Description
These festive Grinch Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with holiday spirit! Made with vanilla cake mix and vibrant green food coloring, these fun treats are rolled in a powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture for a delicate coating. Topped with heart-shaped sprinkles or red candies, they make a perfect sweet snack for holiday parties or a playful Christmas dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Wet Ingredients and Others
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- Green food coloring, to desired intensity
- Heart sprinkles, or small red sprinkle candies like M&M’s or Skittles
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pans: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃). Line two cookie sheets or baking trays with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix powdered sugar and cornstarch: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch until fully combined. Set this aside—this mixture will be used to coat the cookie dough balls.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: In a large bowl, add the vanilla cake mix, softened unsalted butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Use a handheld mixer to blend everything thoroughly until a thick dough forms. Add green food coloring gradually until you reach your desired shade of green.
- Shape and coat dough balls: Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, form dough balls approximately 1½ inches in diameter. Roll each ball gently in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture so they are evenly coated, then place them spaced at least 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake the cookies: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the cookie sheets halfway through to promote even cooking. The cookies are done when they puff up and the edges become firm to the touch.
- Add sprinkle toppings: Remove the cookies from the oven. Immediately press a heart sprinkle or a small red candy into each cookie, ideally in one of the cracks so it adheres well.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Note that the cookies will deflate and flatten as they cool, which is normal. Serve and enjoy your adorable Grinch-themed treats!
Notes
- Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature to ensure the dough blends smoothly and evenly.
- The dough will be thick and soft, so handle gently when rolling in the powdered sugar mixture.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent cookies from sticking and to promote even baking.
- The cookies will flatten after baking, so space them adequately on the tray.
- Heart sprinkles can be substituted with any small red candy you prefer, like M&Ms or Skittles.
- Storing cookies in an airtight container will keep them fresh for up to 3 days.
