If you’re looking for a sweet treat that’s bursting with holiday cheer and whimsical charm, The Grinch Cookies are simply irresistible. These enchanting green sugar cookie cups are stuffed with creamy milk chocolate and topped with a signature red heart, bringing the iconic tale right to your dessert table. Soft, colorful, and delightfully easy to make, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser for kids, families, and anyone who wants to add a dash of fun to their festivities. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas movie night or just craving a bit of nostalgia, you’ll love every bite of these chewy, chocolaty creations.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for The Grinch Cookies is as short and sweet as the cookies themselves! Every item plays a key role in building that iconic color, festive flavor, and playful texture. Here’s what you’ll need — plus some tips to make your cookies truly shine.
- Hershey’s Kisses: Creamy milk chocolate centers provide a luscious surprise in every bite.
- Sugar Cookie Mix: The foundation of these cookies — delivers the ideal soft texture and gentle sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour: Just a touch ensures your cookies have structure and aren’t too soft for stuffing.
- Large Egg: Binds the dough and helps create that chewy, rich bite.
- Unsalted Butter (room temperature): Adds flavor depth and keeps your cookies tender without extra saltiness.
- Green Gel Food Coloring: The magic behind that unmistakable Grinchy green!
- Large Heart Candy Sprinkles: That finishing touch that brings the whole Grinch story to life on top of each cookie cup.
How to Make The Grinch Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Pan
Get started by preheating your oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a mini muffin pan with baker’s spray, or line each cavity with paper cups if you prefer easy lifting later. This sets the stage for perfectly shaped cookie cups, ensuring nothing sticks and each treat comes out picture-perfect.
Step 2: Color Your Egg
In a small bowl, whisk together your large egg and the green gel food coloring with a fork. Don’t rush this step—the smoother and more evenly blended the color, the prettier your Grinch green cookies will look. Mixing the coloring with the egg lets it blend right into the dough for a flawless hue.
Step 3: Make the Dough
Grab a large mixing bowl and set your mixer to low speed. Combine the sugar cookie mix, all-purpose flour, room temperature butter, and your now-bright-green egg mixture. Beat for about two to three minutes until you’ve got a thick, even dough that’s easy to shape. You’ll notice it’s quite stiff—exactly what you want for shaping around that chocolate center!
Step 4: Shape and Fill
Scoop out a portion of dough (about 1½ tablespoons, or use a cookie scoop) and flatten it into a small disc in your palm. Place a Hershey’s Kiss in the center, then carefully pull the dough up around the chocolate to fully enclose it. Gently roll into a ball, making sure the Kiss stays upright. This classic step ensures each bite has a gooey chocolate heart.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Arrange your dough balls in the prepared mini muffin pan, again keeping each Hershey’s Kiss in an upright position. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Keep a close eye—don’t let the cookies start to brown. The goal is a set (but not overdone) center with those iconic green exteriors.
Step 6: Top with Heart Sprinkles and Cool
Once out of the oven, while the cookies are still warm, gently press a heart sprinkle onto each one, just off-center for that true Whoville touch. Let the cookies cool in the muffin tin for at least 10 minutes before carefully moving them to a wire rack. This helps them set (and makes handling less messy!).
How to Serve The Grinch Cookies
Garnishes
These cookies already have plenty of personality, but you can add a light dusting of powdered sugar for a “snowy” effect, or drizzle with white chocolate for even more holiday flair. A tiny edible gold or silver ball next to the candy heart also looks adorable for festive occasions.
Side Dishes
Pair The Grinch Cookies with a steaming mug of hot cocoa, a frothy peppermint latte, or a tall glass of cold milk. For a Christmas dessert platter, set them alongside other bite-sized treats like fudge, mini brownies, or frosted sugar cookies to round out the celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange these cookies on a bright green platter with red accents for the ultimate Grinch theme, or pack them in clear treat bags tied with red ribbon for sweet holiday gifts. You can even stack them in a “cookie tree” tower, alternating layers with other colorful cookies for a stunning dessert centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store The Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and fresh for up to 4 days, making them perfect for prepping ahead for parties or cookie swaps.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment. They’ll keep their flavor and texture for up to 3 months—just thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Reheating
If you’d like to recreate that just-baked, melty chocolate experience, pop the cookies in a low oven (around 250°F) for 3 to 4 minutes or even give them a quick zap in the microwave for 10 seconds. The chocolate centers will become irresistibly gooey again.
FAQs
Can I use homemade sugar cookie dough instead of a mix?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite sugar cookie recipe, you can use it in place of the mix. Just be sure to maintain a firm enough dough for shaping and stuffing around the Hershey’s Kiss.
What’s the best way to get even green color in the dough?
Mixing the green gel food coloring directly with the egg before adding it to the dough is the secret. This trick guarantees your cookies are a perfect Grinchy green without streaks or uneven coloring.
Can I use a different type of chocolate inside?
Yes, feel free to experiment! Chocolate truffles, peanut butter cups, or even caramel-filled chocolates all work deliciously as a surprise middle for The Grinch Cookies.
How do I keep the cookies from sticking to the pan?
Be generous with baker’s spray, or use mini muffin liners for easy removal. Letting the cookies cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes also helps them set and come out cleanly.
Are The Grinch Cookies kid-friendly to make?
Definitely! Kids love shaping the dough, hiding the chocolate centers, and pressing on the candy hearts. It’s a fun, hands-on project that gets everyone into the holiday spirit.
Final Thoughts
If your holidays could use a little extra cheer, The Grinch Cookies are guaranteed to steal the show (and maybe a few hearts!). Give them a try this season—they’re easy, colorful, and so much fun to make and share. Let your kitchen be filled with laughter, chocolate, and the magic of the Grinch!
Print
The Grinch Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Grinch cookies are delicious green sugar cookies filled with creamy milk chocolate and topped with heart-shaped candy sprinkles, perfect for adding a festive touch to your holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- 18 Hershey’s kisses, unwrapped
- 17.5 ounces sugar cookie mix
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ teaspoon green gel food coloring
- 18 large heart candy sprinkles
Hershey’s Kisses Stuffed Cookies:
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a mini muffin pan with baker’s spray or line with paper cups.
- Mix the egg and food coloring: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and green gel food coloring until well combined.
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix the sugar cookie mix, flour, butter, and egg mixture until thoroughly combined.
- Form cookie cups: Scoop out dough, flatten into discs, place a Hershey’s Kiss in the center, and shape into balls.
- Bake: Place the dough balls in the muffin tin, ensuring the Hershey’s Kiss is upright, and bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Add decorations: Place a heart sprinkle on each cookie cup after baking and let cool.
Notes
- Mixing the food coloring with the egg helps distribute the green gel food coloring evenly.
- Ensure the Hershey’s Kiss is upright in the dough before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 191 kcal
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 87mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
