Grinch Cookies
Grinch Cookies: The Only Treat Guaranteed to Make Your Heart Grow Three Sizes
If you’re looking for a cookie that’s festive, delicious, and slightly chaotic—just like the holiday season—then say hello to Grinch Cookies, the green sugar-coated beauties. They practically shout, “I’m here to steal Christmas… and your self-control.”
These cookies are soft, chewy, and covered in enough green sugar to make even the Grinch question his life choices. And yes—they come complete with a tiny red heart sprinkle, because we are very on-theme and very committed to character development.
What Makes Grinch Cookies So… Grinchy?
It’s all about the color, the sparkle, and the heart.
Like any good cookie destined for internet fame, these start with classic baking staples:
- Flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt – The structural integrity your holiday spirit currently lacks.
- Butter + sugar – Because this is a SAFE SPACE for carbohydrates.
- Eggs + vanilla – The flavor boosters that whisper “you’re doing amazing, sweetie.”
- Almond extract – That subtle something that makes people say, “Wait… what’s in this?”
- Green food coloring – The Grinch aesthetic is non-negotiable.
- Green sanding sugar – Because if it doesn’t sparkle, is it even a holiday cookie?
- Red heart sprinkles – Symbolizing the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes, or your guest’s blood sugar doing the same.
Making Grinch Cookies (Without Stealing Christmas)
First, preheat the oven and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. I also want to give you a heads-up, this recipe works best with a stand mixer. Ok, let’s get started.
Second, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside for now.
Next, cream the butter and sugar until it’s fluffy enough to qualify as a cloud in a children’s book. This usually takes about two minutes on medium speed.
NOTE: The goal to “creaming” the butter and sugar is to create tiny air pockets (mechanical leavening) for a light, tender, and well-risen baked good (like fluffy cakes or soft cookies). Ok, moving on…
Add eggs (one at a time), vanilla extract, and almond extract and mix like you mean it.
Then, add the dry ingredients on low speed and mix until a soft dough forms—green it up with food coloring until it’s Grinch green or “radioactive slime,” depending on your holiday aesthetic.
Next, using a rounded tablespoon, roll the dough into balls and coat them in green sanding sugar like they’re going to a disco-themed holiday party. I ended up using the entire 3 oz. container, and it was brand new–no regrets.
Place cookies about two inches apart, then bake until soft and puffy, 9 – 11 minutes. Your kitchen now smells like a Whoville bakery, unless you forgot to set the timer and burnt them, which happens to be the Grinch’s favorites!
The Final Touch: Adding the Grinch’s Heart
Once your Grinch Cookies come out of the oven, let them cool completely—yes, completely. I know you’re tempted, but attaching decorations to a hot cookie is like trying to hang Christmas lights before the ladder is steady. Disaster.
When they’re cool and ready:
Use Wilton’s Sparkle Gel or a dab of frosting to attach the red heart sprinkle.
Just a tiny dot is all you need. Press the heart on gently, like you’re giving the Grinch an emotional support tap. The sparkle gel works especially well, because it gives the heart a glossy “I’m important” vibe.
Now stand back and admire your work.
Cute, festive, and slightly dramatic–Just like the holidays. Merry Christmas!
Why Everyone Loves These Grinch Cookies
- They’re bright, bold, and unapologetically festive.
- They look like they jumped straight out of Whoville.
- They’re soft, chewy, buttery, and holiday-perfection deliciousness.
- They get bonus points for being Instagram-friendly.
- They pair beautifully with hot cocoa, milk, or a deep sense of December survival mode.
More Christmas Themed Desserts
- Eggnog Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Pecan Pie
- Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake
- Candied Cranberries
- Sweet Potato Praline Crumble (so good!)
- Tipsy Walnut Fudge
- Gingersnap Pumpkin Cheesecakes
- Layered Cranberry Cheesecake Dessert
If you tried and love this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating on the recipe card and consider leaving a comment below. Thank you so much.
Grinch Cookies
Equipment
- 1 Stand mixer
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. almond extract
- few drops green food coloring
- 3 oz. bottle green sanding sugar
- 72 red heart-shaped sprinkles
- 1 Tbsp. Wilton's Sparkle Gel (or green frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk together dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In large bowl, cream butter and sugar for 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, then extracts. Beat until combined.
- Reduce speed to LOW and gradually add flour mixture and green food coloring. Beat just until combined and soft dough is formed.
- Using a rounded tablespoon, roll dough into balls, then roll in sanding sugar. Place on cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9 – 11 minutes. Let cool completely on wire rack.
- Place a dot of Sparkle Gel or frosting on heart sprinkle, then gently place heart on cookie. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Grinch Cookies
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In the meantime, I hope you have yourself a blessed day.
we put to much butter so they where flat and to much salt so they where salty.
Hi Danielle. Thank you for sharing your experience! For best results, it’s important to follow the recipe closely — especially with butter temperature, measuring, and salt, as small variations can really affect texture and flavor. I appreciate you giving the recipe a try and hope you’ll try them again.
We will make them again.They were too salty and we put to much butter in. We hope this next batch will do.