Name: Grinch Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box vanilla cake mix (15.25 ounces); 1/3 cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 1/2 teaspoon mint or almond extract (optional); Green gel food coloring; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; Red heart sprinkles

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Bring a playful pop of color and a dash of holiday cheer to your kitchen with these Grinch Cookies! Soft, fluffy, and sweet with just the right touch of mint or almond, these cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat. Vibrant green and topped with a signature red heart, they’re guaranteed to steal the spotlight at any festive gathering or cookie exchange. Whether you’re baking for family movie night or prepping gifts for friends, Grinch Cookies are a joyful, crowd-pleasing treat you’ll want to make all season long.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’re in for a treat with this short and sweet ingredient list! Each item brings its own touch — from a perfectly chewy texture, to that unmistakable green hue, right down to the heartwarming finish on top. Simple, yes, but absolutely essential for delicious, eye-catching Grinch Cookies!

Vanilla cake mix (1 box, 15.25 ounces): The base that keeps things ultra-easy while delivering super soft, flavorful cookies every time.
Vegetable oil (1/3 cup): Adds moisture for that melt-in-your-mouth bite.
Large eggs (2): Bind everything together and create light, tender cookies.
Mint or almond extract (1/2 teaspoon, optional): A dash of festive flavor — try mint for a classic holiday twist, or almond for a sweet nuttiness.
Green gel food coloring: To achieve the iconic Grinchy shade, gel delivers bold color without thinning your dough.
Powdered sugar (1/2 cup, for rolling): Gives each cookie its signature crinkled finish and a snowy holiday touch.
Red heart sprinkles (for decoration): The finishing touch — one lovable heart for each cookie, bringing the Grinch’s story to life!

How to Make Grinch Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Tools

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to make sure your Grinch Cookies bake evenly and won’t stick when you take them off. This small prep step saves cleanup time and ensures flawless, picture-perfect cookies every time.

Step 2: Mix Up the Dough

In a large bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and your choice of extract if you’re adding a burst of flavor. Stir everything together until you have a soft, uniform dough. Don’t worry if it looks sticky at first — that’s exactly what you want for extra tender cookies!

Step 3: Get That Grinchy Green Color

Add green gel food coloring a few drops at a time directly into your dough. Gently mix after each addition until you reach that classic, vibrant Grinch green. Go slow, as it’s easy to add a bit more, but tough to go back. The goal: cookies bright enough to make everyone smile!

Step 4: Scoop and Roll

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each one into a smooth ball with your hands. Drop each dough ball into a bowl of powdered sugar and roll to generously coat all sides. This is where the fun (and a little mess) happens — kids love helping with this part!

Step 5: Decorate and Bake

Place your dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Gently press a single red heart sprinkle right in the center of each ball — don’t skip this adorable finishing touch! Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers are soft and puffy.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Let your Grinch Cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes so they can set up without breaking. Then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. Once they’re ready, marvel at your batch of festive, heart-filled cookies before sharing (or sneaking a few for yourself).

How to Serve Grinch Cookies

Garnishes

While the classic red heart gives each cookie plenty of charm, you can go the extra mile! Try a light dusting of extra powdered sugar for a frosty, magical look or scatter a few edible glitter sprinkles for sparkling holiday magic on your Grinch Cookies.

Side Dishes

Nothing brings out the holiday spirit quite like serving Grinch Cookies with mugs of hot cocoa, creamy eggnog, or a big pitcher of cold milk. For an extra-festive spread, include bowls of fresh berries or a mix of other colorful Christmas cookies.

Creative Ways to Present

Pile your Grinch Cookies on a bright red or emerald green platter for eye-catching contrast, or box them up in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbon for adorable edible gifts. They also look fantastic stacked in a clear cookie jar — perfect for a movie night treat bar or festive dessert table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Grinch Cookies stay yummy and soft for up to 5 days when kept in an airtight container at room temperature. Separate layers with parchment paper if you’re stacking them, to keep the hearts intact and prevent sticking.

Freezing

For long-term storage, you can freeze the baked cookies or unbaked dough balls. Layer cookies between parchment in a freezer-safe container, or freeze the coated dough balls (without sprinkles), then add the heart decorations just before baking. Both ways give you easy access to festive sweetness whenever you crave it!

Reheating

To enjoy Grinch Cookies warm from the oven, simply pop them in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes or give them a 10-second zap in the microwave. They’ll taste as fresh and soft as the day you baked them!

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Absolutely! While vanilla creates the best base for Grinch Cookies’ bold green color, a white cake mix also works beautifully. Just note that chocolate or spice flavors will change both color and taste.

Is gel food coloring necessary?

Gel food coloring really is your best bet for getting that vibrant green without watering down the dough. Liquid coloring just can’t compare, but if you’re in a pinch, use it sparingly and expect a softer hue.

Can I make Grinch Cookies gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute your favorite gluten-free vanilla cake mix and check all labels for gluten content. Your cookies may spread a little more, but they’ll still be bright, soft, and delightful.

Can I double the recipe?

No problem. Just double all the ingredients and mix your dough in a large bowl. Bake in batches so you don’t crowd the cookies and ensure each Grinch Cookie bakes up fluffy and perfect.

Can I add chocolate chips or nuts?

If you want a little extra texture or a surprise flavor, fold in a half cup of mini white chocolate chips or toasted chopped nuts after you mix in the food coloring. Don’t forget to make room on top for the red heart!

Final Thoughts

With their merry green color and sweet heart toppers, Grinch Cookies are pure holiday magic in every bite. Gather your loved ones, whip up a batch, and make some happy memories along the way — I can’t wait for you to feel the joy that these cookies always bring to my kitchen!

Grinch Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Grinch Cookies are a festive and fun treat perfect for the holiday season. With a vibrant green color and a hint of mint or almond flavor, these cookies are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. Easy to make and delicious to eat!

Ingredients

Scale

Cookies:

1 box vanilla cake mix (15.25 ounces)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon mint or almond extract (optional)
Green gel food coloring

Decoration:

1/2 cup powdered sugar
Red heart sprinkles

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix the dough: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, oil, eggs, and extract if using. Mix until a soft dough forms. Add green gel food coloring to reach a vibrant green color.
Shape the cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, coat with powdered sugar, and place on the baking sheet. Press a red heart sprinkle onto each cookie.
Bake: Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are set but centers are still soft. Cool before serving.