Grinch Cookies Recipe
Introduction
These festive Grinch Cookies are a fun and easy treat perfect for holiday celebrations. Soft, chewy, and brightly colored with neon green food coloring, they capture the playful spirit of the season. A sweet red heart on top adds the perfect finishing touch.
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix
- 8 ounces Cool Whip (thawed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon neon green gel food coloring (more as needed)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- Red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, thawed Cool Whip, egg, and neon green gel food coloring. Mix gently with a rubber spatula until just combined.
- Step 3: Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, scoop balls of the sticky cookie dough and place them into a bowl of powdered sugar. Roll each ball in the powdered sugar to coat evenly.
- Step 4: Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 13 minutes, until the edges are firm and the tops of the cookies appear set.
- Step 6: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a red heart sprinkle onto the center of each cookie so it sticks.
- Step 7: Let the cookies cool completely on the sheet pan before serving. This helps them set and makes them easier to handle.
Tips & Variations
- If you want a more intense green color, add the gel food coloring a little at a time until you reach your desired shade.
- Feel free to swap helium green gel food coloring with any other vibrant holiday color for a different look.
- For extra festive flair, try adding a touch of peppermint extract to the dough for a wintery twist.
Storage
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them fresh longer, you can refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for several weeks. If frozen, allow cookies to thaw at room temperature before serving. Reheating is not necessary but can be done briefly in a microwave if desired.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cake mix?
Yes, you can use any white or vanilla cake mix as a base for these cookies. Be aware that flavor and color intensity might vary slightly.
Why do the cookies need to be rolled in powdered sugar?
Rolling the sticky dough in powdered sugar prevents the cookies from sticking to your hands and helps create a delicate, slightly crisp outer coating during baking.
PrintGrinch Cookies Recipe
These festive Grinch Cookies are a fun and colorful treat perfect for the holiday season. Made with a simple white cake mix base and bright neon green gel food coloring, these soft and chewy cookies are coated in powdered sugar for a snowy appearance and topped with red heart sprinkles to embody the Christmas spirit. Easy to prepare and bake, they bring a playful touch inspired by the beloved Christmas character.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-13 minutes
- Total Time: 22-23 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix
- 8 ounces Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon neon green gel food coloring (add more if needed for desired color)
Coating and Decoration
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- Red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, thawed Cool Whip, large egg, and neon green gel food coloring. Use a rubber spatula to mix everything just until the ingredients are evenly combined without overmixing.
- Sugar Coat the Dough: Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, scoop balls of the sticky cookie dough and roll each ball in a bowl of powdered sugar to thoroughly coat them. This helps with texture and appearance once baked.
- Arrange Cookies: Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet with about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 12-13 minutes until the edges are firm and the tops look set. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft and chewy.
- Decorate: Immediately after removing from the oven, press one red heart sprinkle onto the top of each cookie so it adheres while the cookie is still warm.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving to let them set properly and make handling easier.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of neon green gel food coloring to achieve your preferred shade of green.
- Be careful not to overbake to ensure the cookies remain soft and moist.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and easy cleanup.
- These cookies are great for holiday parties or as a fun baking project with kids.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Keywords: Grinch cookies, Christmas cookies, holiday cookies, green cookies, festive desserts, cake mix cookies, easy Christmas treats
