Grinch Peppermint Cookies Recipe

If you’re hunting for a festive, fun, and absolutely adorable holiday treat, you’ve got to try this Grinch Peppermint Cookies Recipe. These cookies are the perfect blend of minty freshness with a soft, cakey texture, plus that iconic green pop that reminds me of that mischievous Grinch we all secretly love. I absolutely love how these cookies turn out—fluffy, chewy, and bursting with peppermint flavor. Stick with me, and I’ll share all the secrets to getting these cookies just right so your friends and family will be asking for seconds (or thirds!).

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

To get that lovely green hue and peppermint punch, you’ll need a few fundamental ingredients that complement each other perfectly. The cake mix forms the base, giving these cookies a soft crumb, while the extracts and food coloring bring that holiday spirit alive.

• White Cake Mix: I always pick a high-quality, good-tasting box for the best flavor and texture in these cookies.
• Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature so it incorporates smoothly without lumps.
• Large Eggs: Make sure they’re at room temperature to help the dough come together evenly.
• Peppermint Extract: This gives the cookie its classic festive note—don’t skip it, or use mint extract if preferred.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the flavor beautifully.
• Green Gel Food Coloring: Gel is best because of its vibrant pigmentation without thinning the batter.
• Powdered Sugar: Helps to coat the sticky dough balls for easy handling and a lovely finish.
• Cornstarch: Mixed with powdered sugar for coating; it adds a subtle softening effect on the cookie’s exterior.
• Red Heart-shaped Sprinkles or Cinnamon Hearts: These are the adorable finishing touch that makes these cookies festive and charming.

Variations

I love making these my own by changing up the sprinkles or even the flavor extract sometimes. Feel free to tweak this recipe to suit your sweet tooth or dietary needs—it’s flexible enough to handle a little creativity!

• Mint-Chocolate Combo: I tried adding mini chocolate chips once, and my family went crazy for the melty chocolate meeting the peppermint flavor.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap the cake mix for a gluten-free white cake mix and follow the same steps; they come out just as delightful.
• Pink Peppermint Twist: For Valentine’s Day, I swapped the green food coloring for pink and used heart sprinkles—such a cute spin!
• Spicy Cinnamon Hearts: Using cinnamon heart sprinkles adds a little warm kick that balances the mint perfectly.

How to Make Grinch Peppermint Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Base Batter with Care

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, blend the white cake mix, softened butter, and eggs together until fully combined and smooth. Don’t rush this step—proper mixing ensures the cookies will have that perfect cakey texture.

Step 2: Add Peppermint and Color

Next, add the peppermint and vanilla extracts. I discovered that adding green gel food coloring here lets you control how bright or muted your Grinch green is—add a little at a time until you hit your sweet spot. Mix everything on low speed just until combined; the dough will be thick and sticky, which is totally normal.

Step 3: Preparing the Coating

In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and cornstarch. This mixture coats the cookie dough balls and keeps them from sticking to your hands and the baking sheet. Trust me, this little step makes the difference between a pleasant rolling experience and a sticky mess!

Step 4: Form, Coat, and Bake

Using about 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out dough balls and roll them gently in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mix. Place them roughly 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes; you’re looking for edges that are set and tops that look dry. That tells you they’re perfectly baked inside.

Step 5: Add the Final Festive Touch

Right after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press a red heart-shaped sprinkle into the center of each cookie. This step is my favorite—it gives the cookies a charming personality and makes them instantly gift-worthy. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

How to Serve Grinch Peppermint Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

For garnish, I usually stick with those sweet red heart-shaped sprinkles because they pop beautifully against the green and add a cute whimsical touch. But cinnamon hearts work wonders if you want a little extra flavor kick. Sometimes, I even lightly dust with extra powdered sugar for a snowy effect that really jumps out on holiday plates.

Side Dishes

These cookies go wonderfully with a hot cup of cocoa or peppermint tea, especially on chilly winter afternoons. For holiday parties, I like pairing them with a platter of mixed nuts, sliced cheeses, or even fresh cranberries to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged the Grinch Peppermint Cookies Recipe on a festive platter surrounded by fresh pine branches and tiny twinkle lights—the effect was magical and instantly festive. Another fun idea is packaging a few cookies in clear holiday-themed bags with twine for giving as gifts; people love getting these handmade treats!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh for about four days. If you want to keep that soft texture intact, just make sure the container is sealed well so air doesn’t dry them out.

Freezing

Freezing these cookies works like a charm! Once totally cooled, I pop them into a freezer-safe Ziplock bag with parchment paper between layers. They keep well for up to two months. When you want to enjoy them, just thaw at room temperature or in your fridge overnight—super convenient for unexpected guests.

Reheating

If you want to bring back that freshly-baked warmth, I recommend popping a cookie in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. It softens up that cakey texture beautifully without drying them out. I’ve also gently warmed them in a low oven wrapped in foil for 5 minutes when reheating multiple cookies.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

When I first tried this Grinch Peppermint Cookies Recipe, I was so surprised at how simple it was to whip up something so festive and tasty. These cookies are perfect for holiday baking marathons or even last-minute gifts that look like you spent hours. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do—they’re the kind of treat that brings smiles and a little holiday magic to every warm kitchen moment. Go on, grab your ingredients and give these green delights a spin—you won’t regret it!

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