Grinch Cookies with Powdered Sugar and Red Heart Sprinkles Recipe
Introduction
These Grinch Cookies are a fun and festive treat perfect for holiday celebrations. Bright green, soft, and chewy with a sweet surprise heart on top, they’re easy to make and sure to delight both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix
- 8 ounces Cool Whip (thawed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon neon green gel food coloring (more as needed)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- Red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, Cool Whip, egg, and neon green gel food coloring. Mix gently with a rubber spatula just until everything is combined.
- Step 3: Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, portion out balls of dough. Roll each sticky ball in a bowl of powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Step 4: Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Step 5: Bake the cookies for 12-13 minutes, until the edges are firm and the tops appear set.
- Step 6: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press a red heart sprinkle gently onto the top of each cookie so it sticks.
- Step 7: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet before serving to allow them to set properly.
Tips & Variations
- If you want an even brighter green, add a little more neon green gel food coloring a drop at a time until you reach your preferred shade.
- Try swapping the white cake mix for a funfetti version to add colorful sprinkles inside the cookie dough.
- For extra flavor, mix in a teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract before baking.
Storage
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 1 month. To reheat, warm briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?
Gel food coloring provides a more vibrant color without thinning the dough. You can use regular food coloring, but you may need to add less liquid elsewhere to keep the right dough texture.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
No chilling is required for this recipe. The dough is sticky but bakes well when scooped and rolled directly in powdered sugar.
PrintGrinch Cookies with Powdered Sugar and Red Heart Sprinkles Recipe
These festive Grinch Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for holiday celebrations. Made with a simple white cake mix base, Cool Whip, and vibrant neon green food coloring, they are soft, chewy, and fun to decorate with red heart sprinkles for a whimsical touch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-13 minutes
- Total Time: 22-23 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix
- 8 ounces Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon neon green gel food coloring (more as needed)
Coating and Decoration
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- Red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, thawed Cool Whip, egg, and neon green gel food coloring. Using a rubber spatula, mix just until the ingredients are evenly combined to avoid overmixing and keep the dough tender.
- Prepare Dough Balls: Use a medium cookie scoop to portion the dough. Scoop each portion directly into a bowl of powdered sugar, then roll the sticky dough around in the sugar until fully coated to help prevent spreading during baking.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for even baking and spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 13 minutes, or until the edges are firm and the tops look set but still soft.
- Add Decorations: Remove the cookies from the oven immediately and gently press a red heart sprinkle onto the center of each warm cookie so it sticks as they cool.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool completely on the sheet pan before serving to ensure they maintain their shape and texture.
Notes
- Gel food coloring is preferred for vibrant color without affecting dough consistency.
- Rolling the dough in powdered sugar helps manage stickiness and gives cookies a nice cracked sugar coating.
- Be careful not to overmix the dough to keep the cookies tender and soft.
- Allow cookies to cool fully on the baking sheet to set properly and prevent breaking.
- These cookies store well in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Grinch cookies, green cookies, holiday cookies, festive treats, soft cake mix cookies, Christmas cookies
