Are you ready to make your heart grow three sizes this holiday season? Get ready to whip up a batch of the most charmingly mischievous treats around: our irresistible Grinch Heart Cookies! Imagine a soft, chewy cookie, bursting with a cool peppermint flavor, vibrant Grinch green, and topped with a tiny, heartwarming red sprinkle. It’s the perfect way to add a touch of Dr. Seuss magic to your Christmas baking. These cookies aren’t just a dessert; they’re a festive statement, bringing smiles and perhaps a bit of Grinchy mischief to any gathering. Let’s dive into making these delightful, heart-stealing cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Grinch Heart Cookies aren’t just another cookie recipe; they’re a holiday experience! Here are four reasons why they’ll become your new favorite Christmas tradition:
- Super Easy & Quick: Starting with a convenient cake mix base means less measuring and mixing, getting you from prep to plate in just 25 minutes! Perfect for busy holiday schedules.
- Festively Fun: The vibrant Grinch green, paired with a tiny red heart, perfectly captures the spirit of the beloved character. They’re a visual delight that kids and adults alike will adore.
- Deliciously Chewy & Minty: Each bite offers a wonderfully soft, chewy texture with a refreshing burst of peppermint flavor. It’s a delightful combination that’s utterly addictive.
- Perfect for Sharing: Yielding 30 cookies, this recipe is ideal for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or simply spreading joy to friends and family. They’re guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients for Your Grinch Heart Cookies
Gather your festive ingredients to bring these whimsical Grinch Heart Cookies to life. Most of these are likely already in your pantry!
- 🎂 1 (15.25 ounces) box white cake mix
- 🧈 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 🥚 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 🍃 2 teaspoons peppermint extract (or mint extract)
- 🌰 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 🟢 Green gel food coloring (adjust to your preferred Grinchy shade!)
- 🍬 ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 🍚 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ❤️ Red heart-shaped sprinkles (for that perfect finishing touch!)
Detailed Directions: How to Make Grinch Heart Cookies
Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of delightful Grinch Heart Cookies. It’s easier than stealing Christmas!
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and set it aside.
- In a mixing bowl, effortlessly combine the cake mix, softened butter, and eggs using a hand-held or stand mixer until they are wonderfully blended.
- Next, stir in your peppermint and vanilla extracts. Add green gel food coloring gradually until you achieve a vibrant Grinch green. Mix on low speed just until everything is perfectly combined; the dough will be lovely and thick.
- In a small, separate bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch until it’s a light, fluffy mix.
- Scoop out about 1.5 tablespoons of the dough for each cookie (a medium cookie scoop works great!). Gently roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar mixture to coat it completely. Place these sweet, coated balls about 1 inch apart on your prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges look set and the tops of the cookies appear dry. Don’t overbake to keep them soft!
- As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, immediately press a red heart-shaped sprinkle onto the center of each warm cookie. This helps it stick perfectly!
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool down completely. Enjoy your festive, heart-stealing treats!
Presenting and Serving Your Grinch Heart Cookies
These adorable Grinch Heart Cookies are too cute not to show off! Here are some creative ways to present and serve them, making them even more special for your holiday festivities:
- Festive Platter Display: Arrange them artfully on a white or red platter. You can intersperse them with other holiday treats or a scattering of extra red heart sprinkles for a vibrant, festive look.
- Cookie Exchange Star: Package them in clear cellophane bags tied with a festive ribbon. They make perfect gifts for cookie exchanges or as thoughtful presents for neighbors and teachers.
- Dessert Bar Centerpiece: Stack them high on a tiered dessert stand alongside other holiday goodies. Their vibrant green color will instantly draw attention.
- Milk & Cookies Moment: Serve them with a tall glass of cold milk for a classic, comforting treat. The peppermint flavor pairs wonderfully with dairy.
- Coffee or Hot Chocolate Companion: These cookies are delightful alongside a warm mug of coffee, tea, or, for the ultimate treat, a rich hot chocolate with whipped cream.
- Ice Cream Topping: Crumble a few cooled cookies over vanilla ice cream for a unique, minty dessert sundae.
