Grinch Cookies
These Grinch Cookies are soft, chewy, and inspired by the character from Dr. Seuss’s holiday classic. Made with simple ingredients, these cookies are fun, festive, and perfect for the season!
You’ll also love these Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies, White Chocolate Dipped Eggnog Cookies, and Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups!
With their soft, chewy centers and slightly crisp edges, these easy Grinch cookies are my new holiday favorite.
Each bite is delightful and delicious, making them an irresistible addition to your cookie platter.
If you’re participating in a cookie exchange or looking for a fun holiday cookie, this is it!
To really bring the Grinch to life, these cookies are colored a cheerful ‘Grinch’ green, rolled in powdered sugar, and then topped with a red heart sprinkle.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Festive flair: These cookies are as vibrant as they are delicious! Their cheerful green color and fun decorations will brighten up any holiday table and put a smile on everyone’s face.
- Irresistible flavor: With a soft, chewy texture and just the right amount of sweetness, these cookies are sure to satisfy your holiday cravings.
- Easy to make: Like most of my recipes, this one is straightforward and perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
- Perfect for Sharing: Whether you’re hosting a festive party, bringing a treat to a cookie exchange, or simply surprising your neighbors, these Grinch cookies without cake mix are a fun way to spread holiday cheer.
Ingredients Needed:
- Flour: all-purpose flour is best for this recipe.
- Baking powder: to make the cookies fluffy.
- Salt: to balance out the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: this is best so that you can control the amount of salt in these cookies.
- Sugar: to add a sweet touch.
- Eggs: this helps bind the cookies so they keep their shape while baking.
- Vanilla: because this makes everything taste better.
- Powdered sugar: for rolling the cookies and giving them that frosty effect.
- Green food coloring and heart sprinkles: for the Grinch look.
How to Make This Grinch Cookie Recipe:
- Whisk: to a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt until combined.
- Cream: in another large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until well combined. Then, add the eggs and vanilla, followed by the green food coloring.
- Scoop and roll: using a small cookie scoop, roll about 1 tablespoon of the dough into a ball and then place onto a prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough and then press a heart sprinkle into the center of each cookie.
- Bake: place into the oven and bake until the edges are set.
How to Store:
Cookies will last in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days.
To freeze: place cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to serve, let thaw completely at room temperature.
Should I Chill the Cookie Dough?
It’s not necessary, as these cookies will puff up slightly when baking. However, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking will help them retain their thickness.
How Much Food Coloring Should I Use?
I used the gel kind and added about 1-2 big drops of gel. However, if you’re using the liquid kind, I would recommend starting out with 1-2 drops and going from there.
Grinch Cookie Variations:
- Mint chocolate chip: add some mint chocolate chips to the batter to put a refreshing twist on this dessert.
- Candy cane crunchiness: add some crushed candy canes to the dough for a hint of peppermint.
- Nuttiness: pecans or walnuts would give these cookies a tasty crunch.
- Chocolate dipped: once the cookies are baked and cooled, dip each one halfway into melted dark chocolate or white chocolate for an extra dose of deliciousness.
- Stuffed cookies: add a caramel candy to the center of the dough before baking for a gooey surprise.
Looking for More Easy Holiday Recipes? I’ve Got You Covered!
- Christmas Tree Hand Pies
- Edible Christmas Cookie Dough
- Chocolate Peppermint Donuts
- Glazed Eggnog Bread
- Frosted Peppermint Brownies
- Eggnog French Toast Bake
- Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
Grinch Cookies
Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, (softened to room temperature)
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste, (or vanilla extract)
- 1 cup powdered sugar, (for rolling cookies)
- Green food coloring
- Heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk well to combine and set aside.
- In another large bowl, add butter and sugar and beat well until combined using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer with fitted paddle attachment. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well to combine. Add green food coloring and mix well, adding a little at a time, to achieve your desired green color.
- Add half of flour mixture to wet mixture and mix to combine. Add remaining flour mixture into wet mixture and beat until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Roll about 1 tablespoon of dough into balls using a small cookie scoop; then roll each ball into the powdered sugar. Place each ball onto prepared baking sheets and press one heart sprinkle into the center of each cookie.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until cookies are set around the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cook completely.
Notes
- Cookies will last in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days.
- I used these red heart sprinkles from Amazon, but if you can’t find them, a red M&M candy would also work.
- See my tips and tricks for making these Grinch Cookies above the recipe box.
