Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with these delightful Easy Grinch Cookies! These festive green treats are an absolute joy to bake, bringing a touch of Whoville magic to your kitchen. Using a convenient cake mix shortcut, this recipe simplifies holiday baking without sacrificing flavor or fun. Each soft, vibrant cookie features a signature red heart, making them perfect for parties, gift-giving, or simply enjoying with your loved ones. You’ll love how straightforward it is to create these charming, whimsical Easy Grinch Cookies.
Why You’ll Love These Easy Grinch Cookies
- Quick and Simple Recipe: These Easy Grinch Cookies come together in no time, making holiday baking stress-free.
- Convenient Cake Mix: A box of white cake mix acts as your secret weapon, ensuring consistent results and saving prep time.
- No Chilling Required: Skip the waiting game! You can mix, scoop, and bake these festive cookies right away.
- Festive and Fun Appearance: Their vibrant green color and iconic red heart sprinkles instantly evoke the holiday spirit.
- Perfect for Holiday Parties: These eye-catching cookies are always a hit on any holiday dessert platter.
- Kid-Friendly to Make: Little helpers will love assisting with mixing, rolling, and adding the adorable heart sprinkles.
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring (for vibrant color)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (for coating)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch (for coating)
- Red heart-shaped sprinkles (for decorating)
Notes & Substitutions
- White Cake Mix: Any brand of white cake mix works wonderfully for these festive cookies.
- Gluten-Free Option: Easily make these Easy Grinch Cookies gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free white cake mix.
- Cornstarch Alternatives: If you don’t have cornstarch, you can substitute it with an equal amount of tapioca starch or arrowroot powder.
- Peppermint Extract: Adjust the amount of peppermint extract to your taste, or swap it for mint extract if preferred.
- Heart Sprinkles: If red heart-shaped sprinkles are hard to find, use small red M&M’s, make small red icing hearts, or look for Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles. Cinnamon imperials also work well for a classic touch.
Equipment
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment or hand-held mixer
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper (to prevent sticking)
- Small mixing bowl (for powdered sugar coating)
- 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop or medium-sized scoop (for uniform cookies)
- Wire cooling rack (for proper cooling)
How To Make Grinch Cookies
Follow these simple steps to bake your own batch of delightful Easy Grinch Cookies.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- In a stand mixer bowl or with a hand-held mixer, combine the white cake mix, softened butter, and room temperature eggs. Mix until they are just well combined.
- Add in the peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and enough green gel food coloring to achieve your desired vibrant green shade. Start with a few drops and add more as needed. Mix on low speed just until the color is evenly distributed and the ingredients are combined. The dough for these Easy Grinch Cookies will be thick and sticky.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch thoroughly. This mixture creates a lovely crinkled effect.
- Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the cookie dough into balls. Remember, the dough is naturally sticky.
- Gently roll each scooped dough ball in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture until it is completely coated. This step is crucial for the crinkle appearance.
- Place the coated cookie dough balls about 1 inch apart on your prepared baking sheet. Ensure adequate spacing for even baking.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookies are ready when the edges are lightly set and the tops appear dry, but the centers still look soft. Do not overbake these Easy Grinch Cookies to keep them tender.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Immediately press one red heart-shaped sprinkle onto the center of each warm cookie, gently pressing it down so it adheres securely.
- Allow the Easy Grinch Cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This helps them set up and prevents breaking.
- After 5 minutes, carefully transfer the cookies from the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your festive creations!
Pro Tips for Perfect Grinch Cookies
- Use softened butter so it blends smoothly into the dough and creates a uniform cookie texture.
- Always use room temperature eggs for better emulsification and a consistent cookie structure.
- Gel food coloring is recommended over liquid because it delivers a vibrant green color without thinning the dough.
- Adjust the amount of green food coloring to achieve your preferred light or dark Grinch shade.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding the flour, as overmixing develops gluten and can make cookies tough.
- The dough will be naturally sticky, so rolling generously in powdered sugar makes it easier to handle and creates the signature crinkle effect.
- Avoid overbaking by removing cookies once the edges are set to keep them soft and chewy.
- Press the red heart sprinkles on immediately after baking while the cookies are still warm for proper adhesion.
- Always bake on parchment paper for easy cookie release and less cleanup.
