Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking to whip up something fun, festive, and downright adorable this holiday season, you’ve got to try this Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Recipe! These cookies are a total crowd-pleaser with their bright green color and soft, cakey texture that just melts in your mouth. I love how simple they are to make with just a few ingredients, and they bring that whimsical Grinch vibe perfect for Christmas parties or just cozying up with a cup of cocoa.

What makes this Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Recipe special is the way it uses a vanilla cake mix as a base, so you get that light, fluffy cookie without the fuss of starting from scratch. Plus, adding green food coloring and a dusting of powdered sugar gives them a festive twist that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become a holiday tradition in your kitchen just like they did in mine!

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together seamlessly to create soft, chewy, and vividly green cookies that bake up beautifully every time. Make sure to grab gel food coloring for the brightest, most vibrant green—liquid color won’t give you that pop!

• Vanilla cake mix: I prefer Betty Crocker for consistency, but any boxed vanilla cake mix works well here.
• Vegetable oil: Helps keep the cookies moist and tender without a greasy feel.
• Eggs: Binding agents that also add a little richness.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the vanilla flavor in the cake mix and balances the green color.
• Green gel food coloring: Use gel for intense color without adding extra liquid.
• Confectioners sugar (powdered sugar): For rolling the cookies to get that classic snowy look.
• Cornstarch: Adds extra softness and gives the cookie a slight chewiness I love.
• Candy hearts or sprinkles: These add festive charm and sweetness—perfect for that Grinch-y touch.

Variations

I love how flexible this Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is—it’s a blank canvas for your creativity. Feel free to tweak add-ins or even the type of cake mix you use to match your mood or occasion!

• Chocolate cake mix variation: I once swapped in chocolate cake mix for a rich twist and rolled the cookies in crushed peppermint for a festive crunch—so good!
• Gluten-free option: Use a gluten-free cake mix and gluten-free cornstarch for the same soft texture without worry.
• Festive mix-ins: Add mini chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, or chopped nuts if you like some surprises in each bite.
• Different colors: Though green is classic Grinch, you could switch the food coloring to red or blue for a themed party.

How to Make Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Wet Ingredients and Color It Green

Start with your vanilla cake mix in a large bowl, then add the vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir them together thoroughly, but don’t overmix—you want everything just combined. Now comes the fun part: add the green gel food coloring a little at a time until you reach that perfect Grinch green. I usually start with about 1 teaspoon and add more if I want it bolder. Your batter will look super bright, which is exactly what we want!

Step 2: Add the Cornstarch for Softness

Sprinkle in the cornstarch to the bowl and gently fold it into the dough. This extra step is key—cornstarch keeps the cookies soft and cakey instead of crispy, which is exactly what makes them so addicting. If you forget this, your cookies could end up too firm, so don’t skip it!

Step 3: Chill and Roll in Powdered Sugar

I like to chill the dough in the fridge for about 20 minutes before rolling it into balls. This helps control the sticky dough and makes shaping easier (plus, you avoid spreading during baking). Roll each ball in the confectioners sugar generously—that’s what gives the cookies their signature snowy, frosted look that’s both pretty and sweet.

Step 4: Bake Until Just Set

Place your sugar-coated dough balls on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, spacing them apart for spreading. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9-10 minutes or until the edges just start to set but the center still looks soft. They’ll firm up as they cool, so it’s better to underbake slightly than overbake. I’ve ruined batches before by leaving them too long, so keep an eye on the oven!

Step 5: Add Your Grinch-y Toppings

Once out of the oven, while the cookies are still warm, gently press candy hearts or sprinkles into the tops for that cute Grinch vibe. It’s such a fun detail that kids and adults love. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack to finish setting up.

How to Serve Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle extra powdered sugar over the cooled cookies for a little extra “snow” effect. Sometimes, I add a few red cinnamon candies around to keep the Christmas color theme strong—it’s all about the presentation! These finishing touches make the cookies look store-bought but way more special because you made them.

Side Dishes

Try serving these cookies alongside a warm mug of peppermint hot chocolate or classic eggnog. They also pair wonderfully with a simple bowl of mixed nuts or fruit—balancing the sweetness with something fresh. I love setting them out on a holiday dessert tray with an assortment of seasonal treats.

Creative Ways to Present

For Christmas parties, I like stacking the cookies in a pyramid shape and decorating with little edible stars or more candy hearts around the platter. Wrapping a stack in cellophane with a red ribbon makes a perfect homemade gift too. One year, I even shaped the dough into mini Grinch faces before baking—kind of tricky but super cute if you want to get crafty.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Grinch Cake Mix Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I usually put parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together. They stay soft and delicious, but if your kitchen is dry, adding a slice of bread to the container can help maintain moisture.

Freezing

I freeze the raw dough shaped into balls on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer bag. This way, I can bake fresh batches anytime without starting from scratch. When ready, bake them straight from frozen—just add a minute or two to the bake time. The cookies come out just as soft and vibrant as the first batch!

Reheating

If you want to warm up leftovers, pop a cookie in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This revives that fresh-baked softness and lets the flavors bloom again. Just be careful not to overheat or they’ll get too soft and crumbly.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking lineup because it’s quick, fun, and downright delicious every time. Whether you’re baking with kids, hosting a Christmas party, or just craving a sweet little treat, these cookies deliver a little joy and a lot of festive cheer. Honestly, give this recipe a try—you’ll impress everyone with how adorable and tasty they are, and you might just start a new holiday tradition of your own!

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