Grinch Cookies Recipe

The Magic Grinch Cookies Recipe for Holiday Joy

Green and gooey, these whimsical grinch cookies capture the playful spirit of holiday baking.

Chocolate chip lovers will adore this festive twist on a classic treat.

Colorful sprinkles and a vibrant green hue make these cookies stand out at any winter celebration.

Sweet crumbles melt in your mouth with a nostalgic nod to a beloved character.

Baking these delightful morsels brings unexpected joy to kitchen adventures.

Little hands can help decorate, turning simple ingredients into magical memories.

You won’t be able to resist their charming, mischievous appeal.

Cookies That Bring the Grinch to the Good List

  • Whip Up Holiday Cheer: These festive Grinch Cookies bring instant Christmas spirit with their vibrant green color and cheerful M&M decorations, making them perfect for holiday gatherings and family baking sessions.
  • Effortlessly Delightful: The simple recipe requires basic ingredients and minimal prep time, allowing even novice bakers to create show-stopping treats without stress or complicated techniques.
  • Kid-Friendly Baking Adventure: Children will love helping mix the green dough, adding colorful M&M's, and watching the cookies transform in the oven, creating memorable family moments and sparking creativity.
  • Customize Your Festive Treat: Easily adaptable with different colored M&M's or sprinkles, these cookies can match any holiday theme or personal preference, making them versatile for various celebrations.

Grinch Cookies Ingredient Breakdown

Base Ingredients:
  • Flour: Fine white powder for cookie structure.
  • Baking Powder: Leavening agent for soft texture.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and brown.
  • Cornstarch: Adds tenderness to cookies.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy base.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients together.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds classic baking flavor.
  • Green Food Coloring: Creates Grinch-like green color.
Mix-In Ingredients:
  • M&M's: Colorful candy pieces for festive touch.

Grinch Cookies Holiday Baking Guide

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Heat your oven to a toasty 375°F. Grab a baking sheet and cover it with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

Step 2: Blend Dry Ingredients

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine:
  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Cornstarch
  • Salt

Sift these ingredients together to create a smooth, lump-free mixture.

Step 3: Whip Up Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud. Add eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and a splash of green food coloring to give your cookies that Grinchy charm.

Step 4: Merge Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix until just combined. Gently fold in colorful M&M’s, creating a festive cookie dough.

Step 5: Shape and Bake Cookies

Scoop dollops of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave some space between each cookie. Slide the sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely. Watch as they transform from gooey to perfectly crisp and delightful.

Baking Help for Grinch Cookies

  • Color Control: Use gel food coloring for vibrant green without changing cookie texture, ensuring a true Grinch-inspired look.
  • Chill for Perfect Shape: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent cookies from spreading too much and maintain crisp edges.
  • Smart M&M Placement: Press extra red and green M&M's on top of cookie dough balls before baking for a more festive, decorative appearance.
  • Moisture Magic: Add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to keep cookies soft and prevent them from becoming dry or crumbly.
  • Storage Hack: Store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain softness and prevent them from becoming hard.

How to Keep Grinch Cookies Soft and Sweet

  • Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe bag, and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Warm cookies on a microwave-safe plate for 10-15 seconds to restore softness. Check temperature to avoid overheating.
  • Preheat oven to 275°F, place cookies on baking sheet, and warm for 3-5 minutes to revive texture and bring back fresh-baked taste.

Grinch Cookies Companion Flavors

  • Boost Holiday Flavor Pairings
  • Pair Festive Cocoa with Cookies: Rich hot chocolate complements the sweet green cookies, enhancing the whimsical Grinch theme with warm, comforting notes that blend perfectly with the cookie's sugary texture.
  • Serve Chilled Peppermint Milkshake: A cool, minty shake contrasts the warm cookies, adding a refreshing holiday twist that matches the playful green color and creates a delightful dessert experience.
  • Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy vanilla ice cream provides a smooth, classic backdrop that highlights the cookie's bright green color and sweet M&M crunch, creating a nostalgic winter treat.
  • Suggest Sparkling Green Apple Spritzer: A light, fizzy green beverage echoes the cookie's color scheme, offering a fun, non-alcoholic option that adds brightness and festive cheer to the dessert spread.

