiday ornaments. You can also gift them in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons for a sweet homemade holiday gift that anyone would treasure.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Grinch Cookies remain soft and delicious when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Separating layers with parchment paper can prevent them from sticking together and keep the sprinkles intact.

Freezing

If you’d like to enjoy these cookies later, freezing is a great option. Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well up to 3 months without losing their delightful texture or color.

Reheating

To refresh frozen cookies, let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. For that just-baked warmth, pop them in a preheated 300℉ oven for 3–5 minutes. This will revive their softness and bring out that fresh-from-the-oven aroma everyone loves.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor for Grinch Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! While vanilla gives a classic base and lets the green stand out, feel free to experiment with yellow or white cake mixes. Just remember that stronger flavors might change the overall taste profile.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

Most boxed cake mixes contain gluten, so unless you purchase a gluten-free vanilla cake mix, these cookies will not be gluten-free. You can find gluten-free alternatives that work similarly if needed.

How do I get the perfect green color without over-flavoring?

Use gel or paste food coloring for the best vibrant color without altering the flavor. Add it gradually and mix thoroughly until you reach your desired shade without making the dough too liquid.

Why do the cookies deflate after baking?

These cookies puff up in the oven due to the leavening in the cake mix but naturally flatten as they cool. It’s normal and gives them their signature crinkly texture and soft chewiness.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough a day in advance and refrigerate it. Just bring it to room temperature before rolling and baking for the best results.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly heartwarming about baking and sharing these Grinch Cookies Recipe during the holiday season or any time you want to add a little whimsical cheer. Soft, colorful, and delightfully festive, these cookies are sure to become a treasured crowd-pleaser. So grab your mixing bowl, invite your favorite helpers to join in, and create a batch full of joy that tastes just as good as it looks!

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