Grinch Cookies: a weeknight method

These Grinch cookies are soft and chewy cake mix cookies, rolled in sugar and topped with a red heart. A super straightforward Christmas cookie recipe that’s always a hit with kids!

When the winter holidays arrive, I celebrate with lots of festive dessert recipes including stained glass cookies, cream cheese spritz cookies, eggnog cake and these adorable Grinch cookies.

Whenever I think Christmas, the Grinch comes to mind! This movie is a classic holiday tale for good reason. These Grinch cookies are green like the character, with a red heart to signify the day his heart grew three sizes. This treat is great for class parties and gift giving.

Grinch Cookies Ingredients

To make these cookies, you will need a box of white cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, neon green food coloring, granulated sugar and red heart sprinkles.

How Do You Make Grinch Cookies?

Place the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and food coloring in a large bowl. Stir until a dough forms. Chill the mixture until it firms up. Roll the dough into tablespoon sized balls. Take each cookie dough ball and coat it in sugar. Bake until the cookies are set. As soon as the warm cookies come out of the oven, immediately press a red heart sprinkle onto each cookie. Cool on a wire rack, then serve.

Tips For The Reliable Cookies

• I use a neongreen gel food coloring for the most intense color. It’s the reliable shade of Grinch green! Liquid food coloring will also work, but you might need to use more of it. You can add as little or as much as you like. Look for the neon green color online or at a craft store in the cake decorating area.
• I use jumbo heart sprinkles which are sold in the cake decorating aisle of craft stores, or you can purchase them online.
• Grinch cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Use a cookie scoop to make sure all the cookies come out the same size.
• If your sprinkles don’t stick well to your cookies, you can attach them with a dab of melted white chocolate.

Quick Tip

It’s important to use a 15 1/4 ounce box of vanilla cake mix, so read the labels carefully at the store to make sure you have the right size.

Recipe FAQs

Can you use butter in cake mix cookies?

You can substitute 1/2 cup of softened butter for oil in this cake mix cookie recipe, but the cookies may have a slightly different texture.

Can you freeze Grinch cookies?

Grinch cookies will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2 months. Store them in a freezer bag or an airtight container for the finest results.

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Flavor Variations

While these cookies are tasty as-is, you can customize the flavors to your tastes.

• Heart: If you can’t find the heart sprinkles, use another red candy instead such as a red hot cinnamon candy or a red M&M candy.
• Coating: You can also roll your cookies in green sanding sugar, or 1/4 cup powdered sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
• Flavorings: Feel free to add extra flavor to your cookies by adding 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract or almond extract.

You simply can’t go wrong with Grinch Christmas cookies. They’re quick to make, and always get rave reviews!

More Great Christmas Cookies

Christmas Wreath Cookies

15 mins

Chocolate Spritz Cookies

20 mins

Christmas Sugar Cookies

35 mins

Nutella Cookies

25 mins

Thumbprint Cookies

1 hr 35 mins

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Add as Google preferred source Authorthe Makdob kitchen These Grinch cookies are soft and chewy cake mix cookies, rolled in sugar and topped with a red heart. A super straightforward Christmas cookie recipe that's always a hit with kids! Time Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Chilling Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Serves 24

Ingredients

• 15 1/4 ounce box white cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• neon green food coloring
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 24 red heart sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the white cake mix, eggs, oil, vanilla extract and 8-10 drops of neon green food coloring. Stir to combine.
3. Cover the bowl of dough and chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes.
4. Roll the dough into tablespoon sized balls.
5. Pour the granulated sugar onto a plate. Roll the balls of dough around in the sugar to coat.
6. Place the balls of dough 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. You will need to work in batches.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cookies are set and lightly browned. When the cookies come out of the oven, immediately press a red heart sprinkle into each cookie while they are still hot.
8. Cool, then remove from the baking sheet and repeat the baking process with the remaining dough. Serve immediately, or store in an air tight container for up to 3 days.

Notes

1. Make sure you have a 15 1/4 oz. box of cake mix. Some cake mix boxes are smaller and will not work well for this recipe.
2. You can make your cookies larger or smaller than what the recipe calls for; just adjust the bake time accordingly.
3. Use a cookie scoop or measuring spoon to make all of your balls of dough the same size.

Nutrition

Calories: 146kcal
| Carbohydrates: 22g
| Protein: 1g
| Fat: 5g
| Saturated Fat: 4g
| Cholesterol: 13mg
| Sodium: 154mg
| Potassium: 18mg
| Sugar: 13g
| Vitamin A: 20IU
| Calcium: 49mg
| Iron: 0.5mg
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