Grinch Cookies from Cake Mix: The Easiest & Most Festive Christmas Treat!
Get ready to steal Christmas (and hearts!) with these incredibly easy Grinch cookies. Made magically simple with a cake mix base and infused with a whole lot of festive cheer, these vibrant green cookies adorned with tiny candy hearts are guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone’s face. Forget complicated recipes and long chilling times; these delightful treats are all about quick, simple, and utterly delicious holiday baking that even the Grinch himself couldn’t resist. Their charming appearance and delightful flavor make them an instant hit at any holiday gathering, transforming even the grinchiest of moods into pure joy!
Why These Easy Grinch Cookies Will Be Your New Holiday Favorite
These Grinch cookies aren’t just a pretty face; they are a marvel of holiday convenience and deliciousness. Their vibrant green hue, coupled with the iconic red candy heart, perfectly captures the mischievous spirit and eventual heartwarming change of the Grinch. But the magic doesn’t stop at their appearance. This recipe truly shines because it delivers incredible results with minimal effort, making it ideal for even the busiest holiday schedules. You can whip up a batch from start to finish in only about 30 minutes, which is a total game-changer when you have a long list of festive tasks to tackle.
What makes them so quick and easy? The secret lies in using a boxed cake mix as the base. This ingenious shortcut means you don’t have to measure out a dozen different dry ingredients, simplifying the process immensely. Plus, there’s absolutely no need to chill the dough, saving you precious hours that can be spent enjoying the season. The result is a soft, chewy cookie with that signature crinkly, powdered sugar coating that melts in your mouth with every bite.
These cookies are not only perfect for Christmas cookie swaps and festive parties, but they also offer a fantastic opportunity for family bonding. Kids absolutely adore helping with the mixing, coloring, and especially placing those cute little hearts. Imagine popping on “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” or “The Grinch” movie, making a delightful Grinch cocktail for the adults, and letting the little ones join in the baking fun. It’s a tradition in the making, promising laughter, delicious aromas filling your home, and unforgettable memories. Get ready to embrace the joy of holiday baking without the stress!
Gather Your Simple Ingredients for Irresistible Grinch Cookies
One of the many joys of this Grinch cookie recipe is its straightforward ingredient list, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. You won’t need an extensive shopping trip, allowing you to focus on the fun parts of baking! For a complete, printable list of all measurements and detailed instructions, be sure to scroll down to the comprehensive recipe card at the end of this post. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to transform into a Whoville baker and make these magical treats:
- **Yellow Cake Mix:** The foundational hero of these easy cookies, providing a perfect base.
- **Unsalted Butter & Vegetable Oil:** For that perfect tender, moist, and chewy texture that makes these cookies irresistible.
- **Large Eggs:** Essential binders that bring all the ingredients together and add richness.
- **Green Gel Food Coloring:** To achieve the signature, vibrant Grinch green color that stands out!
- **Powdered Sugar & Cornstarch:** This combination creates the delightful crinkly coating and adds a touch of sweetness.
- **Candy Heart Sprinkles:** The iconic “Grinch’s heart” finishing touch, giving each cookie its unique character.
Detailed Ingredient Insights and Handy Substitutions for Perfect Grinch Cookies
To ensure your Grinch cookies turn out perfectly every time, let’s dive a little deeper into the key ingredients and offer some helpful substitution tips. Understanding the role each component plays will empower you to bake with confidence and adapt if needed, ensuring your festive treats are a success.
CAKE MIX – For these delightful cookies, we recommend a standard-sized (15.25 ounce) box of yellow cake mix. Yellow cake mix provides a subtle vanilla base that allows the other flavors to shine through beautifully, and it takes color wonderfully. It also contributes to the super soft and chewy texture of the cookies, making them a joy to eat. If you prefer, a white cake mix works just as well and might even offer a slightly brighter green canvas. While we haven’t tested other flavors like Funfetti or chocolate, feel free to experiment if you’re feeling adventurous – just remember the green might not be as vivid!
HEARTS – The iconic red heart is what truly transforms a green cookie into a Grinch cookie, symbolizing his newfound spirit. Candy heart sprinkles are your go-to and are usually readily available in the baking aisle of most grocery stores, especially during the holiday season. If you can’t find them locally, they are easily purchased online. The trick to getting them to stick perfectly is to place them on the cookies *immediately* after they come out of the oven, while the cookies are still warm and pliable. Gently press them in. If for any reason they don’t adhere well, a tiny dot of frosting (store-bought or homemade) can act as a wonderful “glue.”
