What are Grinch Cookies?

Grinch cookies are soft, chewy sugar cookies tinted bright green to resemble the famous character from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. They are rolled in sugar for extra sparkle and finished with a small red heart that melts slightly into the warm cookie. The color and little heart make them instantly recognizable and perfect for holiday cookie trays, Christmas parties, or baking with kids. They taste similar to a classic soft sugar cookie and rely on simple pantry ingredients, which makes them easy for beginners and fun for festive baking days. Their cheerful look always brings a little extra magic to the season.

How to make green Grinch Cookies?

Green Grinch cookies start with a soft sugar cookie dough made from butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and vanilla. Once the wet ingredients are mixed, add a few drops of green food coloring until you reach the perfect shade of Grinch green. Gel food coloring works best because it creates strong color with very little liquid. Roll the dough in sugar to add sparkle, then bake until just set. While the cookies are still warm, press a red heart sprinkle into the center of each one so it melts slightly into the cookie. Let them cool fully before storing or decorating further.

How to make Grinch Cookies with cake mix?

To make a cake mix version, use one box of vanilla or white cake mix, one third cup of oil, and two eggs. Stir together until a dough forms. Add green food coloring until you reach the shade you like. Scoop the dough, roll in sugar, and bake at 350°F for about 10 to 12 minutes. While the cookies are still warm, press a small red heart sprinkle into each one. Cake mix cookies will be softer and slightly more cakey than the scratch version, but they are fast, easy, and perfect for last minute holiday baking.

Can I make these cookies without food coloring?

Yes, you can still make delicious cookies without food coloring, but they will not have the classic Grinch look. If you prefer to skip artificial coloring, use a natural green gel color or matcha powder to tint the dough slightly. Matcha adds a mild earthy flavor that pairs surprisingly well with vanilla sugar cookies. See our Matcha Cookies . You can also keep them natural and simply add the red heart sprinkle for a minimalist Grinch theme.

Why did my cookies spread too much?

Cookies often spread too much when the butter is too warm, the dough was overmixed, or the flour measurement was too light. To fix this, chill the dough for 15 minutes before baking or add an extra tablespoon of flour. Using a kitchen scale helps ensure accurate measurements, especially for flour. Also make sure your baking sheet is fully cool before placing a new batch of dough on it, since a warm sheet can cause cookies to spread before they set.

Can Grinch Cookies be frozen?

Yes, these cookies freeze extremely well and are great for make ahead holiday baking. You can freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to an airtight freezer safe container for up to two months. To freeze the dough, scoop and roll the dough balls in sugar, then freeze them on a sheet pan until solid before transferring them to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen with one or two extra minutes added to the cook time. Add the heart sprinkle after baking while the cookies are still warm so it sticks properly.

How to decorate Grinch Cookies?

You can keep the classic look with a red heart or add a dusting of powdered sugar for extra sparkle. Rolling the dough in a sugar mixture before baking also adds shine and helps highlight the Grinch green color. These cookies look adorable on cookie plates and are perfect for bringing holiday spirit to parties or family baking days.

What is the summary of The Grinch?

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a classic Dr. Seuss story about a grumpy creature who dislikes Christmas and tries to stop it by taking all the presents, decorations, and food from the Whos in Whoville. After carrying out his plan, the Grinch is surprised when the Whos still celebrate with joy even without their things. Seeing that Christmas is more than gifts, his heart grows, and he has a change of heart. He returns everything he took and joins the Whos for their holiday celebration. The story teaches kindness, compassion, and the true meaning of the season.

What is the meaning of Grinch?

The word “Grinch” refers to someone who is grumpy or tries to spoil other people’s fun, especially during the holiday season. It comes from the character in Dr. Seuss’s story How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Over time, the name has become a common way to describe someone who is not excited about Christmas or who complains about holiday traditions.

Why is the Grinch green?

The Grinch was originally drawn black and white, but in the 1966 animated film (one of our favorite Christmas movies!), the creators decided to make him green. The bright green color made him stand out visually and emphasized his mischievous personality. The color later became iconic and is now recognized worldwide as part of the Grinch’s character.

Why does the Grinch hate Christmas?

In the story, the Grinch dislikes Christmas because he feels annoyed by the noise, celebrations, and joyful energy coming from Whoville. His isolated home and grumpy personality make him feel disconnected from the warmth of the holiday.

Grinch Cookies

Name: Grinch Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups (320 grams) all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 ¼ cups (250 grams) white sugar; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1 egg yolk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; green food coloring, to desired color intensity; 16 heart sprinkles; 1/2 cup (100 grams) white sugar (for rolling)

Description

Grinch Cookies are soft, chewy green sugar cookies rolled in sparkly sugar and topped with a red heart. The cutest Christmas cookies for holiday baking.

Ingredients

Scale

2 ½ cups (320 grams) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 ¼ cups (250 grams) white sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
green food coloring, to desired color intensity
16 heart sprinkles
1/2 cup (100 grams) white sugar (for rolling)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
In another large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and white sugar with an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and green food coloring. Beat again until the mixture is smooth, fluffy, and evenly tinted.
Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and beat again until a uniform cookie dough forms.
Using a medium cookie scoop, portion the dough and roll each piece in white sugar. Arrange the cookies evenly on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake for 11-12 minutes, until the edges are just set and the cookies look slightly puffed.
Press one heart sprinkle into the center of each cookie while they are still warm from the oven.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

How to store: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They stay soft and chewy for several days.

How to reheat: Warm in the microwave for 5-8 seconds for that fresh from the oven softness.

How to freeze: Freeze baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer safe bag for up to 2 months. Freeze the dough balls separately for fresh baked cookies anytime.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Cookies
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American