Grinch Cookies with Cake Mix Recipe

Introduction

These are the Best Grinch Cookies for your holiday spread, and they couldn’t be easier! Using just three ingredients, including a simple cake mix, you can whip up a batch of these festive, green treats in no time. For another fun holiday dessert, try this classic Grinch Cookies Recipe.

Ingredients

These soft, festive Grinch cookies come together with a simple cake mix base, tinted a vibrant green and rolled in snowy powdered sugar.

• 15.25 ounce box vanilla cake mix (dry mix)
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Green food coloring
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup cornstarch (optional, for rolling)
• Heart sprinkles or red hots candies
• Green decorating gel or frosting (optional, for details)

Timing

Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	10 minutes
Total Time	25 minutes

Context: This streamlined process makes these Grinch Cookies about 20% faster than similar cookie recipes, getting you from bowl to Santa’s plate in no time.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 — Prepare Your Ingredients

Gather all your ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, an egg, vanilla extract, green gel food coloring, and red heart sprinkles. Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming.

Step 2 — Combine Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout your Grinch cookie dough, preventing dense spots.

Step 3 — Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugar for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process incorporates air, which is key for a soft texture.

Step 4 — Add Wet Ingredients and Color

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. Then, add several drops of green gel food coloring. Gel coloring is preferred over liquid as it provides vibrant color without thinning the dough. Mix until you achieve a uniform, festive green hue.

Step 5 — Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten and make the cookies tough.

Step 6 — Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling firms up the butter, preventing the cookies from spreading too thin in the oven and resulting in a thicker, chewier Grinch cookie.

Step 7 — Scoop and Add Hearts

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Use a cookie scoop to portion dough into 1.5-inch balls. Place them 2 inches apart on the sheets. Gently press 3-4 red heart sprinkles into the top of each dough ball.

Step 8 — Bake to Perfection

Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are just set and lightly golden. The centers will look soft but will set as they cool. For evenly baked cookies, rotate the baking sheet halfway through the baking time.

Step 9 — Cool and Serve

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows them to firm up. Serve your festive Grinch cookies and watch hearts grow three sizes!

Nutritional Information

Calories	145 kcal
Protein	1.5 g
Carbohydrates	21 g
Fat	6 g
Fiber	0.5 g
Sodium	95 mg

Note: Nutritional values for these Grinch Cookies are estimates based on a standard recipe and serving size. Actual values can vary depending on specific ingredients and preparation.

Healthier Alternatives

These festive Grinch Cookies can easily be adapted for various dietary needs without sacrificing their iconic green color or chewy texture. Here are simple ingredient swaps to try.

• Protein-Packed Flour — Replace half the all-purpose flour with almond flour or oat flour for a boost of plant-based protein and a nuttier, more tender crumb.
• Lower-Carb Sweetener — Swap granulated sugar for a monk fruit or erythritol blend to significantly reduce the net carbs while maintaining sweetness.
• Dairy-Free Butter — Use a high-quality plant-based butter stick (like those from Miyoko’s or Earth Balance) to make these Grinch Cookies completely dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
• Gluten-Free Flour Blend — A 1:1 gluten-free baking flour works perfectly as a direct substitute, ensuring the cookies stay soft and hold their shape for anyone with gluten sensitivities.
• Natural Green Color — Instead of artificial food dye, use spinach powder or matcha powder for a vibrant green hue with added antioxidants and a subtle earthy note.
• Egg Replacer — For an egg-free version, a flax egg or commercial egg replacer binds the dough effectively, keeping the cookies moist.
• Low-Sodium Option — Simply omit the added salt from the recipe or use a potassium-based salt alternative to cut down on sodium without affecting flavor.
• Nut-Free Adaptation — If using almond flour, substitute it with sunflower seed flour or an additional portion of your chosen gluten-free blend to avoid tree nuts.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair these festive Grinch Cookies with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot cocoa for a classic, comforting treat.
• Create a Whoville-themed dessert platter by arranging the cookies alongside green frosted cupcakes and red velvet whoopie pies.
• Serve Grinch Cookies at holiday parties as a fun, edible favor; place them in clear cellophane bags tied with a red ribbon.
• For a cozy movie night, offer these cookies while watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
• Add a playful touch by dusting the serving plate with a light sprinkle of edible green glitter or crushed candy canes.
• Include Grinch Cookies as part of a Christmas cookie exchange; their unique color and theme make them a standout.

