If you’re on the hunt for a festive treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you have to try Soft Grinch Cookies (Cake Mix) – Easy Green Christmas Cookies with Heart Sprinkles. These cookies are a celebration of everything joyful about the holiday season, boasting a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and that unmistakable bright green hue that perfectly captures the playful spirit of the Grinch. Topped with delicate red heart sprinkles, each bite is a delightful balance of sweetness and festive charm that will make you smile from the first taste to the last crumb.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple yet essential, each lending unique qualities like softness, vibrant color, and that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth feel that makes these cookies unforgettable.
- Vanilla Cake Mix: Provides the perfect base that’s both soft and flavorful, making the cookies tender and easy to whip up.
- Unsalted Butter (softened): Adds richness and moisture, ensuring the cookies stay delightfully soft.
- Canola Oil: Keeps the dough tender and contributes to the chewy texture we love in these cookies.
- Eggs (room temperature): Help bind all ingredients together while adding moisture for that perfect soft bite.
- Powdered Sugar: Used both in the dough and for coating, it adds a subtle sweetness and a delicate texture on the outside.
- Corn Starch: Mixed with powdered sugar for dusting, it prevents sticking and creates a beautifully soft exterior.
- Green Gel Food Coloring: The magic behind the iconic Grinch-green shade that makes these cookies instantly festive.
- Red Heart Sprinkles: Tiny pops of color that add a festive, loving touch and finish the look perfectly.
How to Make Soft Grinch Cookies (Cake Mix) – Easy Green Christmas Cookies with Heart Sprinkles
Step 1: Prepare and Preheat
Start by lining your cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, the ideal temperature for producing cookies that puff up just right, giving you that signature soft texture.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Coating
Combine the powdered sugar and corn starch in a loaf pan and mix thoroughly. This mixture will be crucial later for coating the cookie dough balls, creating a smooth, soft crust that’s irresistible to bite into.
Step 3: Make the Dough
In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, vanilla cake mix, canola oil, and eggs. The batter will be thick, almost like a dough. This base is packed with flavor and provides the structure and softness that make these Soft Grinch Cookies so wonderful.
Step 4: Add the Green Color
Next, stir in the green gel food coloring—about three drops should give you that perfect Grinch-green color. Feel free to adjust if you want it brighter or a bit deeper, but this iconic shade is sure to delight any festive crowd.
Step 5: Shape and Coat
Using a small ice cream scoop, take portions of dough and roll each piece in the powdered sugar and corn starch mixture you prepared earlier. This helps create that tender coating on the outside. After coating, roll the dough into smooth balls and place them on your cookie sheet, spacing them about two inches apart so they bake evenly.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookie balls at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they puff up just right. The cookies will be soft and slightly gooey—resist the urge to overbake for the best texture!
Step 7: Cool and Decorate
Let the cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Then, using a simple sugar glue made by mixing powdered sugar with a little water, stick a red heart sprinkle on top of each cookie. This final detail makes them look as adorable as they taste.
How to Serve Soft Grinch Cookies (Cake Mix) – Easy Green Christmas Cookies with Heart Sprinkles
Garnishes
While the red heart sprinkles are classic, feel free to add a tiny dusting of powdered sugar or even a drizzle of white chocolate to add an extra festive touch. Edible glitter or small silver dragees can elevate your cookie presentation if you’re aiming to impress.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a warm mug of eggnog, hot cocoa, or even a spicy chai latte. The soft, sweet cookie perfectly balances the rich, comforting flavors of holiday beverages and makes for an irresistible combination.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these Soft Grinch Cookies (Cake Mix) – Easy Green Christmas Cookies with Heart Sprinkles on a festive holiday platter surrounded by tiny candy canes and holly leaves for a charming display. Or individually wrap them in clear cellophane bags tied with red or green ribbon, making delightful holiday gifts or party favors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Soft Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they will stay soft and delicious for up to a week. Avoid refrigeration as it can dry them out.
Freezing
If you want to keep them longer, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to three months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving to enjoy that soft texture once again.
Reheating
Simply pop the cookies in a microwave for about 10 seconds or warm them briefly in a low oven to refresh their softness and bring back that freshly baked feeling. Just be careful not to overheat and dry them out!
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Absolutely! While vanilla is classic for the best color and flavor balance, you could experiment with lemon or white cake mixes. Just keep in mind that some flavors may alter the traditional Grinch green color or overall taste.
Can I substitute butter with oil?
Butter adds richness and helps with the soft, tender texture, but if needed, you can replace it with additional canola oil. Keep in mind the texture might be slightly less rich but still delicious.
How do I make sure the cookies stay soft?
Avoid overbaking and be sure to store the cookies in an airtight container. The powdered sugar and corn starch coating also helps keep the exterior soft while preventing them from sticking together.
Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just bring it back to room temperature and roll it in powdered sugar mixture before baking for the best results.
Why use green gel food coloring instead of liquid?
Gel food coloring is more concentrated and won’t thin out your cookie dough like liquid colorings might. It also produces a brighter, more vibrant green perfect for that Grinch look.
Final Thoughts
Soft Grinch Cookies (Cake Mix) – Easy Green Christmas Cookies with Heart Sprinkles are truly a magical holiday treat that brings joy, color, and soft, sweet comfort to your holiday table. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or yourself, these cookies offer the perfect combination of ease and festive fun. Dive into the season with this recipe—you’ll be so glad you did!
PrintSoft Grinch Cookies (Cake Mix) – Easy Green Christmas Cookies with Heart Sprinkles
These Grinch Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat with a soft, gooey texture and the perfect Grinch-green color. Topped with powdered sugar and tiny red heart sprinkles, they’re festive, fun, and ideal for any Christmas celebration.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 box Vanilla Cake Mix
- 1 Stick Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon Canola Oil
- 2 eggs, Room Temperature
- Green Gel Food Coloring (about 3 drops)
Coating and Decoration
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 Cup Corn Starch
- Red Heart Sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the baking sheet: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix coating mixture: Combine powdered sugar and corn starch in a loaf pan and mix thoroughly to create the coating mixture.
- Make the batter: In a mixing bowl, blend the softened butter, vanilla cake mix, canola oil, and eggs together. The batter will be thick and slightly sticky.
- Add color: Stir in green gel food coloring gradually until you achieve the perfect Grinch green shade, typically about 3 drops.
- Shape the cookies: Use a small ice cream scoop to portion the dough, then roll each portion into the powdered sugar and corn starch mixture to coat completely.
- Form the cookie balls: Roll the coated dough into balls and place each ball on the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies at 375°F for 8-10 minutes or until they puff up and are slightly set.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for several minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cool, mix 1 tablespoon powdered sugar with about 1 teaspoon water to make a sugar glue. Use this to attach the red heart sprinkles on top of each cookie for the finishing festive touch. Alternatively, you can press the hearts onto the raw dough before baking.
- Serve or store: Enjoy immediately or store the cookies in an airtight container for later enjoyment.
Notes
- This recipe yields exactly 2 dozen cookies when using a 1 1/2 inch cookie scoop.
- You can adjust the amount of green food coloring to reach your preferred shade of green.
- Pressing the heart sprinkles onto dough before baking helps them stick without additional sugar glue.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain softness and freshness.