The Grinch’s Green Holiday Cookies Recipe: A Festive Treat

Green-tinted Grinch cookies capture the whimsical spirit of holiday baking with unexpected charm.

Sweet crumbles melt into soft, playful textures that surprise everyone who takes a bite.

Festive bakers appreciate how these treats blend nostalgic cartoon memories with delightful seasonal flavors.

Vivid emerald hues peek through each cookie, promising a delectable adventure for chocolate and peppermint lovers.

Minimal ingredients combine to create something magical that sparks conversations and smiles around the kitchen counter.

Kids especially adore helping mix the vibrant green dough and watching cookies transform in the oven.

You’ll want to make extra batches because these little delights disappear faster than max the dog can steal them.

One taste promises to steal hearts faster than the Grinch himself.

Storage Tips for Grinch Cookies

• Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and festive green color.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor when thawed.
• Store cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent texture changes and maintain crispness.

FAQs

• Can I make these cookies without peppermint extract?

Yes, you can skip the peppermint extract. The cookies will still taste delicious, but they won’t have the minty flavor characteristic of Grinch Cookies.

• What if I don't have green gel food coloring?

You can use liquid green food coloring, but the color might be less vibrant. Gel food coloring provides a more intense and brighter green shade.

• How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling and baking. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading during baking.

• Are these cookies soft or crispy?

These Grinch Cookies are soft and slightly chewy, with a tender texture typical of cake mix-based cookies.

Grinch Cookies Breakdown

• Celebrate Festive Cheer: Bring the whimsical Grinch spirit to your holiday baking with these playful green cookies that capture the magical Christmas movie vibe.
• Customize with Ease: Personalize the cookies by adjusting the green food coloring intensity and adding fun heart-shaped sprinkles for a unique touch that delights both kids and adults.
• Quick Holiday Dessert: Create a batch of these charming cookies in under an hour, making them perfect for last-minute holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or spontaneous baking sessions.
• Kid-Friendly Baking: Engage children in the kitchen with simple mixing, rolling, and decorating steps that make this recipe an enjoyable family activity during the festive season.

Ingredients for Grinch Cookies

• Cake Mix: A simple base that provides the foundational texture and sweetness for the Grinch cookies.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cookie's structure.

• Peppermint Extract: Provides a cool, refreshing mint flavor that complements the Grinch theme.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the overall cookie flavor profile.
• Green Gel Food Coloring: Gives the cookies their signature bright green Grinch-inspired color.

• Powdered Sugar, Cornstarch: Create a light, sweet coating that gives the cookies a snowy, festive appearance.
• Red Heart-Shaped Sprinkles: Adds a playful decorative touch reminiscent of the Grinch's small heart growing larger.

How to Bake Grinch Cookies

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Heat the oven to a toasty 350°F. Grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper or silicone mats for a stress-free cleanup.

Step 2: Whip Up the Magical Dough

• Cake mix
• Softened butter
• Eggs

Blend everything until the mixture looks smooth and dreamy.

Pour in the peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and green gel food coloring.

Swirl on low speed until the dough transforms into a vibrant green wonderland.

Step 3: Create a Snowy Powdery Coating

In a small bowl, mix together powdered sugar and cornstarch.

Scoop the dough using a medium cookie scoop. Roll each dough ball through the powdery mixture, ensuring a complete snowy makeover.

Step 4: Bake the Grinchy Treats

Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.

Slide the sheets into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Look for set edges and dry-looking tops.

Step 5: Add a Heartwarming Touch

While cookies are still warm, gently press a red heart-shaped sprinkle into the center of each cookie.

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Tips for Festive Grinch Cookies

• Mix food coloring gently to avoid streaks and ensure an even, vibrant green color throughout the cookie dough.
• Chill the dough balls for 15 minutes before rolling in powdered sugar for a more even, beautiful white dusting.
• Press sprinkles immediately after baking while cookies are still warm to help them stick perfectly without damaging the cookie surface.
• Store Grinch cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to maintain their powdery texture and prevent sticking.
• Add an extra splash of peppermint extract for a more intense minty flavor that complements the festive green color.

Variations on Grinch Cookies

• Gluten-Free Grinch Cookies: Replace cake mix with gluten-free cake mix or a blend of gluten-free flour, almond flour, and baking powder for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Green Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use egg replacer or mashed banana, and select vegan cake mix to create plant-based holiday treats.
• Low-Sugar Holiday Cookies: Substitute powdered sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia blend, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining festive green color.
• Peppermint Alternative Cookies: Replace peppermint extract with orange or almond extract, creating different flavor profiles while keeping the signature green appearance.

Pairing Ideas for Grinch Cookies

Brew rich, creamy hot chocolate with marshmallows and a hint of peppermint to complement the cookie’s minty flavor.

Serve alongside smooth vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream for a delightful cooling contrast.

Pour chilled white sparkling wine or a crisp non-alcoholic champagne to enhance the cookie’s playful green color and festive spirit.

Steep fresh mint tea with a touch of honey to mirror the peppermint extract in the cookies and create a harmonious taste experience.

Grinch Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive green Grinch cookies bring holiday cheer with their whimsical charm and vibrant appearance. Crackly sugar-coated edges and bright green hue invite you to indulge in a playful Dr. Seuss-inspired treat that sparks joy and nostalgia.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box (15.25 ounces/432 grams) white cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened

Flavoring and Extracts:

• 1 teaspoon peppermint or mint extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Decorative and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon green gel food coloring
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• Red heart-shaped sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for effortless release and cleaning.
2. In a large mixing bowl, blend cake mix, softened butter, and eggs until the mixture transforms into a smooth, uniform dough.
3. Infuse the dough with peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and vibrant green gel food coloring, stirring on low speed to ensure even color distribution.
4. Create a coating mixture by whisking powdered sugar and cornstarch in a separate small bowl.
5. Utilize a medium cookie scoop to form dough balls, then meticulously roll each one in the powdered sugar mixture until completely enveloped.
6. Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets, positioning them approximately 2 inches apart to allow proper spreading.
7. Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for set edges and a dry surface appearance.
8. While cookies are still warm, delicately press a single red heart-shaped sprinkle into the center of each cookie for a whimsical touch.
9. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture.

Notes

• Swap cake mix with gluten-free alternatives for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals to make these festive treats accessible to everyone.
• Reduce peppermint extract by half if you prefer a subtler mint flavor, ensuring the taste doesn’t overpower the cookie’s sweetness.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling in powdered sugar to prevent sticking and create a more even coating on each cookie.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to maintain their soft texture and prevent crumbling for up to 5 days.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 130 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg