Grinch Cookies Recipes That Are Cute, Easy, and Super Festive

Let me guess you saw those bright green cookies with the little red hearts and thought, “Yep, I need those in my life.” Same. I baked my first batch of Grinch cookies on a cold December night with music playing way too loud, and honestly, I never looked back. These cookies feel festive, slightly mischievous, and ridiculously easy to love.

In this guide to grinch cookies recipes, I’ll walk you through multiple versions, from classic sugar cookies to shortcut cake-mix magic. I’ll share tips I learned the hard way, sprinkle in a little humor, and keep things friendly like we’re baking together in the same kitchen. Sound good? Cool, let’s make some green chaos.

Why Everyone Obsesses Over Grinch Cookies

Grinch cookies hit that rare sweet spot where cute meets simple. You don’t need fancy tools, pastry school confidence, or nerves of steel. You just need green dough, a red heart, and a holiday mood.

I love these cookies because they:

• Look instantly festive without complicated decorating
• Taste like familiar, cozy classics
• Work for kids, parties, and cookie swaps
• Give big “I tried” energy with minimal effort

Ever noticed how people lose their minds over anything green at Christmas? Exactly. These cookies play the part perfectly.

The Classic Grinch Sugar Cookies (The OG)

This version feels like the blueprint for all grinch cookies recipes. I always start here because you can’t mess it up unless you actively try.

Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Green gel food coloring
• Red heart sprinkles or candy hearts

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl and set it aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar together until the mixture looks fluffy and pale.
4. Add the egg and vanilla, then mix until smooth.
5. Stir in green food coloring until the dough looks properly Grinch-green.
6. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients until the dough comes together.
7. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the baking sheet.
8. Bake for 8–10 minutes, then immediately press a red heart into each cookie.
9. Cool completely before eating if you can wait that long.

Pro tip: The cookies soften as they cool, so don’t panic if they look slightly underdone.

Crinkle-Style Grinch Cookies (Snowy but Make It Green)

These cookies wear powdered sugar like a winter coat, and honestly, they feel extra festive. I bake these when I want drama on the cookie plate.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Green gel food coloring
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• Red heart sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prep your baking sheets.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then add egg and vanilla.
4. Mix in green food coloring until vibrant.
5. Add dry ingredients and stir until combined.
6. Chill the dough for 30 minutes trust me, this matters.
7. Roll dough into balls, then coat generously in powdered sugar.
8. Bake for 10–12 minutes until cracked on top.
9. Press a red heart into each cookie while warm.

IMO, these win the “most photogenic” award. 🙂

Cake Mix Grinch Cookies (Lazy but Legendary)

Some days call for shortcuts, and I respect that. These cake-mix grinch cookies recipes save time and sanity.

Ingredients

• 1 box white cake mix
• 2 eggs
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• Green gel food coloring
• Red heart candies

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix cake mix, eggs, and oil until smooth.
3. Add green food coloring and mix well.
4. Scoop dough onto lined baking sheets.
5. Bake for 9–11 minutes.
6. Press red hearts into the centers while warm.
7. Cool before serving.

These cookies taste soft, sweet, and dangerously snackable. FYI, people will ask for the recipe and act shocked when you say “cake mix.”

Grinch Thumbprint Cookies (Extra Cute, No Apologies)

Thumbprint cookies already feel cozy, so turning them into Grinch cookies just makes sense.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• ⅔ cup sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Green food coloring
• Red jam or red candy hearts

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar until light.
3. Add egg yolk, vanilla, and green coloring.
4. Mix in flour and salt until dough forms.
5. Roll into balls and press a thumbprint in each.
6. Fill the center with red jam or add candy after baking.
7. Bake for 12–14 minutes.

These feel a little fancy without actually trying hard. That’s my favorite vibe.

Soft Frosted Grinch Cookies (Bakery-Style Energy)

If you love thick, soft cookies with frosting, stop scrolling. These deliver.

Ingredients

Cookies

• 2 ½ cups flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¾ cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• Green food coloring

Frosting

• ½ cup butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Green food coloring
• Red heart sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.
3. Cream butter and sugar, then add egg and coloring.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
5. Bake cookies for 8–9 minutes.
6. Beat frosting ingredients until smooth.
7. Frost cooled cookies and add hearts.

These cookies feel like a hug. No sarcasm needed.

Vegan Grinch Cookies (Plant-Based and Proud)

Yes, vegan grinch cookies recipes can still taste amazing. I tested these skeptically and ate half the batch.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup vegan butter
• 1 cup sugar
• ¼ cup applesauce
• Green food coloring
• Red heart sprinkles (vegan)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
3. Cream vegan butter and sugar.
4. Add applesauce and coloring.
5. Combine wet and dry mixtures.
6. Bake for 10–12 minutes.
7. Press hearts in while warm.

You won’t miss the eggs. I promise.

Common Mistakes (Because I’ve Made Them All)

Let’s save you some frustration.

• Too much food coloring turns cookies bitter
• Overbaking ruins the soft texture
• Skipping chill time causes spreading chaos
• Adding hearts too early makes them melt

Ever wondered why your cookies look sad instead of cute? Usually one of these.

Decorating Tips That Actually Work

You don’t need Pinterest-level skills here. Keep it simple.

• Press hearts while cookies stay warm
• Use gel coloring for bold green
• Stick to one decoration per cookie
• Let cookies cool fully before frosting

Less stress = better cookies. Always.

How to Store Grinch Cookies Without Regret

Fresh cookies taste best, but leftovers happen.

• Store in an airtight container
• Keep at room temp for 3–4 days
• Freeze unfrosted cookies up to 2 months

I hide mine from my family. No shame.

Why Grinch Cookies Always Steal the Show

These cookies don’t just taste good they spark conversations. Kids point. Adults smile. Someone always asks for the recipe. And honestly, that’s the magic.

When you bake grinch cookies recipes, you bake joy with a side of mischief. You don’t need perfection. You just need green dough and a little holiday spirit.

Final Thoughts

Grinch cookies feel playful, forgiving, and endlessly customizable. You can bake them fancy or lazy, classic or vegan, frosted or simple. They always work.

So grab your food coloring, pick a recipe, and make a mess. The Grinch would absolutely approve… even if he pretends not to ;).

If you try one of these grinch cookies recipes, trust me you’ll add them to your yearly rotation. And honestly, that feels like a win.