Grinch Cookies are festive, soft, and chewy treats perfect for holiday celebrations. Made from a white cake mix base, these bright green cookies get their signature color from green gel food coloring and a refreshing peppermint flavor. Each cookie is topped with a tiny red heart sprinkle, making them a fun and colorful addition to any Christmas cookie platter.
You will love how quick and easy these cookies are to prepare, with a soft texture reminiscent of cake, combined with the classic holiday mint flavor and a cute decorative touch.
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix (about 432g)
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract or mint extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (32g)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- Red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts for decoration
How to Create Your Grinch Cookies
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: Mix Dough
In a large bowl, use a hand-held mixer or stand mixer to blend the cake mix, softened butter, and eggs until fully combined.
Step 3: Add Flavor and Color
Add peppermint (or mint) extract, vanilla extract, and enough green gel food coloring to reach your desired shade of green. Mix on low speed until just blended. The dough will be thick and sticky.
Step 4: Prepare Coating
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch.
Step 5: Shape and Coat Dough Balls
Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop, portion dough and roll each ball in the powdered sugar-cornstarch mixture to coat thoroughly. Place dough balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 6: Bake
Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are set and tops appear dry but the centers remain soft.
Step 7: Add Sprinkles
Immediately after removing from the oven, place a red heart-shaped sprinkle on top of each cookie, pressing gently so it sticks.
Step 8: Cool
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
My Best Tips for Baking Grinch Cookies
-
Use gel food coloring for vibrant green without affecting dough consistency.
-
Chill dough briefly if too sticky to handle easily.
-
Don’t overbake for soft, tender cookies with a slight chew.
-
Coat dough balls thoroughly in powdered sugar/cornstarch for the perfect crinkle effect.
-
Press sprinkles on while cookies are still warm for optimal sticking.
Delicious Variations to Try
-
Add a touch of almond extract along with peppermint for complexity.
-
Roll dough balls in colored sanding sugar for a sparkly twist.
-
Swap mint extract for orange or lemon for creative flavor variations.
-
Use mini chocolate chips for festive speckles in the dough.
-
Drizzle melted white chocolate over cooled cookies for extra sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be made and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking.
Are these cookies suitable for gluten-free diets?
Use gluten-free cake mix varieties for a gluten-free option.
How do I store leftover cookies?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Can the dough be frozen?
Yes, dough balls can be frozen and baked from frozen adding a couple extra minutes to baking time.
What if I don’t have heart sprinkles?
Red cinnamon candies or edible red pearls work well as alternatives.
Can these cookies be made without peppermint?
Yes, omit peppermint and increase vanilla for a plain white cookie.
Print
Grinch Cookies
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, chewy green cookies with festive peppermint flavor and a red heart sprinkle, perfect for holiday cookie exchanges and dessert trays.
Ingredients
15.25 oz white cake mix (about 432 g)
8 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp peppermint extract (or mint extract)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring
1/4 cup (32 g) powdered sugar
3 tbsp cornstarch
Red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheet with parchment.
Beat cake mix, butter, and eggs until smooth.
Mix in peppermint, vanilla, and green gel food coloring until uniformly tinted.
Whisk powdered sugar and cornstarch.
Scoop 1.5 tbsp dough, roll into balls, coat in sugar-cornstarch mixture.
Bake 10-12 minutes until edges set and tops dry but centers soft.
Press red heart sprinkle on warm cookies.
Cool 5 minutes on sheet, then transfer to wire rack.
Notes
Use gel food coloring for vivid green.
Chill dough if too sticky.
Avoid overbaking for chewy centers.
Coat thoroughly for crinkle effect.
Press heart sprinkle while warm.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American / Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (1/24 recipe)
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: grinch cookies, christmas peppermint cookies, green crinkle cookies, easy cake mix cookies, holiday dessert recipe
