Description
Delight in the festive fun of Grinch Cookies, vibrant green, soft, and fluffy vanilla cake mix cookies with a sweet heart candy on top. These easy-to-make cookies deliver a perfect blend of vanilla flavor and a delightful buttery texture, coated in powdered sugar and cornstarch for a tender bite and crowned with red heart sprinkles for a charming holiday touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- â…“ cup unsalted butter (softened at room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
- Green food coloring (to desired shade)
Coating
- â…“ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
Topping
- Heart sprinkles or small red candies (M&M’s or Skittles)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Prepare Coating Mix: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch thoroughly. Set aside for coating the cookie dough balls later.
- Make Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, softened unsalted butter, vegetable oil, and the two eggs. Using a handheld mixer, blend all ingredients together until fully incorporated and the dough is thick. Add green food coloring gradually and mix until you reach your preferred shade of green.
- Form and Coat Dough Balls: Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, scoop out approximately 1 ½ inch sized dough balls. Gently roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture, coating evenly. Note that the dough will be soft; handle carefully. Place the coated dough balls on the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart for proper spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Rotate the cookie sheets halfway through baking to ensure even cooking. The cookies are done when they puff up and the edges feel firm to the touch.
- Add Toppings: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a heart sprinkle or small round red candy gently onto the center of each cookie. Placing the sprinkle into a crack helps it adhere better as the cookies cool.
- Cool Down: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes to set. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Expect the cookies to deflate and flatten upon cooling—this is normal.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once fully cooled, serve the festive Grinch Cookies and enjoy their soft, buttery, and delightfully sweet flavor.
Notes
- For best results, ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for a smooth dough.
- Adjust green food coloring amount to get the perfect vibrant Grinch green.
- The dough will be quite thick and soft; handle gently to avoid breaking.
- The cookies will flatten after baking, so leave enough space between dough balls before baking.
- Customize toppings by using any red candy or sprinkles you prefer.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free vanilla cake mix.
