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Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with these delightful Grinch Cookies! This recipe transforms a simple cake mix into vibrant, festive treats that are perfect for any holiday gathering. You’ll love how easy they are to make, bringing a touch of whimsy and a delicious minty flavor to your Christmas baking. Let’s get started on this fun, beginner-friendly journey!
Why You’ll Love These Grinch Christmas Cookies
You’ll adore baking these charming Grinch Christmas cookies for so many reasons.
- Quick and Simple: Utilizing a cake mix makes this recipe incredibly fast and straightforward, perfect for busy schedules.
- Visually Stunning: Their vibrant green color and little red hearts instantly evoke the holiday spirit.
- Perfect for Gatherings: These eye-catching cookies are always a hit at parties, potlucks, and cookie exchanges.
- Kid-Friendly Activity: Involve the little ones in scooping, rolling, and decorating for a memorable baking experience.
- Delicious Flavor: The refreshing peppermint extract gives these treats a festive and irresistible taste.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your festive Grinch cookies:
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix (1 box, 432 g)
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract (or mint extract)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (32 g)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- Red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts
Notes & Substitutions
You can use any brand of white cake mix for this recipe; just ensure it’s a standard size. Make sure your butter is truly softened, not melted, for the best dough consistency. Room temperature eggs combine more easily with the other ingredients, preventing a lumpy batter.
Peppermint extract provides a classic holiday flavor, but you can use mint extract for a milder taste in your Grinch Christmas cookies. Gel food coloring is highly recommended over liquid, as it creates a much more vibrant green without altering dough consistency. If you don’t have heart sprinkles, small red cinnamon candies or even mini M&Ms can work in a pinch.
Equipment
Having the right tools makes baking these Grinch cookies a breeze.
- Large mixing bowls
- Hand-held mixer or stand mixer
- 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop
- Large baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Small bowl
- Whisk
- Wire cooling rack
Instructions
Follow these easy steps to bake your perfect Grinch Cookies:
- Preheat Oven & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand-held mixer or stand mixer to combine the cake mix, softened butter, and room temperature eggs until they are well incorporated.
- Add Flavor & Color: Mix in the peppermint (or mint) and vanilla extracts. Add green gel food coloring gradually until you achieve your desired vibrant green hue. Mix on low speed just until combined; the batter will be thick and sticky.
- Prepare Sugar Coating: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch until fully combined. This mixture will give your cookies their signature crinkled appearance.
- Scoop & Roll Dough: Use a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough. Roll each cookie dough ball thoroughly in the powdered sugar mixture, ensuring a generous coating. The dough is sticky, so a good coating is key.
- Arrange on Sheet: Place the coated cookie dough balls about 1 inch apart on your prepared baking sheet. This spacing allows for proper spreading without merging.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly set and the tops of the cookies appear dry and slightly cracked. Avoid overbaking.
- Add Heart Sprinkles: Immediately remove the cookies from the oven. Gently place a red heart-shaped sprinkle onto the center of each warm cookie, pressing it down lightly so it adheres securely.
- Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your festive Grinch Christmas cookies!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieving perfect Grinch Cookies is simple with a few helpful pointers. Avoid overmixing the dough once the flour is incorporated, as this can lead to tougher cookies. For the most intense and authentic Grinch green, always opt for gel food coloring; it delivers superior color saturation compared to liquid drops.
Gel food coloring is highly recommended for its ability to produce more vivid and true colors compared to liquid food coloring.
If your dough feels too sticky to roll easily, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes. This helps firm it up. Never overbake these cookies; pull them from the oven when the edges are just set to ensure a soft, chewy interior. To prevent cookies from spreading too much, make sure your butter isn’t too warm or melted. For perfectly round cookies, roll the dough into a smooth ball before coating.
Serving, Storage & Variations
These delightful Grinch Cookies are incredibly versatile for any holiday occasion.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Grinch cookies warm from the oven or at room temperature. They pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a mug of hot chocolate, or even a festive holiday punch. Arrange them on a decorative platter alongside other Christmas treats for an eye-catching display.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover baked Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature before serving.
Variations
Experiment with different extracts like almond or orange for unique flavor profiles. You can also add other festive sprinkles or edible glitter for extra sparkle. Try using a lemon or funfetti cake mix base for different flavors and colors. To make them gluten-free friendly, simply substitute with a gluten-free white cake mix blend.
Nutrition Information
Please note that this nutrition information is an estimate based on the ingredients used in these Grinch Cookies and may vary depending on specific brands and modifications. It is provided for informational purposes only.
| Calories | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approx. 130 | 6 | 18 | 1 |
Making these cookies at home allows you to enjoy a homemade treat with clear ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why are my Grinch cookies flat?
A: Flat cookies often result from butter that is too soft or melted, or from overmixing the dough. Ensure your butter is softened but still firm, and mix just until combined.
Q: Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the dough for these Grinch Cookies up to 2 days in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator, then let it come to room temperature slightly before scooping and rolling.
Q: What’s the best green food coloring for these cookies?
A: Gel food coloring is highly recommended. It provides a vibrant, intense green color without adding excess liquid to the dough, unlike liquid food colorings.
Q: Why are they called Grinch cookies?
A: They are named Grinch cookies because their vibrant green color and single red heart resemble the Grinch character from Dr. Seuss’s classic Christmas story.
Q: How many cookies does this recipe make?
A: This recipe typically yields about 30 delicious cookies, perfect for sharing during the holiday season.
Conclusion
These delightful Grinch Cookies offer a wonderfully easy and incredibly festive way to celebrate the holiday season. With their vibrant green hue, adorable red hearts, and simple cake mix base, they are truly a joy to bake and share. You’ll love the quick preparation and the impressive results, making them a go-to for busy parents and beginner bakers alike. We hope you enjoy making these cheerful treats! Please share your baking experiences in the comments below. Happy baking!
Grinch Christmas Cookie Recipe: Easy, Festive & Fun
Equipment
- large mixing bowls
- hand-held or stand mixer
- 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop
- large baking sheets
- parchment paper
- small bowl
- whisk
- wire cooling rack
Ingredients
- 15.25 oz white cake mix (432 g box)
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp peppermint extract or mint extract
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
- green gel food coloring
- 0.25 cup powdered sugar (32 g)
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, softened butter, and eggs using a hand or stand mixer until smooth and thick.
- Add peppermint and vanilla extracts. Then add green gel food coloring a few drops at a time until the desired color is reached. Mix just until combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and cornstarch until well blended.
- Scoop 1.5 tablespoon portions of dough, roll into balls, then coat thoroughly in the sugar-cornstarch mixture.
- Place coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are just set and tops look dry and cracked.
- Remove from oven and gently press a red heart sprinkle into each cookie while still warm.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
