With the holiday season just around the corner, I find myself reminiscing about all the delightful treats that fill our home with warmth and joy. One of my absolute favorites to make during this time is Grinch Cookies. Now, I know what you’re thinking – why Grinch? Well, in our family, we’ve always loved Dr. Seuss’ story of how the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes on Christmas day. These cookies are a fun and delicious nod to that story, and they’ve become a beloved tradition in our household.
I remember the first time I whipped up a batch of these little green delights. My kids were skeptical at first – after all, green cookies aren’t exactly the norm! But once they took that first bite, their doubts melted away faster than snow on a warm day. There’s something magical about the combination of minty freshness and sweet cake-like texture that makes these cookies irresistible. Plus, they’re super easy to prepare, which is a big win for busy folks like me!
Now, let me tell you, these cookies are not only perfect for satisfying those festive cravings but also ideal for gifting. I often make extra batches and package them up in cute little boxes tied with red ribbons to share with friends and neighbors. Trust me, they never fail to bring a smile to anyone’s face!
What I love most about this recipe is its simplicity. Using a box of white cake mix as the base means I can focus more on adding those special touches that make these cookies uniquely ours – like the peppermint extract that gives them their signature holiday flavor and the adorable heart-shaped sprinkle pressed into each one.
If you’re looking to spread some holiday cheer in your own kitchen, I highly recommend giving these Grinch Cookies a try. Whether you’re baking with family or whipping them up solo while listening to your favorite holiday tunes, they’re sure to add a touch of whimsy and warmth to your celebrations.
How to Make Grinch Cookies
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Ingredients:
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix (432 g box)
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract (or mint extract)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (32 g)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- Red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon
Directions:
- Begin by setting your oven to 375°F. Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper; then set it aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix with softened butter and eggs using either a hand-held mixer or stand mixer until everything is well integrated.
- Add peppermint (or mint) and vanilla extracts along with enough green food coloring to achieve your desired hue. Mix gently until just combined; expect a thick and somewhat sticky dough.
- In another small bowl, blend powdered sugar with cornstarch until smooth.
- Scoop approximately 1 ½ tablespoons of dough per cookie, forming balls in your hands before rolling each one in the powdered sugar mixture until fully coated. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet about an inch apart.
- Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes or until edges are firm and tops appear dry.
- Once baked, promptly press a red heart-shaped sprinkle onto each cookie’s center so it adheres properly.
- Allow cookies to cool on their sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them onto wire racks where they’ll cool completely.
Storing Suggestion:
You can store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, place them in the freezer; they’ll keep well for about two months when frozen properly.
Cooking Tips:
If you want a softer cookie texture, reduce baking time slightly by one or two minutes. Also, consider chilling your dough if it’s too sticky; this will make handling easier and prevent spreading during baking.
Serving Suggestions:
These cookies pair wonderfully with hot cocoa or milk! For an extra festive touch, serve them alongside other holiday treats on a decorative platter adorned with greenery or holly sprigs.
Ingredient Substitutions:
If you’re out of peppermint extract, feel free to substitute with mint extract or even almond extract for a different twist. In place of red heart sprinkles, small candies like M&Ms work just fine too!
Seasonal Variations:
Try incorporating seasonal flavors such as cinnamon or nutmeg into your dough during fall months. In summer, lemon zest adds brightness and enhances flavors beautifully without overpowering other ingredients.
Allergen Information:
This recipe contains common allergens like eggs and dairy products from butter—consider using plant-based alternatives if necessary while ensuring any replacements don’t compromise taste/texture significantly.
FAQ Section
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can certainly use salted butter if that’s what you have on hand! Just remember that doing so may slightly alter the flavor profile due to added salt content; consider reducing additional salt elsewhere within your recipe accordingly if needed.
Is it possible to make these gluten-free?
A gluten-free version is achievable by substituting regular cake mix with gluten-free options available at most supermarkets today—just double-check labels ensure no hidden sources exist beforehand!
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
A simple trick involves chilling dough briefly prior rolling into balls: colder temperatures help solidify fats present therein while maintaining shape better once exposed high heat inside ovens later down line!
What if I don’t have gel food coloring?
No worries—liquid colorings work similarly albeit requiring larger quantities achieve same intensity desired result-wise but keep mixing well enough distribute evenly throughout batter itself avoiding streaks altogether ideally speaking course ultimately mattering end result presentation-wise leastwise anyway right?!
Grinch Cookies
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix 432 g box
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract or mint extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- green gel food coloring
- ¼ cup powdered sugar 32 g
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a big baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a mixing bowl, blend the cake mix, softened butter, and eggs together using a hand-held or stand mixer until it’s all mixed nicely.
- Add in the peppermint (or mint) and vanilla extracts along with enough green food coloring to get that fun Grinchy color you want. Mix it on low speed just until everything comes together.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch until it’s nice and smooth.
- Use a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop to grab the dough and roll it into balls. Then, roll each ball in the powdered sugar mixture to coat it well. Place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Pop those cookies in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look dry.
- Once they’re done, take them out and quickly press a heart-shaped sprinkle on each cookie, so it sticks right in there.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.