Holiday Baking: Grinch-Inspired Christmas Cookies Recipe

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grinch cookies copycat

Every Who Down in Whoville Liked Christmas a lot…But the Grinch, Who lived just north of Whoville, Did NOT!

Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right.It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.But I think that the most likely reason of all, May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

What’s Up, Hungry People?

This Christmas, I took on the mighty challenge of creating a Christmas cookie recipe that was not only quick and simple but one that would have you nodding in culinary triumph as though you’d toiled for hours. Cue the sinister laughter, I’ve gone rogue with a mix from a box!

That’s right, my fellow kitchen Grinches, we’re crafting ‘homemade’ cookies from boxed vanilla cake mix, good old vegetable oil, and eggs. Just stir these comrades in arms until they’re well-acquainted, roll the merry mixture into balls, and give them a good old bake.

easy diy grinch cookies

Decor’s a breeze with tiny red hearts of fondant — the perfect emblem of stolen Christmas joy — affixed with the slightest touch of icing gel. No fondant? No problem! Whoville’s candy shops (or your pantry) are brimming with candy hearts or heart-shaped sprinkles to save the day.

Here’s What You Need

  • French vanilla cake mix: Provides structure and flavor; your easy-bake, foolproof base.
  • Vegetable oil: Keeps cookies moist; gives a tender crumb.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients; add moisture and richness.
  • Green food coloring: Gives that Grinchy green hue.
  • Powdered sugar: For sweetness and a festive “snowy” finish.
  • Fondant hearts: A heartfelt nod to the Grinch’s transformation; decorative.
  • Icing gel: The glue for your fondant decorations; also adds a shiny detail.
cake box cookies recipe

Let’s Cook!

As my own pint-sized Grinch smeared icing and tasted spoils, we reveled in the simplicity and ingenuity of our festive deceit. These cookies might be simple, with their devil-may-care attitude towards baking, but they’re a hit that’ll have every Grinch lurking about your house sneaking seconds.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas Cookies Tips

  • Getting the right shade: Start with a few drops of green food coloring and add more as needed. Too much coloring can make the dough too wet, affecting the consistency of your cookies. Plus, we’re going for Grinch-green, not Hulk-smash!
  • The perfect dough consistency: If your dough is too sticky, chill it for about 30 minutes. This makes it easier to handle and prevents spreading when baking.
  • Powdered sugar coating: Do this quickly and gently to avoid melting the sugar with the warmth from your hands. It should look like our Grinch cookies frolicked in the first snow of Whoville.
  • Baking time is key: If the cookies look underdone at 12 minutes, give them a minute or two more, but watch them like a hawk! They’ll firm up as they cool, just like the Grinch’s resolve to return the presents.
  • Fondant decorations: If you’re making fondant hearts from scratch, keep them thin to avoid weighing down your cookies. Nobody wants a cookie that feels like a brick—especially not after stealing Christmas.
  • Icing gel essentials: A little goes a long way. Use a toothpick to apply a tiny amount to stick your hearts on; unless you want to experience the stickiness of a Grinch’s grip, be modest with it.
homemade christmas grinch cookies
My own little Grinch wanted to join in on the fun.


And as for the true spirit of Christmas, it’s not nestled in the glossy aisles of a store but in the warmth of these cookies. As the Grinch learned, perhaps Christmas means just a tad more.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!”Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.””Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”And what happened then? Well…in Whoville they say,That the Grinch’s small heart Grew three sizes that day!


Quote attribution.

This post is a homage to the transformational tale of our favorite Christmas curmudgeon, the Grinch, and a testament to the joy that a simple cookie can bring. Whether it’s to fill the air with the sweet scent of vanilla or to bring a smidge of Christmas cheer to the Scrooges and Grinches out there, these cookies are your secret weapon. After all, who can resist a heart that’s grown right on your cookie tray?

Not I, said the cat. Not I.

And so in the end, our feast comes to a close, With a jingle of bells and a sniff of a rose. For we’ve baked and we’ve cooked with the cheer of ol’ Whoville, And our hearts have grown warm, not a sign of a chill.

Yes, Grinchy hearts softened with each sugary bite, And kitchens found laughter deep into the night. From the sprinkle of sugar to the rolling of dough, Our Christmas confections have stolen the show!

So remember, dear friends, as you tuck in with glee, That the warmth of the season is for you and for me. With these cookies, we’ve baked more than just sweets to devour, We’ve opened our hearts to the Christmas hour. Enjoy!

grinch cookies

Grinch-Inspired Christmas Cookies Recipe

The Starving Chef
Whip up some Grinch-inspired Christmas cookies with this easy recipe – they're whimsically green with a sweet heart to match!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Christmas, Cookies
Cuisine Cookies, Holidays
Servings 24 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box French vanilla cake mix
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 10 drops green food coloring as needed to reach desired color
  • 1 cup powdered sugar + more for dusting
  • 24 fondant hearts or heart shaped candies

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, stir together the cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and green food coloring until you achieve a dough-like consistency.
  • Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized balls. Gently roll the balls between your palms, then roll them in powdered sugar until they are completely coated.
  • Place the dough balls two inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes or until they are puffed and set. They may look slightly underdone when you first remove them from the oven, which is normal as they will continue to set as they cool.
  • While the cookies are baking and cooling, craft your fondant hearts in various sizes, if you're not using pre-made heart-shaped candies. Allow the fondant to set and dry before using.
  • Once the cookies have cooled, dust them with an additional layer of powdered sugar through a fine mesh sieve for a snowy effect.
  • Use a small dab of icing gel on the back of each fondant heart or candy and press it gently onto the top of each cookie to adhere.

Video

Keyword cookies, dessert
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!