Description
These festive Grinch Cookies are soft, green vanilla cake mix cookies rolled in powdered sugar and cornstarch for a delicate texture and topped with a bright red heart sprinkle. Perfect for holiday celebrations, these cookies have a tender crumb with a pop of color and a sweet, buttery flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Wet Ingredients
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- Green food coloring, amount as needed to reach desired shade
Toppings
- Heart sprinkles or small red candies (M&M’s, Skittles, or similar), one per cookie
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Sugar-Coating Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch thoroughly. Set this aside as it will be used to coat the cookie dough balls.
- Mix Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, softened unsalted butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Using a handheld mixer, beat the mixture until all ingredients are well incorporated and the batter is smooth yet thick. Add green food coloring gradually until you reach the desired festive green color.
- Form and Coat Dough Balls: Using a cookie scoop or spoons, form dough balls approximately 1 ½ inches in diameter. Gently roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture, coating them evenly. The dough will be soft, so handle gently to maintain shape.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake 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 have puffed up and the edges are firm to the touch.
- Add Sprinkles: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a heart sprinkle or a small red candy gently into the center of each cookie. Position the sprinkle in a crack or on the surface so it adheres well.
- Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Expect the cookies to deflate and flatten a bit as they cool, which is normal.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once fully cooled, serve your festive Grinch Cookies and enjoy their tender texture and cheerful appearance!
Notes
- Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature to achieve the best dough consistency.
- Handle the dough gently as it is very soft; rolling in the powdered sugar mixture helps keep the shape.
- Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookies that bake evenly.
- The cookies will flatten after baking—this is expected and adds to their soft texture.
- Customize the sprinkles or candies to suit your holiday theme or personal preferences.
