Last updated on
Grinch Cookies
Grinch cookies are soft, festive treats with vibrant green color and candy hearts, perfect for holiday celebrations. This easy recipe brings holiday cheer to your dessert table and makes baking fun for the whole family!
Jump to RecipeTable of Contents
Grinch cookies are the perfect festive treat to brighten your holiday dessert table! These soft, green sugar cookies are topped with a candy heart, bringing Whoville charm to your celebrations. Fun to bake and even more fun to eat, these cookies will make your holiday gatherings extra magical. Whip up a batch today and spread the holiday cheer!
This easy-to-follow recipe includes step-by-step photos and clear directions to guide you. We’ve added pro tips and tricks for perfect cookies every time. Check out the FAQs below for answers to your most common questions!
More Recipes ⭐ Christmas Shortbread Cookies | Christmas Wreath Cookies | Christmas Cookie Bars
Grinch cookies are so quick to make and bring holiday cheer to any party or gathering. Their soft texture and bright green color make them stand out on any dessert table. The adorable candy hearts add a whimsical, festive touch that everyone will love. Perfect for holiday potlucks or baking with kids, these cookies will make your celebration extra special!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- ¾ teaspoon of green gel food coloring
- 1 (17.5-ounce) bag of sugar cookie mix
- ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
- ½ cup of unsalted butter, room temperature
- 18 Hershey’s kisses, unwrapped
- 18 large heart candy sprinkles
Substitutions and Additions
Personalize your Grinch cookies recipe by swapping ingredients and adding fun extras! It's easy to make your cookies uniquely yours. Here are some top substitutions and additions:
Substitute Vanilla Extract: Use almond extract instead of vanilla for a nutty, sweet flavor in your Grinch cookies.
Substitute Candy Hearts: Use red or white chocolate chips instead of candy hearts for a different festive twist.
Change Green Food Coloring: Swap green food coloring with red or blue for a unique take on the cookie theme.
Add Peppermint Extract: Add a few drops of peppermint extract for a refreshing holiday flavor in your cookies.
Add Sprinkles: Sprinkle green, red, or white holiday sprinkles on top for extra festive charm and crunch.
How to Make Grinch Cookies
Follow our step-by-step instructions and pictures to make the best Grinch cookies ever! Check out our tips and tricks below for extra guidance. Let’s get started and bake something festive and fun!
FIRST STEP: Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a mini muffin pan with baker’s spray or line with paper liners, and set aside.
SECOND STEP: In a small bowl, whisk together with a fork the egg and green gel food coloring until the food coloring is thoroughly combined with the beaten egg.
Mixing the food coloring with the egg helps distribute the green gel food coloring much easier and more evenly into the dough.
THIRD STEP: In a large bowl, with a hand mixer on low speed, combine the sugar cookie mix, flour, butter, and egg mixture for two to three minutes or until thoroughly combined. Your dough will be very thick.
FOURTH STEP: Scoop out a ball of dough using a 1½ tablespoon (1½-inch) cookie scoop.
Flatten it into a three-inch disc in your hand.
Place a Hershey’s Kiss into the center and carefully pull the sides up to cover the candy and shape it into a ball.
Pro Tip
Make sure to keep your Hershey’s kiss candy upright when placed into the mini muffin tin to be baked.
FIFTH STEP: Place the cookie dough balls into the muffin tin, making sure that the Hershey’s Kiss is still in the upright position.
Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. Do not let your dough start to get brown. You just want to make sure the center is not raw.
SIXTH STEP: When your Grinch heart cookies come out of the oven, place one red heart sprinkle, offset to the right from the center, onto your cookie cup.
Let them cool in the mini muffin tin for at least ten minutes before removing them to cool completely on a wire rack.
How To Serve Grinch Cookies
Grinch cookies are versatile and perfect for holiday gatherings, winter celebrations, or baking with kids. Serve them for these fun occasions:
- Holiday Parties: Grinch cookies bring bright, festive fun to any holiday party. Pair them with hot chocolate or eggnog for the ultimate treat. Their whimsical design makes them a conversation starter on any dessert table.
- Winter Birthdays: These cookies are a hit for winter birthday parties, especially for kids. Serve them with vanilla cupcakes or fruit punch for a colorful dessert spread.
- Family Baking Days: Make Grinch cookies part of a cozy family baking day. Enjoy them with homemade bark or refreshing iced tea for a delicious treat.
