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Simple Grinch Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.2 from 53 reviews

These Simple Grinch Cookies are festive, vibrant green treats perfect for holiday celebrations. With a soft, chewy texture and a crackled powdered sugar coating, they capture the whimsical spirit of the Grinch using red heart-shaped sprinkles as a charming accent. Made with basic ingredients like all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, eggs, and butter, and colored with green gel food coloring, these cookies are easy to prepare and a delightful holiday favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour (King Arthur preferred)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch (for coating)

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • Green gel food coloring (McCormick or Wilton recommended, about 2 drops)

Decorations

  • Red heart-shaped sprinkles (optional but recommended)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure even baking and prevent sticking. Measuring out all ingredients beforehand helps streamline the process.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, 2 cups powdered sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly mixed. This ensures the leavening agent is well distributed for proper cookie rise and texture.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients and Color: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, room temperature eggs, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes until slightly fluffy. Add about 2 drops of green gel food coloring and continue mixing until the dough is uniformly bright green with no streaks.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and stir with a spatula or mixer on low speed just until combined to avoid tough cookies. The dough should come together quickly into a cohesive mass.
  5. Prepare Coating and Shape Dough: Mix the 1/2 cup powdered sugar and cornstarch in a small shallow bowl to create the crackled coating. Using a tablespoon measure, scoop about 1½ tablespoons of dough into balls, then roll each ball in the cornstarch-sugar mixture ensuring full coating.
  6. Arrange and Bake: Place coated dough balls on the lined baking sheets spaced about 3 inches apart. Gently press down the top of each ball with your palm to promote even baking. Bake for 12 minutes or until edges show crackling and bottoms turn light golden brown.
  7. Add Sprinkles and Cool: Immediately after taking the cookies out of the oven, press a red heart-shaped sprinkle into the center of each warm cookie so it adheres well. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing the crackled texture to set and develop a chewy-crispy finish.
  8. Serve or Store: Serve once cooled. Store leftover cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and texture.

Notes

  • Use gel food coloring rather than liquid to avoid altering dough consistency.
  • Room temperature eggs and butter produce better dough texture and easier mixing.
  • Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender rather than tough.
  • Pressing the dough balls slightly before baking helps even cooking and crackling.
  • Applying sprinkles while cookies are warm ensures they stick properly.
  • Cookies can be stored at room temperature in airtight containers for up to 5 days.

Keywords: Grinch cookies, green cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas baking, festive cookies, powdered sugar coating, red heart sprinkles, chewy cookies

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/simple-grinch-cookies-recipe/