If you are searching for a festive and fun dessert to brighten your holiday season, look no further than this Delicious Grinch Cookies with Hershey Kisses Recipe. These vibrant green cookies are not only irresistibly tasty but also incredibly easy to make, combining the sweet vanilla flavor of cake mix with a cheerful pop of red from the Hershey’s Kisses and optional heart sprinkles. Perfect for Christmas parties or a joyful treat with the family, these cookies capture the whimsy of the Grinch character while delivering a soft, melt-in-your-mouth bite that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with these Delicious Grinch Cookies with Hershey Kisses Recipe couldn’t be simpler. Each ingredient plays a crucial role: the cake mix creates a tender texture, the vegetable oil and eggs bring richness, and the green gel food coloring adds that iconic Grinch hue. The powdered sugar coating adds a snowy touch, while the Hershey’s Kisses complete the look and add a delightful chocolate surprise.
- Vanilla or white cake mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): This forms the soft and fluffy base of the cookie, making the baking process quick and foolproof.
- Vegetable oil (â…“ cup): Adds moisture and ensures the cookies stay tender once baked.
- Large eggs (2): Provide structure and help bind the dough together perfectly.
- Mint or vanilla extract (½ teaspoon): A subtle flavor enhancer that blends beautifully with the sweetness of the cake mix.
- Green gel food coloring: The magic behind the Grinch’s signature color, use as much as needed for that perfect festive green.
- Powdered sugar (¼ cup): For rolling the dough balls, creating a light, sweet crust on the outside.
- Hershey’s Kisses (24, unwrapped): These add a classic chocolate center and a pops of color that make the cookies irresistibly charming.
- Red heart sprinkles (optional): A cute finishing touch that echoes the Grinch’s heartwarming change.
How to Make Delicious Grinch Cookies with Hershey Kisses Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies won’t stick and cleanup will be a breeze, setting the stage for a smooth baking experience.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and your choice of mint or vanilla extract. Stir until you get a soft, cohesive dough. Now, add the green gel food coloring bit by bit, mixing thoroughly until you achieve that perfect Grinch-inspired green. This step is fun because you can control exactly how vibrant or subtle your green looks.
Step 3: Shape and Coat
Using a tablespoon, scoop portions of the dough and roll them into neat balls. Next, roll each ball in powdered sugar until it’s evenly coated like a little snowy pearl. Arrange the dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about two inches apart to allow for gentle spreading during baking.
Step 4: Bake and Add Hershey’s Kisses
Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. You want them just set and not browned to keep their soft, cakey texture. Right when they come out of the oven, press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. This warm cookie melts the bottom of the Kiss slightly, securing it beautifully in place.
Step 5: Cool and Decorate
Let the cookies cool on the sheet for about five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This prevents any chance of the Kisses sliding off. If you want to add a little extra festive flair, place a red heart sprinkle atop each Kiss while the cookies are still warm for that perfect holiday pop.
How to Serve Delicious Grinch Cookies with Hershey Kisses Recipe
Garnishes
For a simple yet elegant touch, consider dusting the cookies with a little extra powdered sugar before serving. You can also add miniature edible glitter or more red heart sprinkles to emphasize the playful Grinch theme.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk or a mug of hot cocoa, enhancing the cozy feeling of the holiday season. For a party platter, serve alongside candy canes and other holiday-themed treats to create a colorful and decadent dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting or holiday gatherings, arrange the cookies in festive tins or wrap them individually in clear cellophane tied with a red or green ribbon. You can also stack them in layers separated by parchment paper in a decorative box, making an irresistible holiday gift everyone will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store your Delicious Grinch Cookies with Hershey Kisses Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This keeps them soft and scrumptious, so you can enjoy them throughout the holiday week without losing any of that delightful freshness.
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies ahead of time, freeze the unbaked dough balls in a single layer on a baking sheet first. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time. Baked cookies can also be frozen in airtight containers for up to three months.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked warmth, reheat your cookies in a low oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. If you prefer a quick method, a 10-second zap in the microwave does the trick, but watch carefully so the Hershey’s Kiss doesn’t melt excessively.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! While vanilla or white cake mix is classic, you can experiment with funfetti or even lemon for a twist. Just remember that the green coloring and Hershey’s Kiss centerpiece remain key for the iconic look.
Is there an alternative to Hershey’s Kisses?
You can swap Hershey’s Kisses with small chocolate candies or even red gummy hearts if you prefer. Just choose something small enough to press into the center and that pairs well with the vanilla flavor of the cookie.
How intense is the green coloring in the finished cookies?
The intensity depends on how much green gel food coloring you add. Start small and build up until you achieve the desired bright, festive Grinch green. Gel coloring won’t affect the texture of your cookies, so feel free to be generous.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
If you opt for a gluten-free vanilla cake mix, this recipe can easily be adapted for gluten-free diets. Just double-check each ingredient to ensure it meets your dietary needs.
Why do I roll the dough balls in powdered sugar?
Rolling in powdered sugar creates a lovely, slightly crackled surface on the cookies once baked and adds a gentle sweetness and delicate texture contrast. It also beautifully mimics a dusting of snow, perfect for holiday treats.
Final Thoughts
Nothing brings a smile to the holidays quite like sharing these Delicious Grinch Cookies with Hershey Kisses Recipe. They are a cheerful, simple way to add a burst of color and joy to your cookie platter, and I promise they will become a favorite tradition for your family and friends. So get mixing, baking, and most importantly, indulging in these festive treats that capture the playful spirit of the season!
Print
Delicious Grinch Cookies with Hershey Kisses Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These delightful Grinch Cookies are a festive holiday treat featuring soft, green-tinted vanilla cake mix cookies topped with Hershey’s Kisses. Perfect for Christmas celebrations, these easy-to-make cookies are rolled in powdered sugar for a snowy effect and finished with optional red heart sprinkles to add a dash of holiday charm.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla or white cake mix
- â…“ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon mint or vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring (add to desired color)
For Rolling and Topping
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
- 24 Hershey’s Kisses (unwrapped)
- Red heart sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies do not stick during baking.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and extract. Mix until a soft dough forms. Gradually add green gel food coloring, mixing continuously until you achieve the bright Grinch green color desired.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll each into smooth balls. Then, roll each dough ball in powdered sugar until fully coated, giving the cookies a festive snowy appearance.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until the cookies are just set but have not browned, maintaining a soft texture.
- Add Hershey’s Kisses: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press one unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each warm cookie to adhere.
- Cool and Decorate: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, top each warm kiss with a small red heart sprinkle for extra festive cheer.
Notes
- To prevent the Hershey’s Kisses from melting excessively, chill them before baking.
- Handle the cookies gently and avoid moving them until they are fully cooled to keep the kisses intact.
- Store finished cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days.
