Description
These festive Grinch Cookies are a delightful holiday treat featuring a soft, cake-mix based dough infused with peppermint and vanilla extracts, colored bright green, and topped with a charming red heart-shaped sprinkle. Perfectly sweet and minty, these cookies are easy to make, fun to bake, and guaranteed to add a playful touch to your Christmas cookie platter.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix (432 g box)
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract (or mint extract)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- green gel food coloring (to desired color)
Coating & Decoration
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (32 g)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Mix Dough Ingredients: Using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer, combine the white cake mix, softened butter, and eggs. Beat until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Add Flavors and Color: Incorporate the peppermint or mint extract and vanilla extract into the dough. Add green gel food coloring a little at a time until you achieve your preferred vibrant green color. Mix on low speed just until everything is evenly combined. The batter will be thick and sticky.
- Prepare Coating Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. This mixture will help coat the sticky dough balls for easier handling and a slight textured finish.
- Shape and Coat Cookies: Using a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the dough into balls. Roll each ball in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture thoroughly to coat. Place the coated dough balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops of the cookies appear dry but not browned.
- Add Decorations: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Immediately press a red heart-shaped sprinkle or cinnamon heart gently into the center of each cookie so it adheres while the cookies are still warm and soft.
- Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up slightly. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving to ensure the perfect texture.
Notes
- These easy Grinch Cookies are perfect for holiday cookie exchanges and decorate beautifully on dessert tables.
- Using gel food coloring helps achieve a vivid green color without thinning the dough.
- For an extra minty kick, add crushed peppermint candies on top before baking.
- Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 93 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
