Grinch Cookies

These easy Grinch cookies are made with cake mix and a whole lot of love – who would have thought! A pinch of green and candy heart sprinkles brings vibrancy and life to these festive Christmas cookies.

Why this recipe works

Grinch cookies are made to look just like the Grinch with a green base and the classic red heart. They come together quickly in only 30 minutes total and are a super fun addition to Christmas cookie swaps and parties. There’s no need for chilling the dough or measuring out a ton of different ingredients for these cookies thanks to the help of boxed cake mix and a powdered sugar coating.

The kids will love helping make them so pop the movie on, whip up a Grinch cocktail for the adults, and let’s get baking!

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

CAKE MIX – 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.

HEARTS – 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.

FOOD COLORING – 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.

How to Make Grinch Cookies

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line 2 large baking trays with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. 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.
3. Add the powdered sugar and cornstarch to a shallow bowl and mix to combine.
4. Use a 1-tablespoon cookie 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the trays, and then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Store the cooled cookies in an air-tight container kept at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Yes, you can freeze these cookies both baked and unbaked. 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.

Candy heart sprinkles are usually on shelves in grocery stores year-round in the baking aisle next to the other sprinkles. If you can’t seem to find them 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.

There’s no need to chill the dough for these Grinch cookies. The dough will be sticky and soft, but that’s what we want! It’s easy to handle if you scoop it directly into the powdered sugar/cornstarch mixture and roll it around to coat.

Serving Suggestions

Leave your Grinch cookies out on Christmas night for Santa, if you dare! Or bake them for holiday parties, cookie swaps, or a cozy night in watching Christmas movies. Serve with a tall glass of milk, crockpot hot chocolate, or a festive Grinch cocktail for the adults.

More Christmas Cookie Recipes

• Eggnog Cookies
• Hot Cocoa Cookies
• Peppermint Cookies
• Gingerbread Cookies

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