Go Back
+ servings
four grinch cookies stacked on top of one another
Print

Grinch Cookies

These colorful and festive Christmas cookies are perfect for family movie night!
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, Western
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 135kcal

Ingredients

Ingredients using cake mix:

  • 1 box vanilla cake mix the dry mix only
  • 1/2 cup (115g) melted butter
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 2 eggs at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • green food coloring
  • 1/2 cup (50g) sifted confectioners’ sugar for dusting
  • heart shaped sprinkles or candy

Ingredients to make from scratch:

  • 2 1/2 cups (300g) all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter softened
  • 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/2 cup (50g) sifted confectioners’ sugar for dusting
  • green food coloring
  • heart shaped sprinkles or candy

Instructions

Cake Mix Instructions:

  • Combine vanilla cake mix, butter, oil, eggs, vanilla, and almond extract in a mixing bowl.
  • When you have your ingredients combined, add in several drops of green food coloring, and mix it in.
  • Add in some food coloring (exact amount to your preference) until fully combined. (Tip: you want to add a little more than you think as thy color will be lighter after baking) .
  • You can refrigerate the dough at this stage for about 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 375F / 190C/ Gas 5 and line some cookie sheets.
  • Roll cookie dough into balls and transfer to the lines sheets making sure to press the top down lightly.
  • Bake in a preheated oven for 8-9 minutes and remove them from the oven. The cookies will be soft when warm but harden and crinkle more as they cool down.
  • Press a sprinkle heart into each still-warm cookie.
  • Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
  • You can roll the cookies in some powdered sugar before serving.

Make From Scratch Instructions:

  • Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl.
  • Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy in a stand mixer, at medium speed.
  • Beat in eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla and almond extract until just combined.
  • Add in some food coloring (amount to your preference) until fully combined. (Tip: you want to add a little more than you think as thy color will be lighter after baking).
  • You can refrigerate the dough at this stage for about 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 375F / 190C/ Gas 5 and line some cookie sheets.
  • Roll cookie dough into balls and transfer to the lines sheets making sure to press the top down lightly.
  • Bake in a preheated oven for 8-9 minutes and remove them from the oven. The cookies will be soft when warm but harden and crinkle more as they cool down.
  • Press a sprinkle heart into each still-warm cookie.
  • Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
  • You can roll the cookies in some powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

Recipe Tips

  • Measure your flour correctly – aka use a knife to level the flour if using a measuring cup or use your scale.
  • Make sure your ingredients are room temperature for the best mixing results.
  • The color of the cookies will be lighter after baking, so best to add a little more food coloring than you think you want.
  • These Grinch crinkle cookies will be soft straight out of the oven and harden up as they cool down. So please don't be tempted to over-bake them. 
  • If you have time, chill the dough in the refrigerator as this will help hold their shape during baking.
  • Feel free to use a Grinch Cookie Cutter to cut out the cookies instead.
  • You can easily double or triple this recipe for a crowd.
  • Ovens can bake at different temperatures and times, so check on your oatmeal cookies often to prevent under baking or over baking your dessert.

More Christmas Treats

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 155mg | Potassium: 18mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 138IU | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg