If you are looking for a festive, fun, and utterly delicious treat to brighten up your holiday gatherings, the Grinch Crinkle Cookies Recipe is just the thing to make your cookie platter sparkle. These charming green cookies, dusted with powdered sugar and topped with a sweet jumbo heart sprinkle, are not only stunning to look at but also soft, chewy, and packed with flavor. Inspired by the playful spirit of the Grinch, this recipe combines simple ingredients with a splash of creativity to deliver a batch of cookies that will steal the show and maybe even a few hearts along the way.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is how straightforward and accessible the ingredients are, yet each one plays a vital role in creating those signature crinkle-top cookies with vibrant green color and irresistible texture. From the boxed cake mix base to the finishing touches, here is what you’ll need to make these festive treats come to life.
- Vanilla or yellow cake mix: This forms the soft, tender cookie foundation with great flavor and easy handling.
- Oil: Adds moisture for that perfect chewy bite without overpowering the taste.
- Eggs: Bind everything together while contributing to the richness.
- Green food coloring: Gives the cookies their iconic Grinch hue — be generous for that eye-catching look!
- Powdered sugar: For rolling the dough balls, it creates the classic crackled, snowy effect on top.
- Jumbo heart sprinkles: The whimsical finishing touch representing the Grinch’s newly found heart!
How to Make Grinch Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lining a few baking sheets with parchment paper. This helps the cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking, setting you up for success right from the start.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the dry cake mix, oil, and eggs. Beat them on medium speed for about two minutes until the mixture becomes smooth and homogenous. This step ensures your dough has the ideal consistency for rolling and baking.
Step 3: Add the Green Food Coloring
Next, stir in green food coloring to the dough until you reach that festive, vibrant shade the Grinch is famous for. Don’t be shy here — the stronger the color, the more playful and festive your cookies will look.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Transfer the dough to the fridge for about an hour, or pop it in the freezer for roughly 30 minutes if you’re short on time. Cooling the dough prevents excessive spreading during baking and makes it easier to handle.
Step 5: Shape and Coat with Powdered Sugar
Once chilled, scoop out dough balls approximately the size of a golf ball, then roll each one generously in powdered sugar. This coating leads to the signature crinkled appearance as the cookies bake and spread.
Step 6: Bake and Add the Heart Sprinkles
Space the dough balls about two inches apart on your baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges will firm up, and the centers will lose their shiny, raw look. Right when they come out of the oven, press a jumbo heart sprinkle into the upper right corner of each cookie — it’s like the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes in an instant!
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Allow your cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about five minutes so they set completely. Then gently transfer them to a wire rack or plate to cool fully. This resting time helps preserve their perfect soft texture and makes handling easier.
How to Serve Grinch Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance the festive look of these cookies with additional garnishes like a light dusting of extra powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate for a snowy effect. You could even freeze-dry some crushed peppermint pieces for a hint of minty crunch, which pairs wonderfully with the sweet vanilla base.
Side Dishes
Serve these crinkle cookies alongside a warm cup of eggnog, hot cocoa, or your favorite holiday latte. Their softness and sweetness perfectly complement cozy drinks, making for a heartwarming seasonal snack experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun and festive presentation, arrange your Grinch Crinkle Cookies Recipe on a decorative platter with sprigs of pine, red berries, or mini ornaments. Wrapping a few in cellophane bags tied with bright red ribbons also makes a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Grinch Crinkle Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and fresh for up to five days, making it easy to enjoy the festive goodness even after the initial baking session.
Freezing
If you want to keep these cookies longer or make them ahead for an event, freezing works great. Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep well for up to three months.
Reheating
To enjoy frozen cookies, let them thaw at room temperature or warm them gently in a 300-degree oven for about 5 minutes to return that fresh-baked softness and warmth.
FAQs
Can I use a different color food coloring for these cookies?
Absolutely! While green gives the cookies their iconic Grinch look, feel free to get creative with any color you like to match your occasion or mood.
What can I substitute for the cake mix if I want to make these from scratch?
Though this recipe is designed for convenience with cake mix, you can make a similar dough from scratch using flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract. Just be prepared for a slightly different texture.
Why do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Chilling firms up the dough, which helps prevent cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also makes the dough easier to handle and helps develop richer flavors.
Can I use regular sugar instead of powdered sugar for rolling?
Powdered sugar is preferred because it creates the classic crackled appearance on the cookies; granulated sugar won’t melt the same way and may lead to a different texture.
How long do these cookies keep best?
Stored properly in an airtight container, your Grinch Crinkle Cookies will stay fresh and delicious for up to five days at room temperature.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about the Grinch Crinkle Cookies Recipe — from the playful green color to the sweet heart on top, this recipe brings festive cheer with every bite. Easy to make and even easier to love, these cookies are bound to become a holiday tradition. So grab your ingredients, invite a friend or family member to join in the fun, and get ready to bake up some unforgettable memories!
Print
Grinch Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
Description
These festive Grinch Crinkle Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with holiday cheer. Made from a simple cake mix base colored bright green and rolled in powdered sugar, these cookies perfectly combine ease and fun. Topped with a charming jumbo heart sprinkle, they’re ideal for Christmas parties or gifting.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box vanilla or yellow cake mix
- ½ cup oil
- 2 eggs
- Green food coloring (quantity as needed for desired color)
For Rolling and Topping
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
- Jumbo heart sprinkles (for decorating)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside to use later.
- Make the Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the dry cake mix, oil, and eggs. Mix on medium speed for about two minutes until the batter is smooth and well incorporated.
- Add Green Food Coloring: Gradually add green food coloring to the dough and mix until you achieve your preferred festive shade of green.
- Chill the Dough: Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour or in the freezer for about 30 minutes. The dough should be cool to the touch and no longer sticky, which makes it easier to handle.
- Form and Roll Cookies: Scoop out golf-ball sized portions of dough and roll each ball generously in powdered sugar. Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about two inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Cookies are ready when the edges are set and the centers have lost their shiny appearance.
- Add Heart Sprinkles: Immediately after baking, gently press a jumbo heart sprinkle onto the upper right corner of each cookie to resemble the location of the heart on the Grinch’s body.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. The cookies will continue to set as they cool.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of green food coloring depending on how vibrant you want your cookies.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Chilling the dough helps control spreading and makes the rolling in powdered sugar easier.
- For extra festive fun, use other Christmas-themed sprinkles or decorations.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
