Grinchy Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Celebrate the holiday season with these festive Grinchy Cookies. Bright green and topped with a red heart, they add a whimsical touch to any cookie tray and are easy enough for bakers of all skill levels.

Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
- Red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and kosher salt until well combined.
- Step 3: In a separate large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until creamy and smooth.
- Step 4: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and continue beating until fully incorporated.
- Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Step 6: Add green food coloring a few drops at a time to the dough, mixing gently until you reach your desired shade of green.
- Step 7: Using a medium cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons), drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Step 8: Press one red heart sprinkle gently into the center of each cookie dough ball.
- Step 9: Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are set and the bottoms begin to turn golden brown.
- Step 10: Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack or serving plate.
Tips & Variations
- For a more intense green color, use gel food coloring instead of liquid to avoid altering the dough consistency.
- Try swapping the red heart sprinkles for mini M&Ms or colored sugar crystals for different festive looks.
- Make the cookies extra soft by slightly underbaking and letting them finish setting on the cooling sheet.
Storage
Store Grinchy Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them fresh longer, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to three months. Reheat briefly in a warm oven or microwave to regain softness before serving.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. This helps the flavors develop and makes dough easier to handle.
What can I use if I don’t have red heart sprinkles?
You can substitute with mini red candies, red sugar crystals, or small pieces of dried fruit like cherries for a similar festive touch.
Print
Grinchy Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27-29 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
These festive Grinchy Cookies are a fun and colorful treat perfect for holiday celebrations. Soft and buttery sugar cookies are tinted vibrant green and topped with red heart sprinkles, creating a whimsical homage to the Grinch. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, these cookies will delight kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Green food coloring, to desired color
Toppings
- Red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt until well combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In another large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and pure vanilla extract until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep cookies tender.
- Add Green Food Coloring: Add green food coloring a few drops at a time, stirring until the dough reaches your preferred vibrant green shade reminiscent of the Grinch.
- Scoop Dough onto Sheets: Using a medium cookie scoop (approximately 2 tablespoons), drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets. Place the dough 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Add Red Heart Sprinkles: Gently press one red heart sprinkle into the center of each cookie ball to add a pop of festive color and charm.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, until the edges are set and the bottoms turn a light golden color.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and better dough texture.
- Adjust the amount of green food coloring to get the perfect Grinch-like green color.
- For a more intense vanilla flavor, consider using vanilla bean paste instead of extract.
- Red heart sprinkles can be substituted with any festive sprinkles or edible decorations.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: holiday cookies, Grinch cookies, sugar cookies, green cookies, festive cookies, Christmas cookies, red sprinkles