- **Substitution Tip for Hearts:** If candy heart sprinkles are elusive, don’t fret! You can use small red heart-shaped candies, readily available in candy shops or online. Another fantastic option is to draw small hearts onto the cooled cookies using red decorator gel (the kind that comes in a tube, perfect for piping). You could also pipe them with a small amount of red-tinted buttercream or royal icing. As a last resort, even a single red M&M or a small red sugar pearl gently pressed onto the center can convey the festive Grinch spirit!
FOOD COLORING – Achieving that perfect Grinch green is crucial for the visual impact! We highly recommend using green gel food coloring over liquid food coloring. Gel colors are much more concentrated and will give you a vibrant, rich green without significantly altering the dough’s consistency, which liquid colors can sometimes do. Start with about 1/4 teaspoon and mix thoroughly. Gradually add more, a tiny drop at a time, until you reach your desired shade of Grinch green. Remember, it’s always easier to add more color than to try and lighten it!
BUTTER & OIL – The combination of softened unsalted butter and vegetable oil is key to the exceptional texture of these cookies. Butter provides rich flavor and helps with browning, contributing to a golden hue on the underside of the cookies. The vegetable oil, on the other hand, contributes to a wonderfully soft and chewy crumb, preventing the cookies from becoming too dry or crumbly. Ensure your butter is softened, but not melted, for optimal mixing and dough consistency.
EGGS – Large eggs act as essential binders and add crucial moisture to the cookie dough, creating structure and helping the cookies rise slightly for that appealing puffed appearance. They also contribute to the overall richness and tender crumb of the finished cookie.
POWDERED SUGAR & CORNSTARCH – This dynamic duo creates the signature crinkly, slightly cracked exterior of these cookies, giving them a delightful texture and aesthetic. The powdered sugar provides sweetness and that classic powdery finish, while the cornstarch helps absorb excess moisture, contributing to a softer texture and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also significantly enhances the beautiful “crinkle” effect as they bake, making them look even more professional.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Magical Grinch Cookies with Ease
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe effortlessly. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and detailed instructions at the bottom of this post.
- **Prepare Your Baking Station:** Begin your festive baking journey by preheating your oven to a perfect 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking trays with parchment paper or high-quality silicone baking mats. This initial step is crucial for preventing the cookies from sticking, ensuring easy removal, and making your cleanup virtually effortless – a truly stress-free start to your holiday baking!
- **Mix the Vibrant Dough Base:** In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, vegetable oil, large eggs, and the entire contents of your 15.25-ounce yellow cake mix. Using a handheld electric beater (or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment), mix these ingredients thoroughly until a smooth, well-combined dough forms. Next, add your green gel food coloring. Start with a conservative 1/4 teaspoon and beat it in. Continue to add more drops as needed, mixing after each addition, until you achieve that perfect, unmistakable Grinch green shade, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the dough for consistent color.
- **Prepare the Crinkle Coating:** In a separate, shallow bowl (a pie plate or a wide, shallow dish works perfectly), combine the powdered sugar and cornstarch. Whisk them together thoroughly until they are well mixed and lump-free. This powdery blend is what gives our Grinch cookies their beautiful crinkly exterior and delicate sweetness, mimicking a light dusting of snow.
- **Coat and Arrange the Cookies:** Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the bright green dough directly into the powdered sugar/cornstarch mixture. Roll each dough ball thoroughly to ensure it’s completely coated. This coating will create that lovely white “snow” effect contrasting the green, and is essential for the crinkle appearance. Place the coated dough balls onto your prepared baking trays, ensuring you leave a good couple of inches between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking without them merging together.
- **Bake to Perfection:** Transfer the trays to your preheated oven and bake for approximately 8 to 10 minutes. The cookies are ready when they are nicely puffed up and set along the edges, though they might still appear slightly soft in the very center – this is normal, as they will firm up as they cool. If you’re baking multiple trays simultaneously, remember to rotate them halfway through the baking time to ensure even baking and consistent results across all your batches.
- **Add the Grinch’s Heart:** This step is absolutely key for achieving the signature Grinch look and bringing your cookies to life! As soon as you pull the hot cookies from the oven, very carefully (remember the trays are hot!), place one candy heart onto the center of each warm cookie. Gently press it in. The residual heat from the freshly baked cookies will slightly melt the candy, helping it adhere perfectly as the cookies cool and creating a seamless, charming finish.
