Hey y'all! If you're looking to add a dash of whimsy and a splash of color to your holiday cookie tray, these Grinch Sugar Christmas Cookies are just what your heart (and taste buds) need. They're soft, buttery, vibrantly green, and inspired by everyone's favorite holiday mischief-maker—making them a hit for cookie exchanges, Christmas parties, or even a movie night. Ready for a batch of irresistibly cheerful cookies? Let's get cooking!
Why You'll Love This Grinch Sugar Christmas Cookies Recipe
- The bright green color and red heart are irresistibly festive and fun for kids and adults alike.
- Super soft, chewy cookies with a buttery vanilla flavor that melts in your mouth.
- Simple, pantry-friendly ingredients and easy-to-follow steps for bakers of any level.
- Perfect for gifting, party platters, or lounging with a seasonal movie.
- Customizable—swap sprinkles, shapes, or flavors for your own twist!
Ingredients for Grinch Sugar Christmas Cookies
- 2 ¼ cups (270g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for extra flavor)
- Green gel food coloring
- Red heart sprinkles (for decoration) source
- Powdered sugar (for rolling)
How to Make Grinch Sugar Christmas Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Dough
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In a stand mixer bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes, until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and optional almond extract until incorporated. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients just until combined. Add several drops of green gel food coloring and mix until the color is evenly distributed and it's a vibrant Grinch green. Cover and chill dough for at least 1 hour (this improves the cookies’ texture and shape).
Step 2: Shape and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop 1-tablespoon portions of dough and roll into smooth balls; lightly roll each in powdered sugar for a festive crackle effect. Place on trays several inches apart. Press one red heart sprinkle gently into each ball. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the cookies are just set on the edges but still soft in the center. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
Step 3: Decorate and Enjoy
Once completely cool, add extra green sprinkles or shimmer dust if desired for more holiday magic. Serve, share, and watch hearts grow three sizes!
Notes & Helpful Tips for Grinch Sugar Christmas Cookies
- For deeper green color, always use gel food coloring (it won't water down your dough); find recommendations at Cook's Illustrated.
- Chilling the dough prevents spreading—don't skip it!
- Press the heart sprinkle in while the dough ball is raw so it bakes in perfectly.
Grinch Sugar Christmas Cookies Variations
- Gluten-Free: Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix for the all-purpose flour.
- Grinch Peppermint Cookies: Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and top with crushed peppermint candies.
- Stuffed Grinch Cookies: Place a teaspoon of Nutella or white chocolate chips in the center before rolling into balls.
Required Equipment for Grinch Sugar Christmas Cookies
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop (1 tablespoon size) or spoon
- Wire racks for cooling
Storage Instructions & Shelf Life
Store Grinch Sugar Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze completely cooled cookies in sealed freezer bags for up to 2 months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Pairings & Serving Recommendations for Grinch Sugar Christmas Cookies
- Serve with hot cocoa or a festive holiday coffee.
- Pair with a platter of assorted Christmas cookies for parties.
- Perfect as an edible gift alongside a cozy mug (find inspiration at Good Housekeeping Edible Gifts).
- Snuggle up for a "Grinch" movie night with cookies and milk.
Pro Tips for the Best Grinch Sugar Christmas Cookies
- To avoid overbaking, pull cookies from the oven when the centers still look slightly underdone—they’ll finish setting as they cool (see more sugar cookie tips).
- Keep dough chilled between batches for consistent results.
- Use a fine sifter for the powdered sugar to get a delicate, even coating.
FAQ: Grinch Sugar Christmas Cookies
- Can I make the dough ahead of time?
- Absolutely! You can make the dough up to two days in advance and keep refrigerated; just let it soften for 15 minutes before scooping.
- Can I freeze these cookies?
- Yes, baked cookies freeze beautifully for up to 2 months; thaw at room temp before serving.
- What if I don't have red heart sprinkles?
- You can pipe a small heart with red icing or use any small red candy as a substitute.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Chill time: 1 hour
Bake time: 8-10 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: About 30 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring
- 24 red heart-shaped candies
Instructions
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1Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
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2In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
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3In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, then mix in a few drops of green gel food coloring until desired color is reached.
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4Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
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5Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Place a red heart-shaped candy on each cookie.
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6Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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