When the holiday season arrives and Christmas lights start glowing around the house, nothing brings more cheer than whipping up a fun and festive Grinch Cookies Recipe. These bright green cookies, topped with a little red heart, deliver all the charm of the classic Christmas story soft, chewy, buttery, and truly irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a Christmas movie night, classroom party, cookie exchange, or just want something cute and cozy for the holidays, this Grinch Cookies Recipe guarantees smiles.
I still remember the first time I made a batch of these Grinch Christmas cookies. The kids were curled up on the couch watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the fireplace crackled, and the kitchen filled with the sweet smell of vanilla and butter. When I brought out the tray of warm, soft Grinch cookies decorated with little red hearts, everyone gasped “It’s like the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes!”
From that moment on, this Grinch Cookies Recipe became a Christmas tradition in our home.
In this complete guide, you’ll find everything you need: ingredients, step-by-step instructions, coloring tips, variations, storage advice, and all the secrets to making soft Grinch cookies that stay chewy and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Grinch Cookies Recipe
This festive cookie is a favorite for a reason:
- Soft, chewy & bakery-style texture
- Bright green color perfect for the holidays
- Easy Grinch cookies—no chilling required
- Kid-friendly, fun, and great for gifting
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
- Works for cookie boxes, parties, and holiday dessert tables
- The adorable red heart makes them instantly iconic
This is exactly why so many families come back to this Grinch Cookies Recipe year after year.
Ingredients You’ll Need
(Full measurements in recipe card above)
This Grinch Cookies Recipe uses classic sugar-cookie ingredients with a festive twist.
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups (358g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (224g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp (233g) granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp (28g) brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Decorations
- Green gel icing color
- Red heart sprinkles
- 1–2 oz white chocolate (for attaching hearts if added after baking)
How to Make Grinch Cookies (Step-by-Step)
Follow these steps for a perfect Grinch Cookies Recipe every time.
Prepare the Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Salt
Set aside.
Cream the Butter & Sugars
Beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for 2–3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
Add Egg & Vanilla
Mix in:
- The egg
- Vanilla extract
Blend until combined.
Add Dry Ingredients
Pour dry ingredients into the wet bowl and mix gently.
Avoid over-mixing to keep your Grinch Cookies Recipe soft and tender.
Add Green Coloring
Add a small amount of green gel color.
Adjust to your desired shade of Grinch green.
Form Cookie Dough Balls
Scoop 1½-tablespoon dough balls.
Bake immediately or chill for thicker cookies.
Add the Heart
You can:
- Add the heart sprinkle before baking
or - Glue it on afterward using white chocolate
Bake
Bake for 7–8 minutes, until the edges are set but still soft in the center.
Cool 4–5 minutes on the tray, then transfer to a wire rack.
Add the Heart (If Needed)
Dot with melted white chocolate, attach the sprinkle, and let set.
Helpful Notes & Tips for the Best Grinch Cookies Recipe
Print
Grinch Cookies Recipe – Soft, Festive & Easy Christmas Treat
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
- These Grinch Cookies are soft, chewy, and festive! Perfect for holiday parties or Christmas movie nights.
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring
- Red heart sprinkles
- 1–2 oz white chocolate (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line baking sheets.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla and mix.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Mix in green gel coloring to reach desired Grinch green.
- Scoop dough into 1½ tbsp balls and bake for 7–8 minutes.
- Cool, then add heart sprinkles using melted white chocolate if needed.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant color.
- Chill dough if you want thicker cookies.
- Store in airtight container or freeze for later.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Sugar Tip
A bit of brown sugar ensures soft centers.
Using all granulated sugar makes cookies thicker and less chewy.
Flour Tip
Measure correctly too much flour leads to dry cookies.
Always spoon & level or use a scale.
Food Coloring Tip
Use gel, never liquid.
Electric green gives the perfect Grinch color.
Fun Grinch Cookie Variations
Try these fun twists on your Grinch Cookies Recipe:
- Grinch Sugar Cookies – leave out brown sugar
- Glitter Grinch Cookies – roll in sanding sugar
- Extra Soft Grinch Cookies – add an egg yolk
- Stuffed Grinch Cookies – fill with white chocolate
- Frosted Grinch Cookies – top with cream cheese frosting
How to Store Grinch Cookies
- Room Temp: 5–6 days
- Refrigerator: Up to 10 days
- Freezer (Baked): 2–3 months
- Freezer (Dough): 2–3 months
Freeze dough balls and bake from frozen for an easy Christmas baking shortcut.
Serving Suggestions
These Grinch Christmas cookies pair perfectly with:
- Hot cocoa
- Eggnog
- Christmas morning breakfast
- Holiday movie nights
- Classroom parties
- Christmas cookie boxes
This Grinch Cookies Recipe is perfect for holiday gifting and kids’ baking days.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my Grinch cookies spreading too much?
Too much food coloring or overly soft butter.
Chill dough 30–60 minutes.
Can I make them without chilling?
Absolutely this Grinch Cookies Recipe is designed to bake immediately.
What’s the best food coloring?
Highly concentrated gel.
How do I make them thicker and puffier?
Chill dough 1–2 hours.
Conclusion
This Grinch Cookies Recipe brings together everything we love about holiday baking colorful fun, soft chewy texture, simple ingredients, and a festive design that makes everyone smile. Whether you’re preparing treats for a Christmas party, planning a cozy movie night, or adding something special to your holiday cookie boxes, these Grinch cookies always become the star of the table. With their vibrant green color, sweet vanilla flavor, and signature red heart, this recipe is guaranteed to become a family tradition year after year.
If you’re looking for a holiday dessert that’s easy, adorable, and always crowd-pleasing, this Grinch Cookies Recipe is the perfect choice. Bake a batch, enjoy the warmth of the season, and share the holiday cheer one heart-filled cookie at a time.