If you love holiday treats that are as charming to look at as they are delightful to eat, you’re going to fall for these Grinch Cake Mix Cookies. Bright green and adorned with a sweet little heart, these cookies are chewy, cake-like, and unbelievably easy to whip up, thanks to the magic of cake mix. Perfect for Christmas parties or cozy nights at home, this recipe sprinkles a bit of Dr. Seuss magic into your dessert table, and you’ll soon see why they’re always a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about how just a handful of colorful, clever ingredients can bring these Grinch Cake Mix Cookies to life. Each element plays a special role—whether it’s providing fluffiness, a pop of color, or that festive finishing touch we all love during the holidays!
- Vanilla cake mix: The brilliant shortcut for chewy, cake-like cookies—pick your favorite brand for the base.
- Vegetable oil: Adds moisture and helps keep the cookies tender and soft in every bite.
- Eggs: Essential for binding everything together and creating that irresistible cookie texture.
- Vanilla extract: Just a little dash goes a long way in rounding out the flavors—don’t skip it!
- Green food coloring (gel): For that bold, Grinchy green; gel food coloring works best for vibrant hues without thinning your dough.
- Confectioners sugar: Gives the cookies an elegant snowy coating and slight outer crunch.
- Cornstarch: When mixed with sugar, it helps create the classic crackly crinkle finish.
- Candy hearts or sprinkles: The signature touch for every Grinch Cake Mix Cookie! A red heart makes them instantly recognizable and oh-so-cute.
How to Make Grinch Cake Mix Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy. This simple step ensures your cookies lift off perfectly golden and intact.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Next, add the green food coloring—start with a few drops and mix well, adding more as needed until you get that iconic Grinch-green color. Stir everything together until the dough is smooth and evenly colored.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Pop the dough in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. This quick chilling time is crucial: it makes the dough easier to handle and ensures your cookies bake up thick and chewy instead of spreading too much.
Step 4: Preheat and Prep the Sugar Coating
While your dough chills, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, mix together the confectioners sugar and cornstarch; this duo creates that snowy, classic crinkle cookie look once baked.
Step 5: Form and Coat the Cookie Dough Balls
Scoop out balls of dough (a small cookie scoop or spoon works well). Roll each ball thoroughly in the sugar-cornstarch mixture until it’s completely coated. Set the balls onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between for a little spreading.
Step 6: Flatten and Decorate
Using the bottom of a glass, gently press each dough ball to slightly flatten it—just enough to give it a nice surface for decorating, but not too much! Top each cookie with a red candy heart or festive sprinkle right in the center.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake your Grinch Cake Mix Cookies for 8 to 10 minutes; 9 minutes is often just right for that perfect chewy center. Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for about 3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature for ultimate holiday cheer!
How to Serve Grinch Cake Mix Cookies
Garnishes
The iconic red candy heart is a must for true Grinch style, but you can also sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar over the top just before serving for a frosted, snow-dusted effect. Edible glitter or colored sugars would add even more sparkle to your holiday cookie platter!
Side Dishes
Grinch Cake Mix Cookies pair beautifully with a mug of hot cocoa or holiday spiced tea. They’re also a whimsical addition to any dessert tray, joining holiday fudge, sugar cookies, or peppermint bark for a crowd-pleasing Christmas spread.
Creative Ways to Present
These cookies look adorable stacked on a festive platter or nestled in a holiday-themed tin. For gifts, package a few cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a red ribbon, or assemble Grinch-inspired goodie boxes with other green treats—think peppermint patties or green gumdrops!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Grinch Cake Mix Cookies soft and fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies either before or after baking. If freezing dough balls, skip the sugar coating until just before baking. Baked cookies freeze well too—just layer with parchment paper and seal in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months.
Reheating
If you prefer your cookies warm, reheat individual cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Thawed cookies regain their softness and taste freshly-baked when gently warmed up!
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! While vanilla cake mix helps the Grinch green color shine, you can try white, yellow, or even a funfetti cake mix for an extra burst of color—just keep an eye on how the green food coloring turns out.
What type of food coloring works best?
Gel food coloring is ideal because it gives you a bold color without making the dough too runny. Liquid food coloring may need a few more drops to reach the same vibrancy, so add a little at a time until you get that perfect shade.
Can I make these Grinch Cake Mix Cookies gluten-free?
Definitely! Swap in a gluten-free vanilla cake mix (there are several good store-bought options these days) and you’ll have equally festive, chewy cookies everyone can enjoy.
What’s the best way to get uniform cookie shapes?
Using a small cookie scoop makes portioning the dough super easy and ensures all your cookies bake evenly. If you don’t have one, use a tablespoon and roll the dough between your palms for consistency.
Do I have to use candy hearts?
Candy hearts give that classic Grinch Cake Mix Cookie look, but red M&M’s, red cinnamon candies, or even heart-shaped icing decorations work nicely in a pinch. Get creative with what you have on hand!
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like sharing a batch of Grinch Cake Mix Cookies with your favorite people during the holidays. They’re fun to make, even more fun to eat, and always spark a smile. If you’re looking for a new Christmas classic, these cookies are sure to steal the show. Happy baking!
Print
Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 28 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Grinch Cake Mix Cookies are easy to make using a shortcut that combines vanilla cake mix with pantry staples. These chewy, cake-like Christmas cookies are bright Grinch-green, making them fun and festive holiday treats.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (such as Betty Crocker)
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring (gel)
Coating:
- ⅓ cup confectioners sugar
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
Decoration:
- Candy hearts or sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, mix vanilla cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, and green food coloring until well combined. Refrigerate dough for 20 minutes.
- Preheat & Coat: Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine confectioners sugar and cornstarch. Roll dough into balls, coat with sugar mixture, flatten slightly, and top with candy hearts.
- Bake & Cool: Bake for 8-10 minutes. After baking, cool on a wire rack. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 85 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 9mg
