Description
These festive Grinch Cookies are soft, chewy vanilla cake mix cookies dyed vibrant green and coated in a sweet powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture. Topped with heart-shaped or red candy sprinkles to represent the Grinch’s heart, these cookies are perfect for holiday celebrations or any fun occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- â…“ cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- Green food coloring, to desired color
Coating
- â…“ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
Topping
- Heart sprinkles or small red sprinkles, M&M’s, or Skittles
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃). Line two cookie sheets or baking pans with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix coating ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. Set this mixture aside; it will be used to coat the dough balls before baking.
- Make the cookie dough: In a large bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, softened unsalted butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Using a handheld mixer, blend everything until the mixture is well combined and thick. Add green food coloring gradually until you reach your desired shade of green.
- Shape and coat the dough: Use a cookie scoop or two spoons to form dough balls about 1½ inches in diameter. The dough will be soft and sticky. Roll each dough ball gently but thoroughly in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture, coating them fully. Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between each cookie to allow room for spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Halfway through baking, rotate the cookie sheets to ensure even cooking. The cookies should puff up and have edges that feel firm to the touch when done.
- Add the topping: As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, press a heart-shaped sprinkle or a small red candy (like M&M’s or Skittles) gently into the center of each cookie. Placing the candy in a crack helps it stick and stay in place.
- Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Note that as they cool, the cookies will deflate and flatten slightly, which is normal.
- Serve and enjoy: Once fully cooled, serve your charming Grinch Cookies and enjoy their soft, sweet, and festive flavor perfect for holiday celebrations.
Notes
- The dough will be very thick and sticky; chilling it briefly can help if it’s tough to handle.
- Use room temperature eggs and butter for easier blending and better texture.
- Rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar and cornstarch prevents them from sticking and creates a nice crackled surface.
- Be careful not to overbake; cookies should be soft in the center with firm edges.
- Feel free to substitute the heart sprinkles with any small red candy for the topping.