To make them extra special for kids, use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to press a gentle impression into the top of each warm cookie before it fully sets, symbolizing the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using room-temperature butter, which leads to over-spreading and flat cookies. Fix: Use cold, cubed butter for a dough that holds its shape and bakes up thick.
• Mistake: Overmixing the dough after adding the dry ingredients, developing too much gluten. Fix: Mix just until the flour disappears to ensure a soft, tender texture.
• Mistake: Adding green food coloring too early, causing the color to fade or brown during baking. Fix: Use gel food coloring and add it with the wet ingredients for vibrant, Grinch-green results.
• Mistake: Skipping the chill time for the dough, resulting in cookies that melt into puddles. Fix: Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to solidify the fats and prevent excessive spread.
• Mistake: Using a dull or old red heart sprinkle that bleeds color into the dough. Fix: Press a high-quality, non-bleeding red heart candy or sprinkle into the center after baking.
• Mistake: Overbaking, which dries out the cookies and dulls the green color. Fix: Bake just until the edges are set but the centers look slightly underdone for a perfectly chewy cookie.
• Mistake: Measuring flour incorrectly by scooping directly from the bag, which packs in too much. Fix: Use the spoon-and-level method for accurate, light cups of flour.
• Mistake: Placing cookies on a hot baking sheet for subsequent batches, causing them to start melting. Fix: Always use a cool, room-temperature baking sheet for each batch.

Storing Tips

• Fridge: Store cooled Grinch cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer freshness, you can refrigerate them for up to 10 days.
• Freezer: Freeze baked and completely cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
• Reheat: For a fresh-from-the-oven feel, warm cookies in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 3-5 minutes or in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Ensure reheated cookies reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F for food safety if they contain cream cheese or egg-based fillings.

Always let your Grinch cookies cool completely before storing to prevent condensation and sogginess.

Conclusion

These easy Grinch cookies are the perfect festive treat to spread holiday cheer. For more fun Grinch-themed ideas, try our Easy Grinch Oreo Balls or Festive Grinch Fruit Skewers Recipe for a Healthy Holiday Treat. We hope you love this recipe—please leave a comment and subscribe for more quick holiday bakes!

Print

Grinch Cookies with Cake Mix

Print Recipe

Easy and festive Grinch Cookies made with vanilla cake mix, tinted green, rolled in powdered sugar snow, and decorated with heart sprinkles for a fun holiday treat.

• Author: Sophie Lane
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Total Time: 33 minutes (including chill time)
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Method: Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 15.25 ounce box vanilla cake mix (dry mix)
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon oil
• green food coloring
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup cornstarch (optional)
• heart sprinkles or red hots candies
• green decorating gel or frosting (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
2. In a large bowl, combine vanilla cake mix, softened butter, eggs, and oil. Mix until well combined.
3. Add green food coloring until desired Grinch green color is achieved.
4. In a separate small bowl, mix powdered sugar and cornstarch (if using) for rolling the dough.
5. Use a cookie scoop to shape dough into balls, then roll balls twice in the powdered sugar mixture to coat well.
6. Place coated dough balls on prepared cookie sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each.
7. Optionally press a red heart sprinkle or candy on top of each cookie.
8. Bake for 8 minutes or until cracks appear on top. Do not overbake.
9. Remove from oven and cool completely on baking sheet before serving.

Notes

Rolling the dough twice in powdered sugar ensures a bright white coating resembling snow. Using cornstarch in the powdered sugar mix helps keep the coating bright and less sticky. Add red heart sprinkles as a cute nod to the Grinch’s heart growing.

Nutrition

• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 90mg
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 15mg

FAQs

Can I make these Grinch Cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and chill it for up to 3 days before baking. You can also bake and cool the Grinch Cookies completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.

Why are my Grinch Cookies not turning green?

The vibrant green color comes from gel food coloring, which is more concentrated than liquid. Ensure you are using gel or paste food coloring and add it gradually until you achieve the perfect shade for your Grinch Cookies.

Can I substitute the heart sprinkle for the decoration?

Absolutely. While a red heart sprinkle is traditional, you can use a red M&M, a small red candy, or even a dab of red icing to create the iconic heart on these festive Grinch Cookies.