If you’ve ever wanted a fun, festive treat that bursts with color and flavor, then this Easy Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is absolutely for you. These vibrant green cookies are not only simple to whip up but also delightfully soft and sweet with a touch of holiday whimsy. Perfect for gatherings, gift-giving, or just brightening up your day, this recipe combines the convenience of a boxed cake mix with a creative twist that brings those iconic Grinch vibes straight to your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients together for these cookies is a breeze, and each one plays an important role in achieving that soft texture, vibrant green shade, and perfect sweetness. From the richness of butter to the fun pop of red heart candies, you’ll see how simple staples come together magically.
- ¼ cup powdered sugar: Provides a light sweetness and helps with coating the cookies.
- ¼ cup cornstarch: Adds softness and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- 15.25 ounces cake mix (white or vanilla): The base that gives the cookies their fluffy, tender crumb.
- ⅓ cup butter (softened): Adds richness and moisture for a luscious cookie texture.
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil: Keeps the cookies tender and moist without weighing them down.
- 2 eggs (large, at room temperature): Binds the ingredients together and adds structure.
- Green food coloring (gel recommended): For that unmistakable Grinch green without dulling the dough.
- Jumbo red heart candies: Adds a pop of color and a cute nod to the Grinch’s “heart growing” moment.
How to Make Easy Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Oven
Before diving in, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to keep the cookies from sticking and to promote even baking. Having everything prepped upfront makes the process smooth and enjoyable.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Coating
In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. This mixture will be used later to coat the cookie dough balls, giving them a soft outer texture and a beautiful snowy finish that contrasts with the green dough.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, add softened butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Use a hand mixer on medium speed to beat them until they’re well combined and creamy. This ensures your cookies will have a lovely lightness and richness.
Step 4: Add the Cake Mix
Pour the entire boxed cake mix into the wet ingredients and mix until fully combined. You’ll notice the dough becomes thick but pliable, the perfect consistency for shaping into cookies.
Step 5: Bring on the Green
Slowly stir in green food coloring drop by drop until you reach that vibrant, unmistakably Grinch green that makes these cookies so fun and festive. Gel coloring works best here, offering a bold hue without changing the dough’s texture.
Step 6: Shape, Coat, and Bake
Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, scoop dough balls and drop each into the powdered sugar-cornstarch mixture. Gently roll to coat, then place them spaced about 2 inches apart on the cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating halfway through for even cooking. When done, the cookies should be puffed, soft, and bright green—watch closely to avoid edges browning and losing that vivid color.
Step 7: Cool and Decorate
Once baked, cool the cookies on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. To attach the red heart candies, mix a small batch of powdered sugar and cornstarch with water to make a gentle “glue.” With a toothpick, apply this to the back of each heart and press it onto the cooled cookie for an adorable finishing touch.
How to Serve Easy Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies look fantastic topped simply with the red heart candies, but you can also dust with a little extra powdered sugar for a frosty look or add festive sprinkles around the edges to amp up the holiday feel. Fresh mint leaves or edible glitter can add a fun, whimsical touch too.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a glass of cold milk or a cup of rich hot cocoa to complement the rich sweetness and provide a perfect cozy balance. For a festive spread, add other holiday treats like peppermint bark or cranberry shortbread for a varied dessert table.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these cookies stacked neatly on a colorful platter lined with festive napkins or place them individually in clear treat bags tied with red and green ribbons for a charming gift idea. You can even create a cookie “tree” by stacking them with toothpicks and placing a small star candy on top for that wow factor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your Easy Grinch Cake Mix Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and fresh for about 3 to 4 days, making them perfect for enjoying throughout the week or sharing with friends and family.
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies ahead of time, freeze the dough balls coated in powdered sugar on a baking sheet until solid. Transfer them to a freezer bag, and when you’re ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. Alternatively, baked cookies can also be frozen in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To revive your cookies, warm them gently in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes. This will restore their soft, fresh-from-the-oven texture and bring back that delightful Grinch green glow.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
While vanilla or white cake mix works best to achieve the bright green color and subtle flavor, you can experiment with other flavors if you’re feeling adventurous. Just keep in mind this may slightly affect the final color and taste.
What if I don’t have green gel food coloring?
Gel food coloring is preferred because it provides vibrant color without thinning the dough. However, you can use liquid food coloring—just add it sparingly to avoid making the dough too wet and adjust the amount until you get the desired tint.
Why do we coat the cookies in powdered sugar and cornstarch?
This coating creates a soft, crinkly crust that contrasts beautifully with the tender center. It also helps make the green color pop while adding a subtle sweetness and a delicate texture to the cookies.
Can I substitute the heart candies?
Absolutely! You can use any festive sprinkle, colored sugar, or candy that fits the holiday mood. Just use the same glue technique to attach them without them falling off after baking.
Are these cookies kid-friendly to make?
Yes, these cookies are perfect for baking with kids. The steps are straightforward and fun, especially rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar and adding the bright candy hearts at the end.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is one of those delightful treats that instantly lifts your spirits with its joyful color and tender texture. It’s a simple recipe that feels special and festive, perfect for sharing with loved ones or baking up holiday cheer all on your own. I hope you have as much fun making and eating these as I do every year — happy baking!
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Easy Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
Description
These Easy Grinch Cake Mix Cookies are vibrant, soft, and irresistibly delicious. Made with a simple boxed cake mix and bright green food coloring, they’re perfect for festive occasions and quick baking. Coated in a powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture for a delicate outer layer and topped with adorable red heart candies, these cookies capture the fun and spirit of the holiday season with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 15.25 ounces cake mix (boxed, white or vanilla flavor works best)
Wet Ingredients
- ⅓ cup butter (softened)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- Green food coloring (gel recommended for a vibrant color)
Decoration
- Jumbo red hearts candies
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside for later use.
- Prepare powdered sugar mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch until combined. Set this mixture aside; it will be used for coating the cookies.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the softened butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Use a hand mixer on medium speed and beat until well combined and creamy.
- Add cake mix: Pour in the boxed cake mix and continue mixing until the dough thickens and is fully combined.
- Add green color: Stir in a few drops of green gel food coloring gradually until you achieve a vibrant Grinch green shade. Mix well to evenly distribute the color.
- Shape and coat the cookies: Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, scoop dough balls from the mixture. The dough will be soft, so handle gently. Drop each ball into the powdered sugar-cornstarch mixture and roll gently to coat thoroughly.
- Place cookies on baking sheets: Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the sheets halfway through baking to ensure even cooking. The cookies should look puffed with a soft center but avoid overbaking to preserve the bright green color.
- Cool the cookies: Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate with heart candies: Prepare a simple “glue” by mixing 1 tablespoon of the powdered sugar-cornstarch mixture with ½ tablespoon of water. Using a toothpick, apply a small amount of this mixture to the back of each jumbo red heart candy and press onto the top of each cooled cookie to secure.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant and intense green color without thinning the dough.
- Do not overbake to keep the cookies soft and maintain the bright green color.
- The powdered sugar and cornstarch coating helps create a soft outer texture while keeping the cookies moist inside.
- Ensure eggs are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