Storage and Shelf Life for Grinch Heart Cookies
Once you’ve made your batch of delightful Grinch Heart Cookies, you’ll want to ensure they stay fresh and delicious for as long as possible. Here’s how to store them:
- At Room Temperature: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. Make sure they are completely cool before storing to prevent condensation, which can make them soggy. You can place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking.
- In the Refrigerator: While not strictly necessary, if your home is particularly warm, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Let them come to room temperature for the best texture before serving.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: For longer storage, you can freeze the baked and cooled cookies. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. They can be stored for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
- Freezing Cookie Dough: You can also prepare the dough, roll it into balls, and coat them in the powdered sugar mixture. Place the coated dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, place frozen dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for an extra 1-2 minutes.
Always ensure your storage container is truly airtight to maintain their freshness and prevent them from drying out.
FAQs About Grinch Heart Cookies
Got questions about making your Grinch Heart Cookies? We’ve got answers!
- Can I use a different color food coloring?
Absolutely! While green is classic Grinch, you could make them red for Santa, blue for a winter wonderland, or any color you like. Just adjust the theme for your sprinkles!
- What if I don’t have peppermint extract?
You can substitute with ½ teaspoon almond extract for a different flavor profile, or increase the vanilla extract to 1 teaspoon for a purely vanilla cookie. Mint extract works perfectly too!
- Why do I need cornstarch in the powdered sugar mixture?
The cornstarch helps to keep the powdered sugar coating from melting into the cookie, giving it that classic “crinkle” appearance and a lovely, slightly crisp texture on the outside.
- Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Simply use a gluten-free white cake mix. Ensure all other ingredients (like extracts) are certified gluten-free as well.
- My cookies are spreading too much. What went wrong?
This can happen if your butter was too soft (almost melted), your oven temperature isn’t accurate, or if the dough wasn’t chilled enough (though this recipe doesn’t require chilling, ensure butter isn’t excessively warm). Ensure your butter is just softened, not melted.
- Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?
Gel food coloring is highly recommended. Liquid food coloring can add too much moisture to the dough, altering the texture, and won’t give you as vibrant a green color without using a lot.
- How do I get the heart sprinkles to stick perfectly?
The key is to press them onto the cookies immediately after they come out of the oven while they are still hot and soft. The residual heat helps the sprinkle adhere as the cookie cools.
- Can I double the recipe?
Yes, this recipe can easily be doubled. Just make sure you have a large enough mixing bowl and baking sheets.
- What kind of white cake mix should I use?
Any standard 15.25-ounce box of white cake mix will work perfectly. Brands like Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, or Pillsbury are all great options.
- Why are my cookies hard instead of soft and chewy?
Overbaking is the most common reason for hard cookies. Watch them closely and remove them as soon as the edges look set and the tops appear dry, even if the center looks slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool.
Grinch Heart Cookies
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Mixing Bowl
- Hand-held or Stand Mixer
- Cookie Scoop
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix (15.25 ounces)
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract (or mint extract)
- 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
- green gel food coloring adjust to your preferred Grinchy shade!
- 0.25 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- red heart-shaped sprinkles for that perfect finishing touch!
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and set it aside.
- In a mixing bowl, effortlessly combine the cake mix, softened butter, and eggs using a hand-held or stand mixer until they are wonderfully blended.
- Next, stir in your peppermint and vanilla extracts. Add green gel food coloring gradually until you achieve a vibrant Grinch green. Mix on low speed just until everything is perfectly combined; the dough will be lovely and thick.
- In a small, separate bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch until it’s a light, fluffy mix.
- Scoop out about 1.5 tablespoons of the dough for each cookie (a medium cookie scoop works great!). Gently roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar mixture to coat it completely. Place these sweet, coated balls about 1 inch apart on your prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges look set and the tops of the cookies appear dry. Don’t overbake to keep them soft!
- As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, immediately press a red heart-shaped sprinkle onto the center of each warm cookie. This helps it stick perfectly!
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool down completely. Enjoy your festive, heart-stealing treats!
Notes
Calories: 93 kcal
Total Carbs: 14 g
Net Carbs: 13 g
Fats: 4 g
Protein: 1 g Recipe Notes:
Feel free to adjust the amount of green food coloring to achieve your desired Grinchy shade. Don’t overbake the cookies to ensure they remain soft!