Grinch Cookies for Christmas Baking

If you’re looking for a festive, whimsical treat to add to your holiday baking lineup, these Grinch cookies are a must! Inspired by the beloved Christmas classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas, these bright green sugar cookies are fun, easy to make, and guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, baking with kids, or simply embracing the season, these cookies are a sweet nod to the Grinch with a heart three sizes too small!

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About This Recipe

The magic of these Grinch cookies lies in their vibrant green color and delightful sugar cookie flavor. The soft, buttery texture makes them perfect for anyone who loves a classic sugar cookie, while the festive green hue adds a playful touch that stands out on any holiday dessert table. For extra charm, you can decorate each cookie with a single red heart sprinkle, symbolizing the Grinch’s growing heart—an adorable detail that ties into the theme perfectly!

These cookies are incredibly versatile and simple to prepare, making them ideal for bakers of all skill levels. The dough is easy to handle, and you can adjust the green coloring to your desired shade, from pale mint to bold Grinch-green. Plus, the recipe uses basic pantry ingredients, so you won’t need to make a special trip to the store. Pair them with a cup of hot cocoa or milk, and you’ve got yourself a holiday treat that’s as much fun to eat as it is to bake.

Not only do these cookies taste amazing, but they’re also a fantastic way to create holiday memories. Whether you’re baking them as part of a family tradition or gifting them to friends and neighbors, they bring a cheerful, festive spirit to the season. So grab your mixing bowls, embrace your inner Whoville baker, and get ready to spread some holiday cheer—Grinch style!

And if you need cookie recipes for your holiday dessert table, try out my jam-filled shortbread cookies, my chocolate peppermint cookies, and my favorite, cranberry orange shortbread cookies!

What You Need to Make This Recipe

All-Purpose Flour
The base of the cookies, flour provides structure and stability, ensuring the cookies hold their shape while staying soft and tender.
Baking Soda
Helps the cookies rise slightly and gives them a soft texture by creating air pockets during baking.
Salt
Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the vanilla and buttery notes.
Vanilla Extract
Adds a warm, sweet aroma and depth of flavor, making the cookies more rich and inviting.
Egg Yolks
Contribute to the cookies’ chewy texture and add richness due to their fat content.
Granulated Sugar
Sweetens the cookies and also helps with achieving a soft, tender texture.
Melted Butter
Provides richness and moisture to the dough, resulting in cookies that are soft and flavorful. The melted form makes the dough easy to mix and work with.
Green Food Coloring
Creates the signature Grinch-inspired green color, making the cookies festive and fun for the holidays. You can adjust the amount for your desired shade of green.
Mini Red Heart Sprinkles
A decorative touch that symbolizes the Grinch’s growing heart. These sprinkles add a pop of color and a festive charm to each cookie.

How To Make Grinch Cookies

Step 1: Mix melted butter, sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.

Step 2: Add green food coloring (I used powdered food coloring, but gel and water-based food coloring will both work for this recipe.) and mix. Use as much as you need to achieve your desired shade of green.

Step 3: Add in the dry ingredients and fold until fully incorporated.

Step 4: Chill the cookie dough for 20-30 minutes. Scoop the cookie dough onto a lined baking sheet, and roll each cookie dough ball in granulated sugar.

Step 5: Bake in an oven preheated to 180 °C / 350 °F for 10-12 minutes. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, gently press on a red heart sprinkle in the middle of each cookie. Let the cookies cool completely then enjoy!

How To Store The Grinch Cookies

To properly store Grinch cookies and keep them fresh, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to 5 days when stored this way.

For longer storage, you can freeze the cookies by laying them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze first, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying. Be sure to keep the cookies in a cool, dry place to avoid them becoming too soft or losing their texture.

Pro Tips

Chill the Dough
For the best results, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much and keeps their shape intact.
Adjust the Green Food Coloring
Start with a few drops of green food coloring and mix well. Gradually add more until you achieve your desired Grinch-green hue. Gel food coloring works best for vibrant colors without thinning the dough.
Use a Cookie Scoop
For uniform cookies, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough. This ensures even baking and makes the cookies look neat and professional.
Add the Heart Sprinkles After Baking
To keep the red heart sprinkles from melting or discoloring, press them gently into the warm cookies right after they come out of the oven.
Don’t Overmix the Dough
Mix the ingredients just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make the cookies dense instead of soft and tender.
Keep an Eye on Baking Time
These cookies are best when slightly soft in the center. Bake them just until the edges are set and the tops look slightly puffed, usually around 10-12 minutes.
Use Parchment Paper or a Silicone Mat
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Make It a Fun Family Activity
Let the kids help decorate! They’ll love placing the red heart sprinkles on the cookies for that festive Grinch touch.
Double the Batch
These cookies are a hit at holiday parties, so consider doubling the recipe to ensure you have plenty to share!
Pair with Hot Cocoa
Serve these cookies with a cup of hot cocoa for the ultimate holiday treat that’s cozy and festive.

FAQ’s

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, you can use salted butter, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty cookies.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping and baking.

What type of green food coloring works best?

Gel or powdered food coloring is recommended because it provides vibrant color without altering the dough’s consistency. Liquid food coloring can also work but may require more to achieve the same intensity.

Can I substitute the mini red heart sprinkles?

Yes, if you can’t find red heart sprinkles, you can use red candies, and icing, or skip them entirely and still have delicious cookies!

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough helps firm up the butter, preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking and ensuring they keep their shape.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

The cookies are ready when the edges are set, and the tops look slightly puffed, which usually takes 10–12 minutes. Avoid overbaking to maintain their soft texture.

Can I add other decorations to the cookies?

Definitely! You can get creative by adding edible glitter, Christmas sprinkles, or even a drizzle of white chocolate for extra festive flair.

Looking for more holiday cookie recipes? Try my all-time favorite Ginger Molasses Cookies, my Cinnamon Raisin slice-and-bake Cookies, or even my 5 In 1 Cookie Recipe that uses one base cookie dough to make 5 different cookie flavors, perfect for a holiday cookie box!

Check out my YouTube Channel for detailed recipe tutorials! Have you made one of my recipes? Tag me on Instagram, I would love to see your creations!

Recipe Card

Festive Grinch Cookies

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 12 min

Chill Time: 30 min

Total Time: 47min

Course: Dessert

Servings: 10 cookies

Calories: 204kcal

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (113g)
2/3 cup granulated sugar (134g)
2 large egg yolks, room temp.
1 tsp vanilla extract
green food coloring
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (150g)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
red heart sprinkles (about 10)

Equipment/Utensils

Large bowl
Spatula
Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Cookie/ice cream scoop (or just a spoon)
Cooling rack

Instructions

In a large bowl combine melted butter (cooled), granulated sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla extract. Mix using a spatula until fully combined.
Add green food coloring and mix to combine.
Next, add all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Fold until fully incorporated.
Cover and chill the dough for 20-30 minutes.
Once chilled preheat your oven to 180 °C / 350 °F and line 1-2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Scoop the cookie dough using a cookie scoop (any size you prefer) and place it on the lined baking tray with at least 1-2 inches of space between each cookie.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are crispy and the center is puffy and still looks soft.
Immediately after you remove the cookies from the oven, gently press a single red heart sprinkle in the middle of each cookie. Let the cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes.
Transfer the cookies onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 203.55kcal

Total Fat: 10.23g

Carbs: 26.03g

Sugars: 14.24g

Protein: 2.19g

Sodium: 159.65mg

Fiber: 0.41g

** Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, cooking methods, portion sizes, and more. **