- **Cool and Enjoy:** Allow the cookies to cool on the baking trays for about 5 minutes. This brief cooling period helps them firm up and set before you move them, preventing breakage. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. Once cooled, they’re ready to be devoured, shared with loved ones, or packaged as delightful homemade gifts.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Baking Tips for Flawless Grinch Cookies
To maintain their delicious freshness and signature soft, chewy texture, store your cooled Grinch cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Placed correctly, they will remain wonderfully fresh for up to 4 days. This makes them perfect for preparing a few days in advance of your holiday celebrations, cookie swaps, or simply enjoying throughout the week as a festive snack.
Absolutely! These Grinch cookies are fantastic for freezing, which is a brilliant way to get a head start on your holiday baking or save some for later. You can freeze them both baked and unbaked:
- **To freeze unbaked dough balls:** First, form the dough balls as instructed (but do NOT roll them in the powdered sugar coating yet). Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they don’t touch. Flash freeze them for about 1-2 hours until they are solid. Once frozen solid, transfer the dough balls to a large freezer-safe zip-top bag or an airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough balls rest at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes as your oven preheats. Then, roll them in the powdered sugar/cornstarch mixture and bake as directed in the recipe.
- **To freeze baked cookies:** Allow the freshly baked cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once fully cooled, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze for 1-2 hours until firm. This prevents them from sticking together. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container, placing layers of parchment paper between cookies if stacking. Thaw them at room temperature for an hour or two before serving. They will retain their quality for up to 1 month.
Candy heart sprinkles are often available year-round in the baking aisle of most grocery stores, especially near other holiday-themed sprinkles. However, if they are out of stock or prove difficult to find, don’t let that stop your Grinch cookie mission! Here are some excellent, equally festive alternatives:
- **Other Heart-Shaped Candies:** Look for small, red, heart-shaped candies in the candy aisle or seasonal sections. Many small hard candies or gummies come in heart shapes.
- **Red Decorator Gel:** You can easily draw small, charming hearts onto the cooled cookies using red decorator gel that comes in a tube. This method offers great precision and allows for a custom touch.
- **Red-Tinted Frosting:** Pipe small hearts using a piping bag (or even a small zip-top bag with one corner snipped off) filled with a tiny bit of red-tinted buttercream or royal icing. This adds a lovely homemade touch.
- **Red M&M’s or Sugar Pearls:** For a simpler but still wonderfully festive look, gently press a single red M&M or a small red sugar pearl onto the center of each cookie immediately after baking. It will still achieve that recognizable, heartwarming Grinch touch!
One of the absolute best aspects of this recipe, and a huge time-saver, is that there is absolutely no need to chill the dough for these Grinch cookies! While many cookie recipes require chilling to prevent spreading and maintain shape, thanks to the cake mix base and the specific proportions of wet and dry ingredients, this dough is designed to be baked immediately. It will be slightly sticky and soft, which is perfectly normal and exactly what contributes to the final soft, chewy texture and the delightful crinkle effect. Handling it is easy: simply use a cookie scoop to portion it directly into the powdered sugar/cornstarch mixture and roll it around to coat. This eliminates extra steps and saves you valuable time, making holiday baking much more enjoyable and efficient!
Yes, absolutely! These Grinch cookies are perfect for making in advance, which is a huge benefit during the busy holiday season. You can bake them up to 2-3 days before your event and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. For even longer preparation, consider freezing the baked cookies as described in the freezing tip above. They hold their flavor and soft texture exceptionally well, making them an ideal choice for holiday parties, school events, and cookie swaps where freshness and convenience are key.
For perfectly uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professional, a cookie scoop is your absolute best friend. The recipe specifically calls for a 1-tablespoon scoop, which helps ensure each cookie is the same size and weight. This consistency is vital not only for a beautiful presentation but also for guaranteeing consistent baking times across the entire batch, preventing some cookies from being under or over-baked. This simple tool will make your cookie-making process much smoother and yield picture-perfect results every time!
Delightful Ways to Serve Your Magical Grinch Cookies This Holiday Season
These whimsical Grinch cookies are incredibly versatile and perfect for a variety of holiday occasions. Their bright green color and cheerful red heart instantly elevate any festive setting, making them a centerpiece of joy. Here are some delightful and creative ways to serve and enjoy them, spreading cheer to all who partake:
- **For Santa’s Plate:** Legend has it that Santa himself is quite fond of these Grinch cookies! Leave a plate out on Christmas Eve with a tall glass of cold milk – if you dare! It’s a fun tradition that kids (and adults!) will love.