- Use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate temperature, which is essential for evenly baked cookies.
Serving Suggestions & Storage
These charming Easy Grinch Cookies are perfect for any holiday occasion. Serve them alongside a tall glass of cold milk or a steaming mug of hot cocoa for a cozy treat. They also make an impressive addition to any holiday cookie platter, delighting guests with their festive appearance. Consider bagging a few up as thoughtful homemade gifts for friends, neighbors, or teachers.
To store your Easy Grinch Cookies, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days, maintaining their soft texture.
Freezing Instructions
- Ensure the Easy Grinch Cookies are completely cooled before freezing. Warm cookies will create condensation and ice crystals.
- Arrange the cooled cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container. You can layer them with parchment paper in between to prevent sticking.
- Freeze the cookies for up to 2 months.
- When ready to enjoy, thaw the frozen Easy Grinch Cookies at room temperature for a few hours.
Variations
- Lemon Extract: For a bright, zesty twist, swap out the peppermint extract for 2 teaspoons of lemon extract.
- Coconut Extract: Introduce a tropical note by using coconut extract instead of peppermint, creating a unique flavor profile.
- Holiday Colors: Vary the food coloring for other festive occasions. Think orange for Halloween, red for Valentine’s Day, or blue for a winter theme.
- Different Sprinkles: Experiment with various sprinkle shapes or colors to match any holiday or celebration.
Nutrition Information
Enjoy a delightful treat with these Easy Grinch Cookies, offering a balanced taste. Each serving provides a moderate amount of calories and carbohydrates, perfect for a festive indulgence. The fat content is also reasonable for a cookie, with a small amount of saturated fat.
| Nutrient | Amount | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 93 | kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 14 | g |
| Protein | 1 | g |
| Fat | 4 | g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 | g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1 | g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1 | g |
| Trans Fat | 1 | g |
| Cholesterol | 20 | mg |
| Sodium | 105 | mg |
| Potassium | 15 | mg |
| Fiber | 1 | g |
| Sugar | 7 | g |
| Vitamin A | 111 | IU |
| Calcium | 34 | mg |
| Iron | 1 | mg |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What size cookie scoop is best for these Easy Grinch Cookies? A medium 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop works perfectly for creating consistent, nicely sized cookies. Adjusting the cookie size will impact your overall yield and baking time.
- How much green food coloring should I use? Start with about 1 teaspoon of green gel food coloring and add more if needed to reach your desired shade. Remember that the color often lightens slightly during the baking process, so aim for a vibrant green in the dough.
- Where can I find red heart sprinkles for these cookies? Red heart sprinkles are often available seasonally around Valentine’s Day or year-round in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. You can also find them online or substitute with small red M&M’s or hand-piped red icing hearts.
Conclusion
You now have everything you need to bake the most festive and fun Easy Grinch Cookies. This recipe proves that creating memorable holiday treats doesn’t have to be complicated, thanks to simple ingredients and straightforward steps. They’re a wonderful way to add a touch of whimsy and flavor to your holiday traditions. We encourage you to gather your loved ones, bake a batch of these cheerful Easy Grinch Cookies, and share the joy of homemade goodness this season.
Easy Grinch Cookies
These festive Easy Grinch Cookies are made with a convenient white cake mix base, infused with peppermint and vanilla, and colored green for a fun holiday treat. Coated in powdered sugar and topped with a red heart sprinkle, they’re perfect for spreading some Grinchy cheer.
Kitchen Equipment
- hand-held mixer or stand mixer
- Large baking sheet
- parchment paper
- Small bowl
- 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop
- wire rack
Recipe Ingredients
Cookies
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 large large eggs
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- green gel food coloring
Coating
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Garnish
- red heart-shaped sprinkle or cinnamon red heart-shaped sprinkle or cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Making the Dough
- Use a mixer to combine cake mix, butter, and eggs until well blended.
- Add peppermint and vanilla extracts with green food coloring; mix on low speed until just combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch.
Baking
- Scoop 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie dough balls, roll in the sugar mixture, and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are set and tops appear dry.
- Remove from oven and immediately place a heart-shaped sprinkle on each cookie, gently pressing it down.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
The cookie dough will be thick and sticky, so keep that in mind when scooping and rolling.
