Name: Grinch Crinkle Cookies for Christmas Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: PT-491091H39M47S
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix; ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Green gel food coloring, several drops; ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling); Red heart-shaped candies (red chocolate hearts or heart-shaped sprinkles); ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening (for melting chocolate)

If you’re on the lookout for a festive treat that’s both fun and delicious, you’ve got to try this Grinch Crinkle Cookies for Christmas Recipe. These vibrant green, crackly cookies not only look adorable but are soft, chewy, and packed with holiday cheer. I absolutely love how this recipe brings the playful spirit of the Grinch to life on your cookie plate—it’s always a hit at my Christmas parties. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through how to make these delightful cookies step by step, with plenty of tips to make sure they turn out perfect every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to Make: Using cake mix as a base makes this recipe a breeze for even novice bakers.
Fun Holiday Vibes: The bright green color and cute decorations bring that whimsical Grinch flair to your holiday cookie tray.
Soft & Chewy Texture: These cookies stay perfectly soft with just the right chewy bite—no dry, crumbly mess here!
Decorating Made Simple: Even if you’re not a pro, the easy chocolate and candy embellishments let you add personality effortlessly.

Grinch Crinkle Cookies for Christmas Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this Grinch Crinkle Cookies for Christmas Recipe come together quickly and are mostly pantry staples. I love that the white cake mix forms such a soft, tender base, and adding gel food coloring lets you get that signature Grinchy green shade without any fuss.

Flat lay of a small pile of white cake mix powder in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with melted golden butter, two large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl containing vibrant green gel food coloring, a small white bowl holding fine white powdered sugar, a handful of shiny red heart-shaped candies scattered beside a small white bowl of glossy semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a small white bowl with clear coconut oil, all arranged symmetrically and naturally on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Grinch Crinkle Cookies, Christmas Cookie Recipes, festive holiday treats, green crinkle cookies, easy holiday baking

White Cake Mix: This gives the cookies a tender crumb—just pick a good-quality box without too many added flavors.
Unsalted Butter: Melting it helps blend everything smoothly, plus you control the salt.
Eggs: These bind the dough and add moisture for that soft texture.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warm sweetness that balances the vibrant green color.
Green Gel Food Coloring: I recommend gel over liquid for a brighter color without messing with dough consistency.
Powdered Sugar: For coating the dough balls—this creates the classic crinkle effect as the cookies bake.
Red Heart-shaped Candies: Perfect for the Grinch’s nose, you can find these at most craft or baking stores.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These melt nicely for piping details like the grin.
Coconut Oil or Vegetable Shortening: Helps smooth out the melted chocolate so it pipes beautifully.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I’m all about putting your own spin on recipes, and this Grinch Crinkle Cookies for Christmas Recipe is no exception. Feel free to experiment with decorations or even try swapping ingredients to fit your dietary needs—the possibilities are so much fun!

Gluten-Free Version: I once swapped the cake mix for a gluten-free one and was amazed how well it still worked, keeping the texture soft and moist.
Chocolate Lovers: Add some cocoa powder to the mix for a chocolate-green Grinch twist, and pipe melted white chocolate for detailing instead.
Nut Allergies: This recipe is naturally nut-free as is—perfect if you’re baking for a crowd with allergies.
Alternate Decorations: Use red M&Ms or small gummy candies instead of heart-shaped chocolates if that’s what you have on hand—I’ve found those work great and add a different texture.

How to Make Grinch Crinkle Cookies for Christmas Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Dough with the Perfect Grinchy Hue

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat—trust me, that step saves you so much cleanup later. In a large bowl, mix the white cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined. I like to add the green gel food coloring little by little, stirring until I hit that unforgettable bright Grinch-green shade. Then pop the dough in the fridge for 15–20 minutes to chill; this step is a game changer because it helps the cookies hold their shape and not spread all over your pan.