- **Holiday Gatherings & Cookie Swaps:** Be the absolute star of any Christmas party or cookie exchange. Their unique look, irresistible soft texture, and delicious flavor will make them stand out amongst traditional holiday treats. They are a guaranteed conversation starter and a crowd-pleaser!
- **Cozy Movie Nights:** What’s better than snuggling up on the couch with loved ones to watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” or another cherished holiday classic? A warm plate of these freshly baked Grinch cookies makes the experience even more magical and memorable.
- **With Festive Drinks:**
- Pair them with a classic tall glass of cold milk for a comforting and timeless treat that everyone enjoys.
- For a truly indulgent and warming experience, serve them alongside rich, homemade crockpot hot chocolate topped generously with whipped cream and festive sprinkles.
- For the adults looking for a bit of holiday cheer, a festive Grinch cocktail creates a perfectly themed pairing that captures the whimsical spirit of the season.
- **As Thoughtful Edible Gifts:** Arrange these charming cookies beautifully in a decorative tin, a clear cellophane bag tied with a festive ribbon, or a small gift box. They make thoughtful, personalized, and homemade gifts for teachers, neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family, showing you put a little extra love into their holiday.
- **Dessert Platter Addition:** Include them on a larger holiday dessert platter alongside other favorite Christmas treats like gingerbread men, sugar cookies, and shortbread. Their vibrant green will add a delightful pop of color and visual interest.
Explore More Festive Christmas Cookie Recipes for Your Holiday Baking!
The holiday season is synonymous with baking, and if you’ve enjoyed making these easy and magical Grinch cookies, you’ll love exploring other delightful recipes to fill your cookie jar and festive treat platters. Expand your baking repertoire and impress your guests with these other festive favorites from our kitchen:
- Irresistible Eggnog Cookies
- Warm & Cozy Hot Cocoa Cookies
- Refreshing Peppermint Cookies
- Classic Gingerbread Cookies
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Grinch Cookies
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened but not melted
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix
- green gel food coloring
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 36 candy heart sprinkles
Things You’ll Need
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Baking sheets
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Hand mixer
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Mixing bowls
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1 Tablespoon cookie scoop
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Wire cooling racks
Before You Begin
- We used a standard-sized (15.25 ounce) box of yellow cake mix to make these cookies. You can substitute with white cake mix if preferred.
- You can typically find candy heart sprinkles in the baking aisle of most grocery stores, or you can purchase them online. If you work quickly (but carefully) and place these on the cookies right after they’re done baking, they stick very well. However, if you’re having trouble with it, you can use a little bit of frosting as “glue” to adhere them.
- If you can’t seem to find heart sprinkles then you can substitute with another heart-shaped candy or easily draw the hearts on yourself with red decorator gel (or pipe them on with red tinted frosting). If all else fails, you can dot the top of the cookies with red M&M’s and still get that festive Grinch look.
- Use green gel food color to find your perfect shade of Grinch green. Start with 1/4 teaspoon and work your way up from there if needed. I highly suggest using gel food coloring over liquid food coloring as the colors are much more vibrant in baked goods.
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350F. Line 2 large baking trays with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
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Add the butter, oil, eggs, and cake mix to a large bowl. Use a handheld electric beater to mix well. Add the green gel food coloring and beat it in.
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Add the powdered sugar and cornstarch to a shallow bowl and mix to combine.
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Use a 1-tablespoon scoop to measure out the dough and scoop it directly into the bowl of powdered sugar/cornstarch. Roll the dough ball around to coat, and then place it on the prepared baking tray. Leave a couple of inches between cookies so they have room to spread out.
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Bake until the cookies are puffed and set along the outside, about 8 to 10 minutes. If you’re cooking multiple trays at the same time, flip them once halfway through.
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As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, very carefully (the trays are hot!) place 1 candy heart onto each cookie, gently pressing it in.
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Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the trays, and then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Store the cooled cookies in an air-tight container kept at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- To Freeze – To freeze the unbaked dough balls, place them on a baking sheet and flash freeze until solid (without the powdered sugar coating). Once solid, transfer the balls to a large ziptop bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Allow the dough balls to rest at room temperature as you preheat the oven. Roll the balls in the powdered sugar/cornstarch mixture and bake as directed.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.