Easy Cake Mix Grinch Cookies Recipe (with GF Option)

If you’re looking for a cookie that instantly puts you in the holiday spirit, these cake mix Grinch cookies are it. They’re soft, chewy, and that perfect shade of Grinch-green with a tiny red heart on top. Bake them once and they’ll become your new holiday season tradition perfect for hosting or cookie exchange. They’re fun, nostalgic, and guaranteed to make even the Grinch himself smile!

Every December, I love baking a batch of adorable Grinch cookies while The Grinch plays in the background. It's one of my favorite Christmas movies and such a cozy way to kick off baking season. The best part? These cookies look like they took a lot of effort, but thanks to yellow cake mix, they’re truly foolproof.

If you’re a fan of fun, festive baking days, you might also love my Gluten-Free Christmas Cut-Out Cookies, Gingerbread Men, Salted Caramel Pretzel Bark, Magic Cookie Bars, Peanut Butter Blossoms or my Chocolate Peppermint Christmas Donuts. Each pair perfectly with these cute green cookies for a cookie platter that screams Christmas time!

Or try these cake mix Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes for another fun cake mix Christmas dessert!

If you're looking for something to serve before dessert, I've pulled together 20 non-traditional Christmas dinner recipes that are the perfect way to start your holiday!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Easy: Made with a box of cake mix, no fancy baking skills required, just mix, chill, scoop, and bake.
• Festive & Fun: That perfect shade of Grinch-green plus the small red heart sprinkle makes them a crowd favorite for holiday parties or gifting.
• Soft & Chewy: Each bite is the perfect balance of a chewy sugar cookie and a hint of peppermint extract (optional, but so good!)

Please note this post contains affiliate links.

Grinch Cake Mix Cookies Ingredients & Tested Substitutions

• Yellow Cake Mix: Use your favorite brand (I like King Arthur or Wholes Foods gluten free yellow cake). A vanilla cake mix also works!
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps these cookies moist and chewy. You can sub avocado oil if preferred.
• Eggs: Use room temperature eggs for best results.
• Vanilla Extract: Use a high quality extract, not imitation vanilla if you can.
• Peppermint Extract (optional): Peppermint extract adds a festive touch, especially for mint lovers.
• Green Food Coloring: Use gel food coloring or food coloring gel for the perfect Grinch-green. Start with a little bit and adjust until you love the color.
• Powdered Sugar + Cornstarch: Rolling the dough in this mix before baking creates that signature crackly top.
• Red Candy Heart or Small Heart Sprinkle: The cutest finishing touch, symbolizing the Grinch’s small heart!

Cake Mix Grinch Cookies Step by Step Instructions

1.Prep: Line a cookie sheet or baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Mix Wet & Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla, and peppermint extract (if using) with a silicone spatula. The mixture will get thick like a cookie dough.

3. Add Food Coloring: Mix in green food coloring until you reach that bright green color for a classic Grinch hue.

4. Chill the Dough & Pre-Heat Oven: Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Don’t skip this step, it prevents overly flat cookies! With about 5 to 10 minutes of chill time left, preheat the oven to 350F.

5. Coat in Sugar: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and cornstarch. Use a small cookie scoop to form dough balls and roll each in the sugar mixture until fully coated.

6. Flatten & Decorate: Place on prepared baking sheet and gently flatten cookie dough balls with a glass. Add a red candy heart on top.

7. Bake: Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes (9 was perfect for me). Let sit on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

8. Serve: Enjoy warm or at room temperature with a mug of cocoa or alongside my easy Grinch punch recipe for the ultimate themed treat!

Expert Tips & Tricks

• Read the recipe first! Don't be tempted to prepare your cake mix as per box instructions! Read the full recipe instructions first because we aren't using the same ingredients you would use to whip up a cake. If you do, you'll end up with completely flat cookies! 
• Chilled Dough = Best Results: Don’t skip chilling! The dough firms up, giving you chewy cookies that don’t spread too much.
• Perfect Green Shade: Use a few drops of gel color at a time until you get the perfect shade of Grinch-green.
• Protein Boost: Mix in a tablespoon of unflavored or vanilla protein powder if you want to sneak in extra protein without changing texture.
• Cookie Size: A small cookie scoop gives you uniform cookie dough balls that bake evenly every time.

Can I make these without peppermint extract?

Yes! You’ll still get delicious vanilla cake mix cookies just omit the extract or swap in almond extract or butter extract for a twist.

Can I use other cake mix flavors?

Definitely. Try white or vanilla for a similar texture. Chocolate cake mix would make fun “coal” cookies!

Do I need to chill the dough?

Yes! Chilling is key for thick, chewy sugar cookies that don’t flatten too much.

Storage & Make Ahead Tips

• Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer-Friendly: Place in a freezer bag or container with parchment between layers. Freeze up to 3 months.
• Make Ahead: Chill the dough up to 48 hours before baking.

Did you have a chance to make this recipe? If so, please leave me a 5 star rating and review below. I always love and appreciate hearing from you!