Grinch Cookies are one of the cutest and easiest Christmas cookies you can make using a box of cake mix! These fun and festive cookies are such a fun and easy holiday baking recipe. Vanilla cake mix is the secret ingredient for these perfectly soft and chewy crinkle cookies! The combination of crinkles, powdered sugar coating, and a cute heart sprinkle brings all the Grinch vibes you need for the holidays!
Grinch Cookies Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
When it comes to the holidays it's important to have a few quick and easy treat recipes on hand. There's no need to stress about making perfectly soft, chewy, and cute Christmas cookies at an already stressful and busy time! In comes these shortcut Grinch crinkle cookies made with a box of cake mix. They are so cute, festive and flavor packed without any stress.
What are Grinch Cookies
These Grinch cookies are a cute, fun, and festive treat for the holidays! A shortcut cookie dough is made using a box of vanilla cake mix. Green food coloring gives the cookies their signature Grinch green color! A combination of powdered sugar and cornstarch coats the cookies before baking to give them their fun and festive crinkle exterior. A heart sprinkle finishes the cookies off and will warm any Grinch's heart this holiday season!
More Fun Cookies
Ingredients
- Vanilla Cake Mix - these shortcut cookies are made using a box of cake mix! No need to stress about making a complicated cookie dough. With a box of cake mix these cookies turn out perfect every time.
- Eggs - for the cookie batter.
- Heart Sprinkles - these are optional but they add such a special Grinch touch to the cookies! You can also use a red candy like an M&M or Skittles candy.
- Green Food Coloring - to give the cookies their signature Grinch green color!
- Oil - for the cookie batter.
- Powdered Sugar and Cornstarch - these are a crinkle cookie which gives them such a fun color and makes them look so festive. The cookie dough is rolled in a combination of powdered sugar and cornstarch before baking. This combination does not melt away when baked, instead you are left with a perfect sugary coating on the cookies!
- Butter - for the cookie dough. Ensure the butter is at room temperature so it easily and evenly mixes into the dough.
How to Make Grinch Cookies
Full Printable Recipe at Bottom of page
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line 2 cookie sheets or sheet pans with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. Set aside.
- To a large bowl add the box cake mix, butter, oil and eggs. Using a handheld mixer, blend until well combined. Mix in green food coloring until desired color of green is reached. Note: the batter will be very thick.
- With a cookie scoop or two spoons, scoop dough balls (approximately 1 ½ inch) and drop them into the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture. The dough balls will be very soft. Gently roll the dough in the mixture and place on the prepared cookie sheets, leaving at least 2 inch space between the cookies.
- Bake for 8 – 10 minutes, rotating the cookie sheets halfway through, or until the cookies puff up and the edges are firm to the touch.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately place a heart sprinkle or round red candy on each cookie. Press down gently so that it sticks to the cookie.
Tip: place the sprinkle in one of the cracks of the cookie so it will stick. - Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. As the cookies cool they will deflate and flatten, this is normal. Serve and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Cookies
- Cookie Dough - this recipe is so quick and easy using a box of cake mix! No need to stress about making a cookie dough. Be sure to coat the cookies in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture BEFORE baking. The cookies will not have the same visual look if you forget to coat them before baking.
- Flavor Variations - you can use any flavor of white cake mix such as French vanilla, white, or golden. Do not use a chocolate or red velvet cake mix because no matter how much green food coloring you add, it will not color over the dark cake mix!
- Shaping the Cookies - since these are a shortcut dough using cake mix, the batter is not your traditional cookie dough texture. The dough will be very thick and slightly sticky. You can use two spoons to scoop the dough and plop it into the powdered sugar and cornstarch coating. Then use you hands to roll the cookie in the coating.
FAQ
These cookies are served at room temperature.
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or freezer for up to 3 months.
Yes! You can make these cookies up to one week in advance. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or freeze for up to 3 months.
Yes! Allow the baked cookies to fully cool at room temperature. Transfer to an air tight container or Ziploc bag (place a piece of parchment paper between the layers if stacking the cookies) and freeze for up to 3 months. Please note that during thawing the powdered sugar may melt, you can dust the cookies in powdered sugar again once they are thawed.
Use a gluten free vanilla cake mix.
More Christmas Treats
- Gingerbread Cheesecake Bars
- Nutella Pastry Christmas Trees
- Reindeer Rice Krispies Treats
- Holiday Nutella Pastries
- Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
Enjoy!
- Sab
Grinch Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter (softened at room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- Green food coloring
- Heart sprinkles (or small red sprinkle, M&M's, or Skittles)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line 2 cookie sheets or sheet pans with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. Set aside.
- To a large bowl add the 1 box vanilla cake mix, ⅓ cup unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 2 large eggs. Using a handheld mixer, blend until well combined. Mix in Green food coloring until desired color of green is reached. Note: the batter will be very thick.
- With a cookie scoop or two spoons, scoop dough balls (approximately 1 ½ inch) and drop them into the ⅓ cup powdered sugar and ¼ cup cornstarch mixture. The dough balls will be very soft. Gently roll the dough in the mixture and place on the prepared cookie sheets, leaving at least 2 inch space between the cookies.
- Bake for 8 – 10 minutes, rotating the cookie sheets halfway through, or until the cookies puff up and the edges are firm to the touch.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately place a Heart sprinkles or round red candy on each cookie. Press down gently so that it sticks to the cookie.Tip: place the sprinkle in one of the cracks of the cookie so it will stick.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. As the cookies cool they will deflate and flatten, this is normal. Serve and enjoy!
Leave a Reply