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!
Ingredients
- 16 ounce box yellow cake mix gluten free if needed
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil can sub avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract optional, 1 teaspoon if you want a stronger flavor
- green food coloring
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 10 red candy heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Prep: Line a cookie sheet or baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 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.
- Add Food Coloring: Mix in green food coloring until you reach the desired hue. You'll continue folding the dough into itself for a few minutes to ensure the color distributes evenly.
- 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.
- 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.
- Flatten & Decorate: Place on prepared baking sheet and gently flatten cookie dough balls with a glass. Add a red candy heart on top.
- 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.
- Serve: Enjoy warm or at room temperature with a mug of cocoa or alongside my easy Grinch punch recipe for the ultimate themed treat!
Notes
- 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.
Storage 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.
Tried this recipe?Mention @prettydeliciouslife or tag #PDLrecipes!