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Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

4.5 from 221 reviews

These festive Grinch Cake Mix Cookies are a fun and easy holiday treat made with a vanilla cake mix and bright green food coloring to capture the whimsical spirit of the Grinch. Soft and chewy on the inside with a sweet powdered sugar coating, they are perfect for holiday parties or a festive family baking activity. The candy hearts or sprinkles add a playful, colorful touch that mimics the Grinch’s mischievous personality.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 box vanilla cake mix (Betty Crocker recommended)
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Green gel food coloring, as needed for desired color

Coating

  • ⅓ cup confectioners’ sugar
  • ⅓ cup cornstarch

Decoration

  • Candy hearts or sprinkles, for decorating

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add green gel food coloring little by little, mixing until the dough reaches a bright, festive green shade. Ensure the ingredients are fully incorporated for a smooth dough.
  2. Chill the dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This helps to firm up the dough, making it easier to handle and preventing excessive spreading during baking.
  3. Preheat the oven and prepare coating: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, mix together the confectioners’ sugar and cornstarch to create the coating mixture.
  4. Shape and coat cookies: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, form dough balls and roll each ball in the confectioners’ sugar and cornstarch mixture to completely coat the surface. This coating creates the signature powdery exterior.
  5. Arrange and decorate: Place the coated dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart. Press a candy heart or sprinkle gently into the center of each cookie for decoration.
  6. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Avoid overbaking to keep the chewy texture.
  7. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage and helps them set properly.

Notes

  • Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant green without altering the cookie texture.
  • Chilling the dough is essential to prevent cookies from spreading too much while baking.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • For a stronger vanilla flavor, you can increase the vanilla extract to 1 teaspoon.
  • If you prefer a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free vanilla cake mix.

Keywords: Grinch cookies, green cookies, holiday treats, cake mix cookies, Christmas cookies, festive desserts