These Grinch Cookies are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Their bright green color and cute red heart make them perfect for themed parties, cookie exchanges, or just cozy holiday baking days. The recipe uses basic ingredients, comes together quickly, and doesn’t require any rolling or cutting, making it ideal for beginner bakers and families with kids.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt
Unsalted butter, softened
Granulated sugar
Egg
Vanilla extract
Green food coloring
Red heart candies or red cinnamon imperials
Optional: powdered sugar for rolling
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
Add green food coloring, a few drops at a time, until you reach a bright Grinchy green.
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls.
Optional: roll each ball in powdered sugar for a frosted appearance.
Place dough balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 8–10 minutes, just until the edges are set (do not overbake).
Immediately press a red heart candy into the center of each warm cookie.
Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 24 cookies. Prep time: 15 minutes Bake time: 10 minutes Cooling time: 10 minutes Total time: 35 minutes
Variations
Add flavor: Mix in a little peppermint or almond extract for a different twist.
Use cake mix: Substitute the dry ingredients with a vanilla cake mix for a quicker version.
Add white chocolate chips: Stir in ½ cup for an extra touch of sweetness.
Frost them: Top with a swirl of buttercream or a drizzle of white chocolate.
Make them crispy: Flatten the dough slightly before baking for thinner, crispier cookies.
Storage/Reheating
Store Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To freeze, place baked cookies in a single layer in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper, for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. No reheating is necessary.
FAQs
Can I use gel food coloring instead of liquid?
Yes, gel food coloring works well and gives a more vibrant green with less liquid added.
What kind of red heart candy should I use?
Red heart sprinkles, cinnamon imperials, or small candy hearts are all great choices. Choose one that won’t melt too much when pressed into the warm cookie.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just bring to room temperature before baking.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, shape the dough into balls and freeze them on a tray. Once frozen, transfer to a bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
How do I make them gluten-free?
Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for similar results.
Can I add sprinkles?
Absolutely! Green, red, or white sprinkles can be added to the dough or rolled on the outside before baking.
What makes them soft and chewy?
Creaming the butter and sugar well, not overbaking, and not overmixing the dough all contribute to that soft, chewy texture.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, this recipe can be easily doubled for a larger batch—perfect for cookie exchanges or holiday parties.
Do I need to chill the dough?
No chilling is required for this recipe, but if your dough feels too soft or sticky, chilling for 20–30 minutes will help.
What do I do if I don’t have red heart candies?
Use a red M&M, a red dot of icing, or simply skip the candy—it will still be delicious and festive.
Conclusion
Grinch Cookies are a playful and colorful way to celebrate the holiday season. With their soft centers, festive green hue, and signature red hearts, they bring a little extra cheer to your cookie plate. Whether you’re baking with kids or preparing for a holiday party, this simple recipe guarantees smiles and sweet memories.
Grinch Cookies are soft, chewy, and vibrantly green sugar cookies topped with a signature red candy heart. Inspired by the beloved holiday character, these festive cookies are perfect for Christmas parties, cookie swaps, and holiday baking with kids.
Ingredients
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Green food coloring (gel or liquid)
24 red heart candies (or red cinnamon imperials, M&Ms, or similar)
Optional: powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Add green food coloring a few drops at a time until the desired bright green color is reached.
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Optionally, roll each ball in powdered sugar.
Place dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just set (do not overbake).
Immediately press a red heart candy into the center of each warm cookie.
Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
No chilling required, but if dough is too soft, chill for 20–30 minutes.Dough can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.Use gel food coloring for more vibrant green with less liquid.Freeze baked cookies or unbaked dough balls for up to 2 months.Make them your own by adding white chocolate chips, sprinkles, or a swirl of frosting.
