Introduction

Celebrate the holiday season with these festive Grinch Cookies! Soft, minty, and vividly green, they’re a fun twist on classic cake mix cookies. Easy to make and perfect for sharing at any holiday gathering.

A white shallow bowl is filled with many light green cookies that have a cracked texture dusted with white powdered sugar. Each cookie has a small red heart candy at the center of the top. Behind this bowl is a smaller white plate holding three more cookies. The setting includes white bottles of milk with red-striped straws and Christmas ornaments in red and green on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

15.25 ounces white cake mix (1 standard 432 g box)
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 (enough to achieve desired color)
¼ cup powdered sugar (32 g)
3 tablespoons cornstarch
Red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, use a hand-held or stand mixer to combine the white cake mix, softened butter, and eggs until well blended.
Step 3: Add the peppermint (or mint) extract and vanilla extract. Gradually add green gel food coloring until you reach your desired vibrant color. Mix on low speed until just combined—the batter will be thick and sticky.
Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch to prepare the coating mixture.
Step 5: Using a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop dough balls and roll each one in the powdered sugar mixture until fully coated. Place the dough balls about 1 inch apart on your prepared baking sheet.
Step 6: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops appear dry.
Step 7: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a red heart-shaped sprinkle onto the top of each cookie so it sticks.
Step 8: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

For a stronger mint flavor, increase peppermint extract up to 3 teaspoons, but be careful not to overpower the cookie.
If you don’t have green gel food coloring, mix blue and yellow gel colors slowly until you reach the desired shade.
Try using different seasonal sprinkles if red hearts aren’t available, such as red sugar crystals or candy cane pieces.
To keep cookie dough from sticking to your hands, lightly dust them with cornstarch when rolling the dough balls.

Storage

Store cooled Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them fresh longer, place a slice of bread in the container to maintain moisture. Reheat gently in a microwave for about 10 seconds if you prefer them warm.

How to Serve

A white plate piled with round, green cookies that have a cracked, soft texture on top, each cookie lightly dusted with white powdered sugar. Small, bright red heart-shaped sprinkles are placed on the surface of each cookie, creating a charming contrast with the pale green color. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with part of a woman's hand reaching towards the bottom right corner of the image. The scene is bright and clean, focusing closely on the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes, but a white or vanilla cake mix works best to achieve the bright green color and mild flavor typical of Grinch Cookies. Other flavors might alter the taste and look.

Why is cornstarch added to the powdered sugar?

Cornstarch helps absorb moisture from the sticky dough and prevents the sugar coating from clumping, making it easier to roll and giving the cookies a nice, slightly crisp outer texture.

Grinch Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 92 reviews

Delight in these festive Grinch Cookies, featuring a vibrant green cake mix base infused with peppermint and vanilla extracts. These soft, chewy cookies are coated in a sweet powdered sugar and cornstarch blend, baked until perfectly set, then topped with a charming red heart sprinkle to capture the spirit of the holiday season.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

15.25 ounces white cake mix (432 g box)
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 (enough for desired color)

Coating

¼ cup powdered sugar (32 g)
3 tablespoons cornstarch

Decoration

Red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
Mix Ingredients: Using a hand-held or stand mixer, combine the white cake mix, softened butter, and room temperature eggs until the mixture is smooth and fully integrated.
Add Extracts and Coloring: Stir in the peppermint (or mint) extract, vanilla extract, and green gel food coloring. Mix on low speed just until the color is evenly distributed and the batter reaches a thick, sticky consistency.
Prepare Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and cornstarch. This mixture will be used to coat the sticky dough balls, adding a sweet and slightly crisp exterior.
Form Dough Balls: Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll each ball in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture to coat fully. Place the coated dough balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for spreading.
Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops appear dry, indicating they are perfectly baked.
Add Heart Decoration: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press a red heart-shaped sprinkle onto the center of each cookie, gently pressing so it adheres as the cookies cool.
Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely if desired.

Notes

Ensure eggs and butter are at room temperature for the best dough consistency.
Adjust the amount of green gel food coloring to achieve your preferred shade without altering the flavor.
Use peppermint extract for a classic mint flavor, but mint extract can be substituted.
Coating the dough balls in powdered sugar and cornstarch prevents excessive sticking and gives a lovely crackled texture.
Press the heart sprinkles on while cookies are warm to ensure they stick well.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Keywords: Grinch Cookies, Christmas Cookies, Peppermint Cookies, Holiday Treats, Green Cookies, Festive Desserts