If you’re looking to bring some festive cheer and a burst of color to your holiday baking, this Grinch Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. These vibrant green cookies, kissed with a sweet red heart right in the center, capture the playful spirit of the season perfectly. Each bite is soft, buttery, and just the right balance of simple sweetness, making these cookies irresistible for kids and adults alike. Whether you’re baking with family or need a charming treat for your holiday party, these Grinch Cookies are guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is the first step to baking these delightful cookies. The list is simple, but each item plays an essential role—from the creamy butter that ensures tenderness to the green gel food coloring, which gives these cookies their iconic Grinch hue.
- Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup, softened for that perfect creamy base ensuring the cookies stay soft and moist.
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup to provide the ideal sweetness that makes every bite joyful.
- Large egg: 1, which helps bind the dough and enriches the texture effortlessly.
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon for a subtle warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
- All-purpose flour: 1 1/2 cups, the structural hero that gives the cookies their shape.
- Baking powder: 1/2 teaspoon, to give a gentle lift without overpowering the softness.
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon, just enough to highlight the sweetness and balance flavors.
- Green gel food coloring: a few drops, essential to achieve that festive Grinch green color that really pops.
- Red heart sprinkles or candies: 24, to add that charming and symbolic red heart touch on each cookie.
How to Make Grinch Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper ensures the cookies release effortlessly after baking and keeps them perfectly shaped. This simple preparation step sets you up for success.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the dough, making your cookies tender and fluffy rather than dense.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is well combined. These ingredients bind the dough and add richness, bringing out the cookie’s classic buttery flavor.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined to avoid overmixing, which keeps the cookies soft and delicate.
Step 5: Add Green Gel Food Coloring
Stir in a few drops of green gel food coloring, mixing gently but thoroughly, until the dough is evenly colored a bright, festive green. The gel coloring gives you that vibrant Grinch look without affecting the dough’s texture.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place each one about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, watching carefully so the edges just set but don’t brown—this ensures your cookies stay soft with a delicate crumb.
Step 7: Add the Red Hearts
Right after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press a red heart sprinkle into the center of each cookie while they’re still warm. This step adds both a pop of color and a sweet, symbolic touch reflecting the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes!
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cookies firm up a bit while keeping their soft texture intact.
How to Serve Grinch Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Grinch Cookies recipe, add a sprinkle of powdered sugar dusted lightly over the top to mimic a snowy effect. You might also melt a little white chocolate and drizzle it on for extra sweetness and a whimsical flair.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of hot cocoa or a glass of cold milk, perfect for cozying up on chilly days. For a festive spread, serve alongside other holiday treats like peppermint bark or gingerbread cookies for a colorful cookie platter.
Creative Ways to Present
Use a holiday-themed plate or a red and green serving tray to make your Grinch Cookies pop visually. Wrapping them in clear cellophane tied with a red ribbon also makes a heartwarming gift for neighbors, teachers, or friends who could use a little festive joy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your fresh batch, store leftover Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and fresh for up to five days, perfect for snacking or sharing throughout the holiday week.
Freezing
You can freeze the dough itself by shaping the dough balls, placing them on a tray to freeze individually, and then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to bake, no need to thaw—just add a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
If you prefer your cookies warm, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a low oven for a few minutes to recapture that just-baked softness and delicious warmth without over-drying.
FAQs
Can I use regular liquid food coloring instead of gel?
While regular liquid food coloring can work, gel food colorings are more concentrated and won’t affect the dough’s consistency. Using gel ensures a vibrant green color without making the dough too wet.
What if I don’t have red heart sprinkles?
You can substitute with small red candy pieces, red M&M’s, or even a tiny dollop of red icing. The goal is to have that festive red heart accent that’s both visual and tasty.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
The classic Grinch Cookies recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can substitute with a gluten-free flour blend, but watch the texture carefully as it might turn out slightly different.
How do I get the cookies soft instead of crunchy?
Be careful not to overbake; as soon as the edges are set and the centers look just done, it’s time to pull them out. Also, using a good amount of butter and not over-mixing keeps these cookies nice and tender.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day or two in advance and keep it refrigerated. Just bring it back to room temperature before shaping and baking for the best results.
Final Thoughts
This Grinch Cookies Recipe is such a cheerful way to add some whimsy and warmth to your holiday baking. The vibrant color, the sweet heart detail, and the soft buttery texture come together beautifully in a recipe that’s simple, fun, and utterly delicious. I can’t wait for you to try making these with your loved ones—they’re sure to become a festive favorite in your kitchen, just like they are in mine!
Print
Grinch Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these festive Grinch Cookies, vibrant green sugar cookies topped with adorable red heart sprinkles. Perfectly soft and slightly chewy, these holiday treats bring color and cheer to any party or gift bag.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Green gel food coloring, a few drops
- 24 red heart sprinkles or candies
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated into the creamed mixture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to form the cookie dough.
- Add Color: Stir in several drops of green gel food coloring, mixing until the dough is evenly colored a bright green.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet, leaving room for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are just set but the centers remain soft. Avoid overbaking to keep them tender.
- Add Sprinkles: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press a red heart sprinkle or candy into the center of each warm cookie.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Do not overbake; cookies will be soft when hot but firm up as they cool.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant color without altering dough consistency.
- Heart sprinkles add a festive touch but can be substituted with any small candy decorations.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake and allow to cool on the baking tray.
