Easy Grinch Cookies with Cake Mix Recipe

Introduction

These Easy Grinch Cookies are the perfect festive treat, requiring just three simple ingredients thanks to a cake mix base. They’re soft, chewy, and bursting with holiday color, making them a fun and simple project for bakers of all ages. For another no-fuss Grinch-themed dessert, try these Easy Grinch Oreo Balls – No-Bake Family Favorite.

Ingredients

These cheerful cookies are soft, sweet, and perfectly festive with their vibrant green color and cute heart details.

• 15.25 ounce box vanilla cake mix (dry mix)
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Green food coloring
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup cornstarch (optional, for rolling)
• Heart sprinkles or red hots candies
• Green decorating gel or frosting (optional, for detail)

Timing

Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	10 minutes
Total Time	25 minutes

Context: This streamlined process makes these Holiday Grinch Cookies about 20% faster to make than similar festive cookie recipes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 — Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This should take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed. Properly creaming these ingredients is crucial for creating the perfect chewy texture in your Holiday Grinch Cookies.

Step 2 — Add Wet Ingredients

Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and green gel food coloring to the butter mixture. Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for a vibrant green hue without altering the dough’s consistency. Mix until the color is fully incorporated and uniform, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 3 — Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which helps the cookies bake evenly. For extra tender cookies, you can sift the dry ingredients together.

Step 4 — Form the Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until a soft dough forms and no dry flour remains. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in the white chocolate chips and optional heart sprinkles by hand with a spatula for festive Holiday Grinch Cookies.

Step 5 — Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling firms up the butter, preventing the cookies from spreading too thin in the oven. For best results, you can chill the dough for up to 24 hours for flavors to deepen.

Step 6 — Preheat and Scoop

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion the dough into rounded balls, placing them about 2 inches apart on the sheets. This spacing allows for proper spread as they bake.

Step 7 — Bake to Perfection

Bake one sheet at a time in the center of the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look soft and slightly puffed. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.

Step 8 — Cool and Decorate

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, you can add a small red heart sprinkle or a drizzle of melted white chocolate to each cookie for the classic Grinch-inspired finish.

Step 9 — Store and Serve

Store your completely cooled Holiday Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. These festive treats are perfect for holiday parties and cookie exchanges.

Nutritional Information

Calories	180 kcal
Protein	2g
Carbohydrates	25g
Fat	8g
Fiber	1g
Sodium	95mg

Note: Nutritional values for these Holiday Grinch Cookies are estimates based on typical ingredients and a standard serving size. Actual values may vary depending on specific brands and measurements used.

Healthier Alternatives

These festive Holiday Grinch Cookies can easily be adapted to fit various dietary needs without sacrificing their iconic green color or delightful flavor. Here are some simple ingredient swaps to try.

• Protein Powder for Flour — Replace up to half the all-purpose flour with unflavored vanilla or plain whey protein isolate (or a plant-based alternative like pea protein) for a higher-protein cookie that stays soft.
• Almond or Coconut Flour — Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, or for a lower-carb option, substitute with finely ground almond flour. Note that almond flour may require an extra egg white for binding.
• Applesauce for Butter — Swap half the butter with unsweetened applesauce to reduce saturated fat. This adds moisture and a subtle fruitiness that pairs well with the vanilla.
• Dairy-Free Butter & White Chips — Use a high-quality plant-based butter stick and dairy-free white chocolate chips to make these Holiday Grinch Cookies completely dairy-free.
• Monk Fruit or Allulose — For a lower-sugar version, replace the granulated sugar with a monk fruit-erythritol blend. These alternatives bake and caramelize similarly to sugar.
• Sea Salt Flakes on Top — Instead of mixing salt into the dough, simply sprinkle a few flakes on top of each cookie before baking. This enhances flavor with far less sodium per serving.
• Avocado Oil — For a heart-healthy fat with a neutral taste, replace the melted butter with an equal amount of avocado oil. The cookies will be slightly more cake-like.
• Spinach or Spirulina for Color — If avoiding food coloring, use a tablespoon of spinach powder or a tiny pinch of spirulina powder to achieve the classic Grinch green hue naturally.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair these festive Holiday Grinch Cookies with a glass of cold milk, a cup of hot cocoa, or a steaming mug of peppermint mocha for a cozy treat.
• Create a cookie platter for holiday parties by arranging them alongside other seasonal favorites like gingerbread men and sugar cookies.
• Serve them as a sweet, edible gift. Package a few Holiday Grinch Cookies in a clear cellophane bag tied with a red ribbon for a charming homemade present.
• Add them to a holiday movie night spread. They’re the perfect snack while watching classic festive films.
• For a playful plating tip, crumble a cookie over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or use them as a garnish for a holiday-themed milkshake.
• Bring them to a cookie exchange. Their unique green color and festive name make them a memorable contribution.

However you choose to serve them, these Holiday Grinch Cookies are sure to bring a smile and a touch of whimsy to your celebrations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using cold butter, which prevents proper creaming and leads to dense cookies. Fix: Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before mixing.
• Mistake: Overmixing the dough after adding flour, which develops gluten and creates tough cookies. Fix: Mix just until the flour disappears and the dough comes together.
• Mistake: Not chilling the dough, causing the cookies to spread too thin and lose their shape. Fix: Chill the dough for at least 1 hour to solidify the fats and control spread.
• Mistake: Using old baking powder or soda, resulting in flat cookies that don’t puff. Fix: Test leaveners for freshness by adding to vinegar; they should fizz vigorously.
• Mistake: Overcrowding the baking sheet, which leads to cookies merging into one another. Fix: Leave at least 2 inches of space between dough balls for proper heat circulation.
• Mistake: Baking on a hot, reused sheet, which causes the bottoms to burn. Fix: Always use a cool, room-temperature baking sheet for each batch.
• Mistake: Overbaking, which dries out the cookies and dulls the vibrant green color. Fix: Remove cookies when edges are just set; they will continue to firm up as they cool.
• Mistake: Adding red heart sprinkles before baking, causing them to bleed or melt. Fix: Press sprinkles into the warm cookies immediately after they come out of the oven.

Storing Tips

• Fridge: Store cooled Holiday Grinch Cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Refrigeration helps maintain their vibrant green color and chewy texture.
• Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag or airtight container. They will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for an hour before serving.
• Reheat: To enjoy warm, place cookies on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for 3-5 minutes, just until heated through. This restores their fresh-baked softness without drying them out.

Always ensure cookies are completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation and sogginess. For food safety, any dough containing eggs or dairy should be refrigerated if not baked immediately and baked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Conclusion

These easy Holiday Grinch Cookies are the perfect festive treat. For another classic version, try our Grinch Cookies Recipe. We hope you love this simple cake mix recipe! Please leave a comment with your results and subscribe for more delicious holiday ideas.

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FAQs

Can I make these Holiday Grinch Cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and chill it for up to 3 days before baking. You can also bake and cool the Holiday Grinch Cookies completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.

Why are my cookies spreading too much in the oven?

This usually happens if the butter is too warm. Ensure your butter is just softened, not melted, and that you chill the dough as directed. Proper chilling solidifies the fat, which helps the Holiday Grinch Cookies hold their shape while baking.

Can I use a different type of food coloring?

Yes, gel food coloring is recommended for vibrant color without thinning the dough, but liquid coloring will work. Start with a few drops of liquid coloring and add more as needed to achieve the perfect green hue for your cookies.