Grinch Cookies with Peppermint and Green Food Coloring Recipe

If you’re dreaming of a fun, festive treat that screams holiday cheer and packs a punch of peppermint goodness, you have to try my Grinch Cookies with Peppermint and Green Food Coloring Recipe. These little green delights are soft, fluffy, and bursting with that wintry mint flavor that just makes you want to cozy up with a cup of cocoa. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll be the star of your cookie platter and impossible to resist!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

I love how these ingredients come together to make cheerful and minty cookies that are light but flavorful. When shopping, look for a good quality white cake mix and gel food coloring to get that rich green color without watering down your dough.

• White cake mix: Your cookie base that guarantees softness without fussing over flour and leavening agents.
• Unsalted butter: Softened for easy mixing and rich flavor control.
• Large eggs: At room temperature for better incorporation and soft crumb.
• Peppermint extract: This brings the festive minty zing; you can swap with mint extract for a slightly different twist.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the flavor opposite the peppermint.
• Green gel food coloring: For that perfect Grinch green without watering down the dough.
• Powdered sugar: Used to coat the dough balls, keeping them from sticking and giving a delicate bite.
• Cornstarch: Mixed with powdered sugar to add a light barrier that helps the dough roll easier.
• Red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts: The finishing touch that’s adorable and adds a festive pop of color.

Variations

I’ve played around with a few ideas to make this Grinch Cookies with Peppermint and Green Food Coloring Recipe really my own, and it’s fun to personalize it for your own holiday style. Whether you want to dial up the chocolate or keep it allergy-friendly, there’s something here for you to try.

• Chocolate Peppermint Grinch Cookies: I once stirred in mini chocolate chips, which gave a sweet, melty surprise in every bite—big hit at my family gathering!
• Vegan variation: Swap the butter for vegan margarine and eggs for flax eggs; the texture changes a bit, but you still get great flavor and that festive color.
• Less sweet version: I sometimes use half the powdered sugar coating if you prefer something not too sugary—and it still looks fabulous.
• Festive shapes: Instead of scooping dough balls, roll out the dough slightly and cut into Grinch-themed shapes with cookie cutters before baking.

How to Make Grinch Cookies with Peppermint and Green Food Coloring Recipe

Step 1: Mix Together the Basics

First, preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so nothing sticks—this step made my life so much easier! Next, grab your hand mixer or stand mixer and combine the white cake mix, softened butter, and eggs until you get a nice uniform dough. You’ll notice it’s thick and a bit sticky—that’s perfect!

Step 2: Add Peppermint and Color

Now comes the fun part—add the peppermint and vanilla extracts, then mix in your green gel food coloring until you hit that festive shade of green you love. I like to start with a little coloring and build it up; it’s easier to add more than fix if it’s too bright. Mix on low just until everything is combined so you keep that lovely dough texture intact.

Step 3: Prepare Your Coating

In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar with the cornstarch. This combo is a game-changer—I discovered that this keeps the cookie dough from sticking to your hands or scoop and adds a delicate sweetness and texture.

Step 4: Scoop, Roll, and Bake

Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop (or a spoon if you don’t have one), scoop dough balls and roll them in the powdered sugar mixture to coat completely. The dough is sticky, so this step is essential to keep things tidy. Arrange the dough balls about one inch apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes—when the edges set and the tops appear dry, they’re ready!

Step 5: Add Your Festive Touch and Cool

Right when the cookies come out of the oven, gently press a red heart-shaped sprinkle or cinnamon heart in the center of each to give them that adorable Grinch-y pop. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling time helps them set up perfectly.

How to Serve Grinch Cookies with Peppermint and Green Food Coloring Recipe

Garnishes

I honestly keep it simple with the red heart-shaped sprinkles because they contrast so beautifully with the green, but I’ve also tried crushed candy canes sprinkled on top just before baking for a crunchy surprise. Both options add that extra festive touch I love.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm mug of hot chocolate (extra marshmallows, please!) or peppermint latte. If you’re doing a holiday party, I like to serve them alongside sugar cookies and gingerbread for a themed treat table.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking these Grinch Cookies tied up with a red ribbon as party favors, or arrange them around a platter with Holly and pine sprigs for a photo-worthy centerpiece. For kids, I’ve turned them into a “Grinch Snack Plate” with a small bowl of milk and green-themed candies — it’s always a fun hit.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh and soft for about 4 days. If you want to keep that just-baked texture, add a slice of bread in the container—it helps keep the cookies moist.

Freezing

Once the cookies are completely cool, I freeze them flat in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They hold up great for up to 3 months and thaw quickly when you’re ready to enjoy them again.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop a couple of cookies in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, which revives their softness beautifully. You could also do a quick warm-up in a low oven for around 5 minutes if you prefer a slight crisp edge.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Grinch Cookies with Peppermint and Green Food Coloring Recipe turns out every time — the color, the flavor, the texture… it all just feels perfect for the holidays. When I first made these, I had no idea they’d become a staple in my Christmas baking rotation, but now my whole family goes crazy for them. If you want a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s easy, fun, and festive, grab your mixing bowl and give these a try this season. I promise you’ll be smiling as much as the Grinch does — maybe even more!

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