Description
Delightfully festive Grinch Cookies made with a white cake mix base, infused with peppermint and vanilla extracts, and vividly colored green. These soft, chewy cookies are rolled in a sweet powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture, baked to perfection, and topped with charming red heart-shaped sprinkles for a seasonal touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 15.25 ounces (432 g) white cake mix
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract or mint extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring, as needed
Coating
- ¼ cup (32 g) powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Topping
- Red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Make the Cookie Dough: Using a hand-held or stand mixer, combine the white cake mix, softened butter, and eggs. Mix thoroughly until you have a well-blended dough.
- Add Flavors and Color: Stir in the peppermint or mint extract, vanilla extract, and green gel food coloring. Mix on low speed just until the color is evenly distributed and the dough is combined. The dough will be thick and sticky.
- Prepare Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch to create a dry coating mixture.
- Shape and Coat Cookies: Using a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough. Roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture, coating it fully. This helps manage the stickiness and creates a subtle sweet crust. Place the coated dough balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops appear dry. Avoid overbaking to maintain a soft texture.
- Add Decorative Topping: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a red heart-shaped sprinkle or cinnamon heart gently onto the center of each cookie so it sticks.
- Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up slightly, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Storage: Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- Freezing: Once completely cooled, freeze the cookies in an airtight, freezer-safe ziplock bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
- Heart Toppings: Utilize leftover Valentine’s Day sprinkles, or purchase heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts for decoration. For a bolder look, jumbo heart sprinkles make a bigger impact.
- Color Variations: Change the food coloring to pink to make these cookies festive for Valentine’s Day as well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