Step 2: Roll, Coat, and Bake to Crackly Perfection

Once chilled, scoop about a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball—don’t be shy, the powdered sugar coating is important! Roll each ball generously in that powdered sugar until it’s completely coated; this will give you those iconic crinkles when baked. Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake them for just 8–10 minutes—watch closely so they don’t overbake! They should look set on top but still soft and slightly chewy. After baking, let them rest 5 minutes on the sheet before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 3: Give Your Cookies the Grinch’s Signature Grin

Melting your chocolate chips with coconut oil in short bursts in the microwave prevents burning—20 seconds, stir, repeat until silky smooth. Fill a piping bag or a ziplock with the melted chocolate and pipe a small dot onto each cookie’s center. Quickly press a red heart-shaped candy onto the dot to secure the Grinch’s mischievous nose—this crushes my whole family every time! Then, carefully pipe his iconic grin: two upward-curved lines on each side of the heart for the smile, and if you’re feeling creative, add little wrinkles or creases above the smile and between the eyes. Let the chocolate set at room temp or pop the whole tray in the fridge for about 15 minutes if you can’t wait!

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Pro Tips for Making Grinch Crinkle Cookies for Christmas Recipe

Chill Your Dough: Don’t skip refrigerating the dough—it really helps maintain those perfect crinkle cookies instead of flat ovals.
Use Gel Food Coloring: I learned the hard way that gel colors are best—they keep dough texture consistent and give vibrant color.
Watch Baking Time Closely: Cookies can go from perfect to dry super fast, so pull them out when edges look set but centers are still soft.
Pipe Carefully: For the Grinch grin, use a small tip or snip your bag mini tiny so you have full control and avoid messy chocolate blobs.

How to Serve Grinch Crinkle Cookies for Christmas Recipe

Grinch Crinkle Cookies for Christmas Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I really like to keep the garnish simple but festive—those little red heart-shaped candies not only look adorable but add a nice pop of color and a bit of crunch. Sometimes I sprinkle a tiny pinch of edible glitter for a magical sparkle effect that kids love. If you don’t have hearts, red sugar crystals work well too!

Side Dishes

For a full holiday dessert spread, I pair these cookies with a mug of peppermint hot chocolate or a simple glass of cold milk—it brings out the sweetness beautifully. If you’re feeling fancy, adding a fruit platter with citrus or berries cuts through the richness while keeping color on the table.

Creative Ways to Present

Presenting these Grinch Crinkle Cookies for Christmas Recipe on a festive platter lined with holiday napkins immediately amps up the charm. I love stacking them in a tiered candy stand during Christmas parties so everyone can grab ’em easily. Bonus points if you add a little Grinch figurine nearby to complete the theme—kids especially go wild for the playful setup!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These cookies keep really well stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3-4 days. I usually layer them between parchment paper to avoid sticking and keep that soft texture intact. They almost taste like they improve a little after a day as the flavors meld, which is always a nice surprise.

Freezing

Freezing is totally doable! I freeze the unbaked dough balls already rolled in powdered sugar on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag once solid. This way, you can bake fresh batches anytime during the season, which is a timesaver if you have holiday visitors popping in.

Reheating

To freshen up leftovers, I pop a cookie or two in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds—the warmth revives that chewy softness beautifully. Just be careful not to overheat or they’ll get tough. I wouldn’t recommend reheating the chocolate decorations, so enjoy those chilled or at room temp for best looks.

FAQs

Can I use a different color food coloring for these Grinch Crinkle Cookies for Christmas Recipe?

Absolutely! While green is iconic for the Grinch theme, you can have fun with red, blue, or even a peppermint swirl by mixing two colors. Just remember that gel food coloring works best for maintaining the dough’s texture while providing vivid color.
What if I don’t have heart-shaped candies for decoration?

No worries! You can use small red M&Ms, red sugar crystals, or even tiny gummy candies. The key is to add a bit of color and a festive touch to mimic the Grinch’s nose. I’ve done all of these, and they still look fantastic.
Can I make the dough ahead and bake later?

Yes! You can prepare the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. This actually intensifies the flavor and helps with the texture—just bring it back to room temp slightly before rolling and baking.
How do I avoid the cookies spreading too much during baking?

Chilling the dough before baking is crucial—it firms up the fat and prevents the cookies from flattening out. Also, make sure your oven is fully preheated to the right temperature so they bake quickly and hold their shape.

Final Thoughts

This Grinch Crinkle Cookies for Christmas Recipe has become a staple in my holiday baking lineup because it’s so simple, colorful, and downright fun. I love watching friends and family light up when they see these festive green cookies and then get that first delicious bite. If you’re looking to add a little whimsy and sweet nostalgia to your Christmas cookie selection, I really encourage you to try making these. Once you do, I have a feeling they’ll earn a favorite spot in your seasonal baking tradition just like they did in mine!