Grinch Cookies with Peppermint and Green Food Coloring Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a holiday cookie that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you’re going to love this Grinch Cookies with Peppermint and Green Food Coloring Recipe. These cookies come out soft, chewy, bursting with peppermint flavor, and dressed up in that iconic Grinch green — perfect for Christmas cookie swaps or festive dessert tables. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become a holiday must-bake for your family, just like it did for mine!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Grinch Cookies with Peppermint and Green Food Coloring Recipe was thoughtfully chosen to create a soft, flavorful, and colorful treat. Plus, using cake mix simplifies the process without sacrificing taste — making it a perfect shortcut I genuinely appreciate during busy holiday baking.

• White Cake Mix: Gives a tender crumb and sweetness—grab a good-quality boxed mix for best texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature for easy mixing and creamy flavor.
• Eggs: Room temperature eggs blend better and help the cookies bind perfectly.
• Peppermint Extract: This is your secret weapon for that minty holiday zing—pure peppermint extract packs the best flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the peppermint to avoid an overpowering bite.
• Green Gel Food Coloring: I recommend gel over liquid since it delivers vibrant color without thinning the batter.
• Powdered Sugar: To coat the outside so the sticky dough is easier to handle and you get that lovely cracked look.
• Cornstarch: Mixed with powdered sugar to prevent clumping and help the coating stick perfectly.
• Red Heart-Shaped Sprinkle or Cinnamon Hearts: The adorable finishing touch that turns these cookies into little Grinch hearts ready to steal!

Variations

One of the best things about this Grinch Cookies with Peppermint and Green Food Coloring Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to suit your taste or dietary needs — I’ve had fun trying a few twists depending on the mood and occasion!

• Chocolate Peppermint: I sometimes swap half the cake mix with chocolate cake mix, and it’s a chocolate lover’s dream with a hint of mint.
• Vegan Option: Using a dairy-free butter and egg replacer works pretty well here, though I suggest chilling the dough a bit longer before baking to help with texture.
• Extra Festive: White chocolate chips or crushed candy canes folded into the dough add texture and extra sweetness — my family goes crazy for these.
• Less Intense Mint: If peppermint’s too strong for you, try half peppermint and half vanilla extract for a mellow but still festive flavor.

How to Make Grinch Cookies with Peppermint and Green Food Coloring Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet

First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Then line a large baking sheet with parchment paper — trust me, this makes cleanup a breeze and keeps your cookies from sticking or browning too much on the bottoms. Having this ready before mixing saves you time when the batter’s done.

Step 2: Mix the Base Dough

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, combine the white cake mix, softened butter, and eggs. You’ll find that the batter will be thick and sticky—that’s good! Mix until everything is fully incorporated but don’t overmix. At this point, add both the peppermint extract and vanilla extract, followed by enough green gel food coloring to get that vibrant Grinch green. I usually start with a teaspoon and add more until I’m happy with the shade. Mix on low speed just to combine the color — you want it even but don’t want to overwork the dough.

Step 3: Prepare the Sugar-Coating Mixture

In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. This mix not only helps the sticky dough be easier to handle but also gives the cookies that classic cracked look once baked. Don’t skip the cornstarch — it prevents the sugar from clumping and makes rolling smoother.

Step 4: Shape and Coat Your Cookies

Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop (or just a spoon), scoop out your dough balls one at a time. Roll each ball gently in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture, coating it completely. This part can get a bit sticky, so I like dusting my hands with a little extra powdered sugar if needed to keep the dough from sticking to me. Place the coated dough balls about one inch apart on your prepared baking sheet so they don’t spread into each other.

Step 5: Bake and Adorn

Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. You’ll want to watch closely after 10 because the best indicator is when the edges are set and the tops look dry but still soft. The cookies will look slightly puffed but not browned. This step is where knowing your oven makes a difference — if they cook too long, they lose that soft center I love.

As soon as you pull the tray out, gently press a red heart-shaped sprinkle into the center of each cookie while it’s still warm — this little heart is what truly seals the deal on the Grinch vibe!

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes so they firm up just enough to move without breaking. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling step helps maintain that chewy texture you’re aiming for.

How to Serve Grinch Cookies with Peppermint and Green Food Coloring Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with extra red heart-shaped sprinkles on some cookies for added color. For parties, dusting a little powdered sugar over the tray for a snowy effect adds charm without overpowering the peppermint flavor. Sometimes I even drizzle a bit of white chocolate for an extra festive, creamy touch that everyone goes nuts for.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa, peppermint tea, or even a creamy eggnog during the holidays. I love setting up a cookie-and-cocoa bar with marshmallows, candy canes, and whipped cream for guests to customize their drinks alongside these festive bites.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like arranging the cookies in the shape of a Christmas tree on a serving platter, adding green pine sprigs and red cranberries around for color contrast. Wrapping stacks of three or four tied with festive ribbon also makes for an easy and adorable gift idea. Kids especially love helping decorate a Grinch-themed cookie platter with extra sprinkles and edible glitter for that extra “wow” factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature and they stay soft for several days — honestly, they rarely last that long at my place! If you want to keep them fresh longer, placing a slice of bread inside the container can help maintain moisture.

Freezing

If you want to freeze these Grinch Cookies, I recommend freezing the dough balls before baking. Simply scoop and coat as usual, lay them on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time. This trick saved me loads of time during the busy holiday season.

Reheating

To warm up leftover cookies, I pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This brings back their fresh-baked softness and melts the center just a bit again — just what you want when you’re craving that perfect chewy texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Grinch Cookies with Peppermint and Green Food Coloring Recipe brings a touch of whimsy and magic to my holiday baking. It’s not just a cookie — it’s a festive tradition that fills the kitchen with peppermint aromas and lots of smiles. Whether you’re baking solo or with little helpers, you’ll find these cookies bring a little extra joy to the season. So grab your mixer, whip up a batch, and get ready for some Grinchy cheer that’s destined to steal hearts (and possibly the cookie jar) this Christmas!

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