If your holiday baking lineup needs a little festive fun, these Grinch Crinkle Cookies are the perfect treat! Soft, chewy, and tinted a merry green, they capture all the whimsy of the season- complete with a sweet heart sprinkle in the center.
Peppermint extract gives them a cool, refreshing flavor that pairs perfectly with their buttery base, making these cookies just as delicious as they are adorable. Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, a holiday movie night, or to surprise your kids after watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas, these cookies are guaranteed to make hearts grow three sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Grinch Crinkle Cookies?
Grinch Crinkle Cookies are a fun holiday twist on the classic crinkle cookie! They get their bright green color from gel food coloring and their signature “heart that grew three sizes” look from a red heart-shaped sprinkle pressed into the center before baking.
What do these cookies taste like?
These cookies are soft and buttery with a subtle hint of peppermint and vanilla. The flavor is reminiscent of classic sugar cookies with a minty twist- refreshing but not overpowering!
How do I make Grinch Crinkle Cookies dairy-free?
To make these cookies dairy-free, simply swap the butter for a plant-based alternative that’s formulated for baking, like Miyoko’s or Country Crock Plant Butter. Everything else in the recipe, including the heart sprinkles, should be naturally dairy-free, but always check the packaging to be sure.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes so it’s easier to scoop and roll. Baked cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months- just let them cool completely before storing.
What’s the best food coloring to use?
Gel food coloring is ideal for these cookies because it produces a vibrant green color without adding excess liquid to the dough. Leaf green is the classic choice, but you can adjust the shade to your liking.
How do I keep these cookies soft?
Store them in an airtight container once cooled. Pro tip: You can also add a slice of sandwich bread to the container to help retain moisture- this trick keeps cookies soft for days!
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup butter [softened]
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- Leaf green gel food coloring
- Sugar for rolling
- Large heart-shaped sprinkles
What You’ll Need:
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- Mixing bowls {large and medium}
- Electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Parchment-lined baking sheet
- Cooling rack
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Mix in vanilla and peppermint extracts. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.
Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing until incorporated.
Add a few drops of leaf green gel food coloring and knead the dough until the color is evenly distributed.
Place sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and coat in sugar.
Arrange on the prepared baking sheet and flatten slightly.
Press one heart-shaped sprinkle into the center of each cookie.
Bake for 8 minutes, or until set and lightly golden on the bottom.
Cool on the baking sheet for 2–3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store cookies in an airtight container.
These Grinch Crinkle Cookies are cheerful, delicious, and so easy to make- perfect for spreading a little holiday spirit! The combination of peppermint and vanilla feels festive without being overwhelming, and that pop of red in the center makes them instantly recognizable on any cookie tray.
Bake a batch to share with neighbors, bring to your next holiday gathering, or enjoy with a mug of hot cocoa while watching your favorite Christmas movie!
More Recipes to Try
Looking for more delicious recipes? Try these next:
Grinch Hot Cocoa Bombs
Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
No Bake Gingerbread Truffles
Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
Cranberry Pistachio Cookies
Gingerbread Man Cookies
Blue Crinkle Cookies
Coffee Crinkle Cookies
Grinch Crinkle Cookies
These Grinch Crinkle Cookies are buttery and minty with the perfect chewy texture. A festive green color and heart sprinkle make them a must-bake for the holidays!
Ingredients
- 2 ½ Cups Flour
- 1 Tbsp Baking Powder
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 ½ Cups Sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 1/3 Cup Butter (softened)
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- ½ tsp Peppermint Extract
- Leaf Green Gel Food Coloring
- Sugar for rolling
- Large Heart Shaped Sprinkles
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium size bowl mix together flour, salt, and baking powder.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer cream together butter and sugar.
Add in extracts and then eggs one at a time mixing after each addition.
Gradually add in the dry ingredients mixing after each addition until they are all incorporated.
Add a few drops of food coloring and knead the dough until the color is evenly distributed.
Place sugar in a bowl on shallow dish.
Scoop out the cookie dough in tablespoon size scoops, roll into a ball and then roll in the sugar to coat.
Place on prepared cookie sheet and flatten slightly.
Press a heart shaped sprinkle into the center of each dough ball.
Bake for 8 minutes or until set. The bottom of the cookies should be very slightly golden brown. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container.
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