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    Home » Desserts » Grinch Cookies

    Grinch Cookies

    Published: Dec 6, 2021 · Modified: Dec 7, 2021 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Grinch cookies are soft, buttery cookies. This easy, one-bowl recipe takes just minutes to make - no chilling necessary, so you can whip up a batch in less time than it takes to watch the movie!

    Grinch cookies on a piece of parchment paper.

    How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a classic Christmas movie for a reason! Even though it's a kids' movie, it's an all-ages favorite because of its message.

    These buttery cookies are fun Christmas cookies that pay tribute to the movie. They are quick and easy to make, and they're made in one bowl (so there's less to clean up)!

    Whip up a batch of these cookies, and you may find a new favorite Christmas cookie or movie night treat.

    Ingredients and substitutions

    • Butter - I use salted butter. If using unsalted butter, add an additional ¼ teaspoon of salt.
    • Granulated sugar
    • Large egg
    • Egg yolk - The egg yolk helps to add a bit of chew to the cookies.
    • Vanilla extract - Feel free to add more vanilla if you'd like.
    • All-purpose flour - It's important to properly weigh the flour. Either weigh it or sift/stir it to break it up. Then lightly spoon into a measuring cup and level.
    • Cream of tartar
    • Baking soda
    • Salt
    • Green food coloring  - Green gel food coloring or regular green food dye will work.
    • Granulated sugar - The granulated sugar helps add flavor.
    • Powdered sugar 
    • Heart sprinkles - I used candy red heart sprinkles with a small heart inside of a bigger heart (affiliate link). I liked the heart within a heart because the Grinch's small heart grows three sizes in the movie.

    How to make Grinch cookies

    Preheat oven to 350F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.

    In a large bowl, use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer to beat butter and sugar together until well-combined, about 3 minutes on medium.

    Creamed butter and sugar in a silver mixing bowl.

    Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Beat until well-combined.

    Egg and egg yolk mixed into creamed butter and sugar.

    Add flour, cream of tartar, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Stir in just until combined.

    Wet and dry ingredients for Grinch cookies mixed together.

    Add food coloring, and stir in just until combined. Using a cookie scoop, scoop dough into tablespoon-sized scoops.

    Grinch cookie batter in a silver mixing bowl.

    Roll in granulated sugar.

    Scoop of Grinch cookie dough in dish of granulated sugar.

    Then roll the cookie dough in powdered sugar.

    Grinch cookie dough rolled in powdered sugar.

    Place the cookie dough balls 2" apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes. The edges should be set, and the centers should be soft.

    Immediately, gently press a heart candy sprinkle into each cookie. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

    Close up photo of a Grinch cookie next to a beaded Christmas garland.

    Can I add the heart sprinkles before baking?

    That will depend on your sprinkles. I used Wilton heart sprinkles, and mine melted in the oven when I added them before baking.

    Storage

    The cookies will keep for up to 4 days in an airtight container at room temperature. You may notice that the powdered sugar melts in as the cookies sit.

    Stack of Grinch cookies on a piece of parchment paper.

    More Christmas cookie recipes!

    • No Chill Sugar Cookies
    • Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies
    • Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
    • No Chill Gingerbread Men

    If you’ve tried this Grinch cookie recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

    You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.

    Grinch cookies on a piece of parchment paper.

    Grinch Cookies

    Grinch cookies are soft butter cookies that are green with heart sprinkles.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Total Time: 23 minutes
    Servings: 34 cookies
    Calories: 137kcal
    Author: Kate @ I Heart Eating

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup butter at room temperature
    • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
    • 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon green food coloring
    • Granulated sugar
    • Powdered sugar
    • Heart sprinkles
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until well-combined
    • Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Beat until well-combined.
    • Add flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
    • Stir in just until combined.
    • Add food coloring, and stir in just until combined.
    • Scoop dough into tablespoon-sized scoops.
    • Roll in granulated sugar and then in powdered sugar.
    • Place 2" apart on prepared baking sheets.
    • Bake for 8-10 minutes. The edges should be set, and the centers should be soft.
    • Immediately gently press a heart sprinkle into each cookie.
    • Remove to wire racks to cool.

    Notes

    • Butter - I use salted butter. If using unsalted butter, add an additional ¼ teaspoon of salt.
    • Egg yolk - The egg yolk helps to add a bit of chew to the cookies.
    • Vanilla extract - Feel free to add more vanilla if you'd like.
    • All-purpose flour - It's important to properly weigh the flour. Either weigh it or sift/stir it to break it up. Then lightly spoon into a measuring cup and level.
    • Green food coloring  - Green gel food coloring or regular green food dye will work.
    • Granulated sugar - The granulated sugar helps add flavor.
    • Heart sprinkles - I used candy red heart sprinkles with a small heart inside of a bigger heart (affiliate link). I liked the heart within a heart since the Grinch's small heart grows three sizes in the movie.
    • Nutrition values are estimates. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 99mg | Potassium: 37mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 174IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Rate it below. Mention @i_heart_eating on Instagram & tag #ihearteating!
    « Italian Cream Cake
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    About Kate

    Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lena

      December 13, 2021 at 4:07 pm

      5 stars
      My grandkids loved these cookies. The grinch is one of our favorites.

      Reply
      • Kate

        December 13, 2021 at 6:11 pm

        Thank you! Ours too!

        Reply

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    I’m Kate Dean- mom to five young kids, recipe developer, and photographer. Here at I Heart Eating®, I share my family’s favorite tried-and-true recipes.

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