Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with these adorable, vibrant green cookies! Our Easy Grinch Cookies recipe is your secret weapon for festive baking. This incredibly simple, one-bowl method uses melted butter, meaning no waiting for butter to soften and no chilling the dough. You’ll have a batch of these iconic, heart-stamped treats ready for holiday parties or cozy nights in, bringing a touch of whimsical fun to your kitchen.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Easy Grinch Cookies
You’ll adore these festive cookies for so many reasons! They are incredibly quick to prepare, perfect for busy holiday schedules. The one-bowl method makes cleanup a breeze, saving you precious time. With no chilling required, you can bake them right away. Each cookie boasts a perfect festive green color, making them visually stunning. You’ll love their chewy centers and slightly crisp edges. Plus, the iconic red Grinch heart detail adds a playful touch every time.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your delightful Easy Grinch Cookies:
- 1 stick (4 ounces/ 8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
- 2 large egg yolks (no egg whites!)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3-5 drops green food gel coloring
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 12 small red heart sprinkles
Notes & Substitutions
- Don’t overmix the dough after adding the flour, as overmixing develops gluten and can make the cookies tough.
- Use gel food coloring for the most vibrant Grinch green since it’s much more concentrated than liquid coloring.
- Use a cookie scoop to keep all cookies uniform in size for even baking.
- Press the red heart sprinkles onto the cookies immediately after baking, while they’re still hot and soft.
- Always bake on a cool baking sheet to help prevent excessive spreading.
- Parchment paper helps create those signature crinkled tops.
- For perfectly round cookies, place a round cookie cutter slightly larger than the cookie over it and gently swirl while hot to reshape.
To understand how overmixing affects texture, it’s helpful to know that gluten development is generally detrimental to cookies, making them tough rather than chewy, as explained by resources on gluten in baking.
Equipment
You won’t need much for these simple cookies!
- Large mixing bowl
- Rubber spatula or spoon
- Small baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone mat
- Small cookie scoop (1.5 tablespoon)
- Small shallow dish (for rolling sugar)
- Wire cooling rack
How To Make Grinch Cookies
Let’s get baking these Easy Grinch Cookies!
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This prevents sticking and helps with even baking.
- Melt the butter in your large mixing bowl in the microwave, taking care not to burn it. Stir in the 2/3 cup granulated sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla extract until well combined. Now, add 3 drops of the green food gel coloring. Stir vigorously until the color is uniform. Feel free to add more green food coloring, one drop at a time, until you reach your desired vibrant Grinch green.
- Next, sprinkle the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and fine salt evenly over the wet ingredients. Stir the dough gently with a rubber spatula or spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Press the dough flat and evenly in the bowl, then divide it by eye into two equal halves. From each half, you should be able to form six cookies, totaling 12 Easy Grinch Cookies.
- Roll each portion of dough into a smooth ball in your hands. Pour extra granulated sugar into a small shallow dish. Lightly roll each dough ball in the sugar to coat it completely. Place the sugar-coated dough balls evenly spaced on your prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-11 minutes, or until the cookies have spread, started to crinkle on top, and appear dry. The edges should be set, but the centers will still be slightly puffy.
- Once you remove the cookies from the oven, immediately press a single red heart sprinkle into the top center of each cookie. It’s crucial to do this while the cookies are piping hot so the sprinkles adhere securely. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for just 2 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your festive Easy Grinch Cookies!
Pro Tips for Perfect Grinch Cookies
- Don’t overmix the dough after adding the flour, as overmixing develops gluten and can make the cookies tough.
- Use gel food coloring for the most vibrant Grinch green; it’s far more concentrated than liquid coloring.
- Use a cookie scoop to keep all cookies uniform in size for even baking.
- Press the red heart sprinkles onto the cookies immediately after baking, while they’re still hot and soft.
- Always bake on a cool baking sheet to help prevent excessive spreading.
- Parchment paper helps create those signature crinkled tops.
- For perfectly round cookies, place a round cookie cutter slightly larger than the cookie over it and swirl gently while hot to reshape.
Serving, Storage & Variations
These delightful green cookies are perfect for any holiday occasion!
Serving Suggestions
Serve these charming Easy Grinch Cookies warm from the oven for a gooey center, or completely cooled for a firmer bite. They pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk, a mug of rich hot cocoa, or even a festive peppermint latte. Arrange them on a holiday platter alongside other treats for a stunning display. They are the ideal addition to holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or a fun movie night.
Storage Instructions
- Store baked Easy Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To freeze unbaked dough, scoop and roll into balls, then freeze on a tray until solid before transferring to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- When baking from frozen, place dough balls directly on a baking sheet and add 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time.
- Baked cookies also freeze well for up to 3 months.
- Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Flavor Variations
Get creative with your cookies! Add 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract along with the vanilla for a minty twist. Experiment with different holiday sprinkles or edible glitters for varied festive looks. You can even try other food coloring combinations to match different themes, making these a versatile cookie base for any celebration.
Nutrition Information
Making these delicious cookies at home lets you control the ingredients, and they’re perfect for a festive treat. Here’s what each serving provides:
| Nutrition Information | |
|---|---|
| Yield | 12 |
| Serving Size | 1 |
| Amount Per Serving | |
| Calories | 138 |
| Total Fat | 3g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 49mg |
| Sodium | 117mg |
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 13g |
| Protein | 3g |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do these Grinch cookies crinkle?
Yes, these cookies develop beautiful crinkles on top as they bake, especially with the sugar coating.
Can I make Easy Grinch Cookies with cake mix?
While you could adapt a cake mix cookie recipe, this specific recipe uses standard pantry ingredients for a classic chewy texture.
How do I get a really bright green color?
Using gel food coloring is key! Add 3 drops initially, then add one drop at a time, mixing well after each addition, until you achieve your desired vibrant green.
Can I use liquid food coloring?
It’s not recommended. Liquid food coloring can thin out the dough and isn’t as concentrated, making it harder to get a truly bright green.
Why use only egg yolks?
Egg yolks contribute richness and moisture, resulting in a chewier, more tender cookie texture compared to using whole eggs.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Nope! This recipe is specifically designed to be no-chill, so you can bake these fun cookies right away.
Conclusion
This Grinch Cookies recipe is the perfect blend of simplicity and festive fun. With their vibrant green hue, chewy texture, and iconic heart sprinkles, they’re sure to bring smiles to everyone who tries them. This no-chill, one-bowl recipe makes holiday baking accessible and enjoyable, even for beginners. So go ahead, whip up a batch of these delightful treats and spread some holiday cheer! Happy baking!
Easy Grinch Cookies: Best No-Chill Recipe!
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Microwave
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Silicone mat
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 stick (4 ounces/ 8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar plus extra for rolling
- 2 large egg yolks no egg whites!
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3-5 drops green food gel coloring
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 12 red heart sprinkles
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Melt the butter, then stir in the granulated sugar, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and green food coloring until well combined and the desired green hue is achieved.
- Sprinkle the flour, baking soda, and salt evenly over the wet ingredients, then stir gently until just combined into a dough.
- Press the dough flat in the bowl and divide it into two halves by eye, yielding 12 cookies in total.
- Roll each dough portion into a ball, lightly coat it in extra granulated sugar, and space them evenly on the prepared baking sheet before baking for 10-11 minutes until golden and set.
- As soon as the cookies are out of the oven, quickly press a single red heart sprinkle into the top of each warm cookie to ensure it adheres, then let them rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.