The Ultimate Grinch Cookies (Easy Decorated Christmas Cookies!)
Imagine a crinkly, chewy, Grinch-green cookie, dusted in a snowy layer of powdered sugar, with a single, tiny red heart that grew three sizes. That, my friends, is the pure, whimsical, and utterly delicious magic of these Grinch Cookies. This is, without a doubt, the most fun, festive, and easiest Christmas cookie you will make…
Imagine a crinkly, chewy, Grinch-green cookie, dusted in a snowy layer of powdered sugar, with a single, tiny red heart that grew three sizes. That, my friends, is the pure, whimsical, and utterly delicious magic of these Grinch Cookies. This is, without a doubt, the most fun, festive, and easiest Christmas cookie you will make this season, guaranteed to steal everyone’s heart!
I promise you, there is no greater holiday delight than a platter of these vibrant green cookies. The cool hint of peppermint is the perfect flavor for a Grinchy treat, and the powdered sugar coating gives them a beautiful, crinkly finish. They are a true show-stopper for any cookie exchange, classroom party, or holiday movie night.
Get ready to create the most talked-about cookie of the season, a recipe so easy and charming, it will become an instant Christmas tradition.
Why These Grinch Cookies Will Steal Your Heart
You are going to be completely smitten with how easy and adorable these cookies are. They are the perfect festive project. Here’s why:
- A Genius Cake Mix Shortcut: Using a box of white cake mix as the base guarantees a perfectly soft, chewy, and delicious cookie every single time. It’s foolproof!
- Incredibly Fun and Festive Theme: The vibrant Grinch-green color and the iconic single red heart make these cookies instantly recognizable and full of whimsical holiday charm.
- Super Quick and Easy to Make: With just a handful of ingredients and a quick prep time, this is the perfect recipe for busy holiday bakers.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 25 minutes |
| Servings | 30 cookies |
| Calories | 93 kcal per cookie |
| Course | Dessert |
| Cuisine | American |
| Difficulty/Method | Easy / Baking |
Your Shopping List for These Grinchy Treats
This clever shortcut recipe comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients.
→ For the Grinch Cookies
- 1 (15.25 oz) box white cake mix → The secret to our super easy, soft, and chewy cookies!
- 8 tablespoons (½ cup) unsalted butter → Softened to room temperature.
- 2 large eggs → Also at room temperature, for a smoother dough.
Let’s Get Grinchy! Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to make the easiest, most festive cookies of the season? Let’s get mixing!
Part 1: The Grinch-Green Cookie Dough
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat together the cake mix, softened butter, and eggs until they are well combined. The dough will be thick.
- Add Flavor and Color: Add in the peppermint and vanilla extracts. Then, add a few drops of green gel food coloring and mix on low speed. Continue adding color, a drop at a time, until you reach your desired vibrant, Grinchy green. The final dough will be thick and sticky!
- Prepare the Coating: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch.
Part 2: Roll, Bake, and Decorate
- Scoop and Roll: Using a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop for even sizes, scoop the sticky dough. Roll each scoop into a ball, then generously roll the ball in the powdered sugar mixture until it’s completely coated.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the coated dough balls about 1 inch apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The edges should be set, and the tops should look dry and beautifully crinkled.
- Add the Heart!: This is a crucial, time-sensitive step! As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, immediately and carefully place one red heart-shaped sprinkle right in the center of each hot cookie. Gently press it down just enough so it sticks.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Soft and Chewy Grinch Cookies with Cake Mix
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a mixer, beat together the cake mix, softened butter, and eggs until well combined.
- Add in the peppermint and vanilla extracts. Add green gel food coloring, a few drops at a time, and mix on low speed until the desired color is reached. The batter will be thick and sticky.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch.
- Scoop the dough with a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop. Roll the sticky dough into balls, then roll each ball in the powdered sugar mixture to coat completely.
- Place the dough balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops appear dry and crinkled.
- Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press one heart-shaped sprinkle into the center of each hot cookie.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Grinch Cookies
These simple secrets will ensure your festive cookies are a huge success.
- Use Gel Food Coloring. To get that iconic, vibrant Grinch-green, gel food coloring is a must. Liquid food coloring isn’t as concentrated and can make your sticky dough even wetter.
- The Dough is Supposed to Be Sticky! Don’t be alarmed by the sticky texture of the cake mix dough—that’s normal! The powdered sugar and cornstarch coating makes it manageable to handle.
- Cornstarch is the Secret Weapon. Mixing cornstarch with the powdered sugar for the coating is a brilliant trick. It helps prevent the powdered sugar from melting into the cookie, ensuring a beautiful, snowy, crinkled appearance.
- Place the Heart Immediately! You must place the heart sprinkle on the cookies the second they come out of the oven. They will be puffy and soft, allowing the sprinkle to adhere perfectly as they cool and set. If you wait even a few minutes, the surface will be too firm.
- Don’t Overbake. For that perfect soft and chewy texture, pull the cookies from the oven as soon as the edges are set and the tops look dry. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the pan.
Keep Them Fresh! Storing Your Holiday Cookies
These soft and chewy cookies have a great shelf life, perfect for holiday planning.
- Storage: Once the cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: These cookies also freeze beautifully! Once cooled, you can freeze them in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
FAQs: Your Grinch Cookie Questions, Answered!
Can I make this recipe without a cake mix?
This recipe is specifically designed around the unique texture that a cake mix provides. If you wanted to make a from-scratch version, you would need to look for a specific “Grinch crinkle cookie” recipe that starts with flour, as the ratios of wet to dry ingredients would be very different.
I don’t have peppermint extract. What can I use instead?
You can simply omit it and use all vanilla extract for a classic vanilla-flavored sugar cookie taste. Almond extract would also be a delicious alternative!
Where can I find red heart sprinkles, especially around Christmas?
They can be a little tricky to find outside of Valentine’s season! Check the baking aisles of major craft stores, as they often have year-round multi-packs of sprinkle shapes. You can also easily order them online. Small red cinnamon hearts are another great, flavorful alternative.
Can I chill the dough to make it less sticky?
You can, but it’s not necessary and may affect the final crinkle. The powdered sugar/cornstarch coating is designed to make the sticky dough manageable. If you do chill it, you may need to let it sit at room temperature for a bit to become scoopable again.
Final Thoughts: The Cutest Cookie on the Platter
There is nothing more fun than a holiday treat that tells a story and brings a beloved character to life. These Grinch Cookies are the perfect embodiment of holiday fun and mischief. They are incredibly easy, undeniably cute, and an absolute joy to make and share. I hope they make your heart (and your guests’ hearts) grow three sizes this Christmas. Happy Baking!
