Description
These festive Grinch Cookies are a fun and colorful treat perfect for the holiday season. Made with a white cake mix base, green gel food coloring, and topped with candy heart sprinkles, these cookies have a soft, cake-like texture and a playful appearance that will delight kids and adults alike. Easy to prepare and bake, they deliver a sweet burst of holiday cheer with every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix
- 2 eggs (room temperature)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring (to desired shade)
Coating
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Topping
- Candy heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the white cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl. Mix on medium-low speed using a mixer until all ingredients are fully combined into a smooth dough.
- Add Food Coloring: Gradually add green gel food coloring to the dough a little at a time, mixing thoroughly until you achieve your desired vibrant green shade.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a bowl and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to firm up, making it easier to handle.
- Preheat Oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Coating: In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and cornstarch to create a dry coating mixture. Set aside.
- Form Cookie Balls: Scoop out approximately 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Roll each portion in your hands to form smooth spheres about 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Coat Cookies: Roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture until fully coated. Place them on the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Flatten Cookies: Using your hand, a glass, or the bottom of a spatula, gently press down on each coated dough ball to slightly flatten them.
- Add Topping: Press a single candy heart sprinkle into the center of each cookie, applying gentle pressure so it adheres.
- Repeat: Continue the process with the remaining dough until all cookies are arranged on the baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges on the bottom just begin to turn a light golden color and the tops appear dry to the touch.
- Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to rest on it for 3 minutes. Then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs to help the dough mix more evenly.
- Chilling the dough is essential for easier handling and better cookie shape.
- Adjust the amount of green gel coloring to customize the shade of green to your preference.
- If candy heart sprinkles are unavailable, you can substitute with red or white heart-shaped candies or skip this topping.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- For a more festive look, consider adding edible glitter or sparkling sugar on top before baking.
