The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
If you’re looking for a holiday treat that is festive, adorable, and incredibly easy to make, these Grinch Crinkle Cookies are the perfect Christmas baking project. Soft, chewy, and coated in snowy powdered sugar, these bright green cookies are inspired by the beloved Dr. Seuss classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The addition of a single red candy heart gives them their iconic Grinch look—sweet, simple, and full of holiday charm.
What makes this recipe so irresistible is how unbelievably easy it is. Made with cake mix as the base, these cookies require minimal ingredients, minimal effort, and almost no baking skills. Whether you’re baking with kids, prepping treats for a Christmas party, or filling holiday cookie tins, these cookies bring maximum festive fun with minimum work.
Let’s explore why Grinch Crinkle Cookies have become a Christmas staple and how to make them perfectly chewy and delicious every time.
Why Grinch Crinkle Cookies Are So Loved
✔ Festive and Fun
Their bright green color and heart sprinkle make them instantly recognizable and perfect for holiday gatherings.
✔ Super Easy Recipe
With cake mix as the base, you can whip these up in minutes using pantry staples.
✔ Kid-Friendly and Kid-Approved
Children love rolling the dough in powdered sugar and placing the red candy hearts.
✔ Soft, Chewy, and Irresistible
These cookies stay soft and chewy for days thanks to the cake mix texture.
✔ Perfect for Cookie Exchanges
Unique, cute, and delicious—they always stand out!
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 1 box white cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1–2 tsp green gel food coloring
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Coating & Decoration
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- Red candy heart sprinkles
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil.
- Mix until a thick dough forms.
- Add green gel food coloring until you reach a bold Grinch-green shade.
- Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes to make it easier to roll.
2. Form the Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Scoop dough into 1–tablespoon balls.
- Roll each ball heavily in powdered sugar.
- Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.
3. Bake
- Bake for 9–11 minutes until the tops are cracked and the edges are set.
- Immediately press a red candy heart onto the center of each warm cookie.
4. Cool
- Allow cookies to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Grinch Crinkle Cookies
Soft, chewy green crinkle cookies coated in powdered sugar and topped with a red candy heart—an easy Christmas treat made with cake mix.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Combine cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil to form dough. Add green food coloring.
- Chill dough for 20–30 minutes.
- Roll dough into balls and coat in powdered sugar.
- Bake at 350°F for 9–11 minutes until cracked on top.
- Press a red heart sprinkle onto each warm cookie and cool completely.
Notes
For a brighter green, add more gel food coloring.
Expert Tips for Perfect Crinkle Cookies
1. Use Gel Coloring Only
Gel food coloring gives the most vibrant Grinch-green without watering down the dough.
2. The More Powdered Sugar, the Better
Roll the dough generously to create dramatic white crinkle lines.
3. Don’t Overbake
Take the cookies out when the centers still look soft—they’ll finish setting on the tray.
4. Chill the Dough
Cold dough holds its shape better and creates cleaner cracks.
5. Use Heart Sprinkles While Warm
Press the hearts on immediately after baking so they stick perfectly.
Fun Variations
❤️ Grinch Kiss Cookies
Press a Hershey’s Kiss in the center instead of a heart.
❤️ Grinch Stuffed Cookies
Wrap the dough around a square of white chocolate.
❤️ Mint Grinch Cookies
Add ½ tsp peppermint extract for a holiday mint flavor.
❤️ Gluten-Free Version
Use gluten-free cake mix—no other changes needed!
Serving Suggestions
Grinch Crinkle Cookies pair perfectly with:
- Hot cocoa with whipped cream
- Eggnog
- Christmas charcuterie dessert boards
- Holiday brunch menus
- Classroom parties
- Elf-on-the-Shelf activities
They are also beautiful in cookie boxes, mason jar gifts, and Christmas Eve dessert trays.
Storage & Freezing
Room Temperature:
Keep in an airtight container up to 5 days.
Freeze Dough Balls:
Freeze for up to 2 months. Roll in powdered sugar after thawing slightly.
Freeze Baked Cookies:
Freeze up to 3 months—place parchment between layers.
Fun Holiday Fact
The red heart symbolizes the moment the Grinch’s heart “grew three sizes.” Including the little candy heart makes these cookies not only festive—but meaningful and nostalgic.
