Grinch Cookies

These adorable Grinch Cookies are a must-bake for the holidays, inspired by the classic Christmas movie! Made with an easy cake mix, these soft green heart-shaped cookies rolled in powdered sugar are a fun and irresistible festive treat for your cookie tray

Try my Grinch brownies, Grinch-themed Christmas pretzels, or Frosty-inspired Melted Snowman cookies next!

this recipe!

Festive Green Grinch Heart Cookies Recipe

These adorable Grinch Cookies are made with an easy cake mix, making them a quick and festive holiday treat.

Soft green Grinch heart cookies rolled in powdered sugar are a fun, classic movie-inspired addition to any Christmas cookie tray that kids cannot resist.

Making these grinch crinkle cookies will not disappoint, as they are so easy to make using cake mix and other ingredients that you have in your pantry.

Why you’ll love this cookie recipe

• So easy to make with cake mix and basic pantry baking ingredients
• No need to measure the flour
• Grinch cookies are one of the cutest must have Christmas cookies
• Perfect not just for the holiday dessert tray but also for holiday bake sales, cookie exchanges or for boxed holiday gift giving

Ingredients

• Cake Mix – white cake mix
• Butter and Eggs – best to use at room temperature
• Peppermint Extract
• Vanilla Extract
• Powdered Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Food Coloring
• Heart Sprinkles

Substitutions

You could substitute the heart sprinkles by using different type of heart candies and cinnamon candies or even Holiday M&M’s you can find at your local store.

Step by step instructions

STEP ONE – Preheat your oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

STEP TWO – Combine ¼ cup powdered sugar and ¼ cup cornstarch in a mixing bowl. Set aside.

STEP THREE – Using a hand or stand mixer, beat ½ cup melted unsalted butter and 2 large eggs for about 30 seconds in a mixing bowl. Next, add the white cake mix, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon pure mint extract, and continue to mix. The batter should be thick and sticky.

STEP FOUR – Next, add the white cake mix, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon pure mint extract, and continue to mix. The batter should be thick and sticky

STEP FIVE – Add green food coloring gel and mix until you reach your desired color. 

STEP SIX – Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to make small dough balls. One at a time, drop each ball into the bowl containing powdered sugar and cornstarch and roll them, then place them 1 inch apart on your prepared cookie sheet. 

STEP SEVEN – Bake for 10 – 12 minutes or until the tops look dry and the edges are set. Don’t overcook.

STEP EIGHT – Remove from the oven, place the candy heart on each cookie, and gently press down so the heart stays in place. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then place them on a cooling rack until completely cool.

Serve & enjoy!

Variations

Make Grinch cookies with Hershey Kisses by adding a Hershey Kiss to this Grinch recipe after baking the cookie much like you do you with blossom kiss cookies for blossom Grinch cookies.

Adding royal icing to these Grinch cookies is a fun idea as is adding andes mints chopped up in the dough to make an andes mint Grinch cookies.

Sandra’s tips for making the best grinch cookies

• Using pure vanilla extract will help make your Grinch cookies taste better
• We used the Wilton brand leaf green food coloring that I feel really nailed the perfect Grinch color in these cookies
• Apply the food coloring a little at a time using a tooth pick until your reach your desired color
• If the dough is too sticky to handle you can chill it for 15 to 20 minutes
• Use a cookie scoop to measure out the cookies so you get uniform cookie sizes
• Do not over bake the cookies as the edges can brown quickly so keep on eye on them and know your oven
• Not letting the cookies cool too much before adding the heart sprinkle or they may not stick properly

Why should you use cake mix to make Grinch Christmas cookies?

Making cookies using cake mix is so easy with no need to measure the four and it is a quick way to get a made from scratch taste. Using cake mix along with other pantry staple baking ingredients like in these Grinch cookies with cake mix makes them so easy and tasty!

Storage

Store Grinch cookies in an airtight container using parchment paper to separate the layers at room temperature for 3 to 5 days.

Grinch cookies freeze very well in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper in between cookie layers for 2 to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.