Why You'll Love This Recipe for Grinch Cookies
Grinch cookies are a cherished favorite for these delightful reasons:
- Festive Charm in Every Bite: The bright green cookies and adorable candy hearts add playful holiday magic to your dessert table. These cookies are a showstopper and make baking fun for all ages.
- Perfectly Soft and Sweet: Each cookie delivers a soft, chewy texture with just the right amount of sweetness, making them impossible to resist. The candy hearts provide a touch of crunch that elevates every bite.
- Fun for Families and Kids: Grinch cookies bring families together for joyful baking moments. Kids love decorating them and seeing the Grinch come to life. They’re the perfect addition to your holiday traditions.
Grinch cookies are a beloved favorite because they spread joy, flavor, and festive fun with every batch you bake!
Recipe FAQ
What makes Grinch cookies so soft and chewy?
The butter and sugar create a perfectly soft texture, while the precise baking time ensures they stay chewy and moist.
Can I make Grinch cookies with kids?
Absolutely! Kids will love helping with mixing, adding the green color, and placing candy hearts for a fun family activity.
How do I get the perfect green color for Grinch cookies?
Use high-quality gel food coloring for a vibrant green shade. Add it gradually until you achieve the desired brightness.
Why are candy hearts used in Grinch cookies?
The candy hearts add a sweet, festive touch that represents the Grinch's growing heart, making them perfect for holiday fun.
Serving FAQ
How do I ensure my Grinch cookies don’t spread too much?
Chill the dough for at least thirty minutes before baking to help the cookies hold their shape perfectly.
What type of candy hearts work best for Grinch cookies?
Small red candy hearts work best, as they add a festive look and fit perfectly on each cookie.
Can I make Grinch cookies ahead of time for a holiday party?
Yes, you can prepare the dough a day ahead and bake them fresh on the day of your event.
What’s the best way to achieve the ideal cookie size?
Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough evenly. This ensures the cookies bake uniformly and look consistent.
Storage FAQ
How should I present Grinch cookies at a holiday party?
Arrange them on a festive platter with colorful decorations to make them the centerpiece of your dessert table.
Can I serve Grinch cookies as a gift?
Yes! Package them in clear cellophane bags with ribbons for a thoughtful and festive homemade holiday gift.
Are Grinch cookies a good option for a cookie exchange?
Absolutely! Their bright green color and candy hearts make them stand out and a favorite at any cookie exchange.
What’s the best way to serve Grinch cookies to kids?
Serve them on a holiday-themed plate with fun decorations. Kids will love their playful look and delicious taste!
Grinch Cookies
Grinch cookies are soft, festive treats with vibrant green color and candy hearts, perfect for holiday celebrations. This easy recipe brings holiday cheer to your dessert table and makes baking fun for the whole family!
Did you try this recipe?Let our readers know how it turned out by Leaving a Review!
Ingredients
- 18 Hershey’s kisses (unwrapped)
- 17.5 ounces sugar cookie mix
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ¾ teaspoon green gel food coloring
- 18 large heart candy sprinkles
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a mini muffin pan with baker’s spray, or line with paper cups, and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together, with a fork, the egg and green gel food coloring until the food coloring is thoroughly combined with the beaten egg.
- In a large mixing bowl, with a handheld mixer on low speed, combine the sugar cookie mix, all-purpose flour, unsalted butter and egg mixture for 2 to 3 minutes or until thoroughly combined. Your dough will be very thick.
- Using a 1½ tablespoon (1½-inch ) cookie scoop, scoop out a ball of dough and flatten it into a 3-inch disc in your hand. Place a Hershey’s Kiss into the center and carefully pull the sides up to cover the candy and shape it into a ball. Make sure to keep your Hershey’s kiss candy upright when placed into the mini muffin tin to be baked.
- Place the dough balls into the muffin tin making sure that the Hershey’s kiss is still in the upright position and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Do not let your dough start to get brown. You just want to make sure the center is not raw.
- When your Grinch stuffed cookie cups come out of the oven, place 1 heart sprinkle, offset to the right from the center, onto your cookie cup and let them cool in the mini muffin tin for at least 10 minutes before removing them to cool completely on a wire rack.
Notes
- Mixing the food coloring with the egg helps distribute the green gel food coloring much easier and more evenly into the dough.
- Make sure to keep your Hershey’s kiss candy upright when placed into the mini muffin tin to be baked.
Nutrition
Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 87mg | Potassium: 7mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 171IU | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.3mg
HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?Follow me on Pinterest @bestblogrecipes
Leave a Comment