Holiday Decorating Ideas for Grinch Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Green Grinch Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive bakers.
  • Vegan Holiday Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use egg replacer or mashed banana, and select vegan chocolate candies for plant-based diets.
  • Low-Sugar Christmas Cookies: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of sugar, reducing overall calorie content while maintaining festive green color.
  • Dairy-Free Winter Treats: Substitute butter with dairy-free margarine or olive oil, ensuring those with lactose intolerance can enjoy the holiday cookie.

FAQs

  • Can I use natural food coloring instead of artificial green food coloring?

Yes, you can use natural alternatives like matcha powder or spinach extract to achieve the green color, though the shade might be slightly different from the traditional bright green.

  • What type of M&M's work best for Grinch Cookies?

Use green and red holiday M&M’s to keep with the Grinch theme, but any color M&M’s will taste delicious if you prefer a different look.

  • How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking, which helps prevent excessive spreading and maintains the cookies’ shape.

  • Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking, or freeze the dough for up to 2 weeks for later use.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Grinch Cookies Recipe

Grinch Cookies Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Green chocolate chip cookies called Grinch Cookies bring Christmas cheer with their festive red and green color palette. Whimsical treats blend sweet white chocolate and holiday spirit, delighting guests with cheerful seasonal baking magic you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (227 grams) Unsalted butter
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 1 2/3 cups (333 grams) Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (255 grams) Red and green M&Ms
  • Green food coloring

Dry Ingredients:

  • 3 cups (375 grams) All-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon Cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon Salt

Flavoring:

  • Green food coloring

Instructions

  1. Prepare workspace by positioning oven rack in center and heating to 375°F, then cover baking sheet with parchment paper for smooth cookie release.
  2. Sift together all dry powdery ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt – ensuring smooth, lump-free mixture.
  3. Whip butter and sugar in separate mixing bowl until texture becomes airy and pale, creating fluffy foundation for cookie dough.
  4. Incorporate eggs individually into butter mixture, blending thoroughly after each addition to maintain consistent texture.
  5. Introduce vibrant green food coloring and vanilla extract, stirring until color distributes evenly throughout dough.
  6. Carefully fold dry ingredient mixture into wet ingredients, mixing gently to prevent overmixing and maintain soft cookie texture.
  7. Gently integrate colorful M&M’s throughout dough, distributing candies evenly for balanced sweet bursts in each cookie.
  8. Portion dough using rounded scoops onto prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies to allow proper spreading during baking.
  9. Slide tray into preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn slightly golden and centers appear set.
  10. Remove cookies and transfer immediately to wire cooling rack, allowing them to firm and reach perfect chewy consistency.

Notes

  • Choose gel food coloring for vibrant green color without changing cookie texture.
  • Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain shape.
  • Swap regular M&M’s with white chocolate chips for a snowier Grinch-themed cookie variation.
  • Use gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 170
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Marcus Hale

Marcus Hale

Founder & Recipe Storyteller

Expertise

  • Demystifying knife work, sauce emulsification, and pastry basics.
  • Curating seasonal guides that adapt global recipes to local, in-season produce.
  • Crafting blog posts, videos, and social media tips.

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on global cuisine training emphasizes sustainable cooking and recipe development under accredited chefs.

Marcus grew up surrounded by maple trees, farm stands, and the smell of Sunday stew simmering on the stove. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from the HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he knew he didn’t want to work in fancy kitchens, he wanted to cook for real people.

At Whip Up Cook Up, Marcus is the guy turning memories into meals. His recipes are fast, full of flavor, and built for home cooks who want big taste without the drama.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star