Have you ever wanted a cookie that feels just like the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes? These cookies are bright, fun, and oh so sweet. I made them once, and now I just can’t stop.
The green color is silly and makes everyone smile. The little red heart in the middle is the cutest touch. It’s like Christmas joy in every bite.
I love baking these for friends and family because they always ask for more. They’re easy, they’re festive, and they bring happiness. Let’s bake them together and make Christmas extra fun.
Why You’ll Love These Grinch Sugar Cookies
- Fun and Festive: With their iconic green color and heart-shaped sprinkles, these cookies are perfect for spreading holiday cheer!
- Soft and Chewy: The combination of butter, sugar, and the perfect balance of baking ingredients creates a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Quick and Easy: The best part about these cookies is how simple they are to make, with just a few ingredients and basic steps.
- Kid-Friendly: Get the little ones involved in the kitchen! They’ll love decorating these Grinch cookies and seeing their creations come to life.
- Great for Gifting: These cookies make for an excellent homemade gift during the holidays, or you can serve them at a holiday-themed party.
Required Kitchen Tools
Before diving into this easy Grinch Sugar Cookie recipe, make sure you have these kitchen tools handy:
- Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a medium-sized bowl to whisk your dry ingredients and a larger bowl to mix the wet ingredients.
- Electric Mixer or Stand Mixer: A hand mixer or stand mixer is essential for creaming together the butter and sugar to get the right texture.
- Baking Sheets: Use 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure your cookies don’t stick.
- Cookie Scooper: A cookie scoop makes portioning the dough into even balls quick and easy.
- Cooling Rack: Let the cookies cool evenly by transferring them to a wire rack after baking.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements ensure the perfect texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious Grinch-inspired sugar cookies (with exact measurements in the recipe card below):
- All-Purpose Flour: This forms the base of the dough and gives the cookies their structure.
- Cornstarch: This ingredient helps create a soft, chewy texture for the cookies.
- Baking Powder: This ensures the cookies rise slightly as they bake.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter: Room-temperature butter adds richness to the dough and ensures the cookies have a perfect texture.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the dough, giving it a delicate sweetness that’s key for sugar cookies.
- Egg: The egg helps bind the dough and contributes to the cookie’s soft texture.
- Vanilla Extract: For that classic cookie flavor that makes everything better.
- Green Food Gel Coloring: A small amount of green food coloring will give the cookies their signature Grinch-like hue.
- Green Sugar Sprinkles: Add a festive sparkle to your cookies with green sugar sprinkles.
- Red Heart Sprinkles: These sprinkles are perfect for adding the Grinch’s iconic red heart, making each cookie extra special.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Grinch Sugar Cookies
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). While the oven heats up, line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This will help the cookies bake evenly and prevent them from sticking.
2. Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly mixed, which helps the cookies bake uniformly.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer or stand mixer to beat the unsalted butter and sugar together. Mix on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it helps incorporate air into the dough, which contributes to the cookies’ light texture.
4. Add the Egg and Vanilla Extract
Next, add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until fully combined. The egg helps bind the dough together, while the vanilla extract adds a classic flavor.
5. Add the Green Food Coloring
Add green food gel coloring to the wet ingredients. Start with just a small amount—about 1/8 teaspoon—and mix it in. Add more if you want a deeper, more vibrant green color, but remember that a little goes a long way!
6. Combine the Dry and Wet Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Once everything is incorporated, you should have a smooth, slightly sticky dough.
7. Scoop the Dough and Shape the Cookies
Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop out about 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Roll the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You can flatten the dough slightly with your fingers if you prefer a slightly flatter cookie.
8. Add the Green Sugar Sprinkles
Before baking, roll each cookie dough ball in green sugar sprinkles. This will give the cookies a festive sparkle and a touch of sweetness. Press down gently so that the sprinkles stick to the dough.
9. Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown. The centers may appear slightly soft, but don’t worry—they will firm up as they cool. Keep an eye on the cookies as baking times can vary depending on your oven.
10. Add the Red Heart Sprinkles
While the cookies are still warm, gently press a red heart sprinkle into the center of each cookie. This is what will make these Grinch cookies extra special, representing the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes that day!
11. Cool the Cookies
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cookies set and prevents them from falling apart while they’re still warm.
Variations for Grinch Sugar Cookies
- Add Flavoring: If you want to add a little extra flavor, consider mixing in a teaspoon of almond extract or peppermint extract. These flavors pair wonderfully with the green color and add a seasonal twist.
- Use Red or Green M&Ms: For an even more colorful look, replace the heart-shaped sprinkles with M&Ms in red or green.
- Add Sprinkles for Extra Fun: Mix holiday-themed sprinkles into the dough for a crunchy, festive twist.
- Chill the Dough: If you prefer a thicker cookie, chill the dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape and results in a thicker, chewier texture.
- Decorate with Icing: For an extra layer of creativity, you can decorate the cookies with royal icing to create fun designs or additional Grinch-themed elements like his iconic face or Santa hat.
How to Serve Grinch Sugar Cookies
These Grinch Sugar Cookies are perfect for any holiday occasion, from Christmas parties to family gatherings. Here are some fun ways to serve them:
- On a Cookie Platter: Arrange these festive cookies on a large plate or platter for a fun, colorful display at your holiday party or potluck.
- In Gift Boxes: Pack these cookies in a gift box lined with parchment paper for a cute homemade gift idea that’s sure to be appreciated.
- As a Cookie Decorating Activity: Set up a cookie decorating station with extra sprinkles, icing, and candy, and let everyone decorate their own Grinch cookies!
- Alongside Hot Cocoa: Serve these cookies with a steaming mug of hot cocoa for the ultimate winter treat.
Storing Grinch Sugar Cookies
- Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: To freeze these cookies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the cookies to a freezer bag or container. They will stay fresh for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: If you want to enjoy these cookies warm, simply heat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Nutrition Information (Per Cookie)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g |
| Cholesterol | 15 mg |
| Sodium | 45 mg |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
Conclusion
Grinch Sugar Cookies are a fun, festive, and delicious way to celebrate the holidays. Whether you’re baking with family, gifting them to friends, or simply treating yourself to a festive snack, these cookies are sure to put a smile on your face. The combination of buttery sweetness, a hint of vanilla, and the signature Grinch green coloring makes these cookies stand out in every way.
Don’t forget to decorate them with heart-shaped sprinkles to make them extra special and spread some holiday cheer!
Grinch Sugar Cookies
Course: Uncategorized24
cookies15
minutes10
minutes120
kcal30
minutesIngredients
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
3 tablespoons sour cream
Green food coloring (gel preferred)
24 small red heart sprinkles
Directions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and sour cream. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until combined.
- Add green food coloring, a few drops at a time, until you reach the Grinchy shade you like.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and place on the baking sheet. Flatten slightly.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are set but centers are soft.
- While cookies are still warm, press one red heart sprinkle into the center of each cookie.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Notes
- For extra flavor, roll dough balls in sugar before baking.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.