Easy Grinch Cookies Recipe (Made with Cake Mix)

Festive, Fun, and Foolproof Holiday Cookies

These easy Grinch cookies made with cake mix are the ultimate Christmas treat. With their vibrant green color, soft crinkle texture, and cute red heart detail, they capture the playful spirit of the season just like the beloved holiday character.

Jump to:

• Festive, Fun, and Foolproof Holiday Cookies
• Why You’ll Love These Grinch Cookies
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• How to Make Grinch Cookies
• Tips for Success
• Serving Ideas
• Storage and Leftovers
• Frequently Asked Questions
• More Festive Treats You'll Love
• Final Thoughts
• Grinch Cookies

Best of all, they start with a simple box of vanilla cake mix, which means they come together quickly with minimal effort. Whether you're baking with kids, prepping for a cookie exchange, or planning a movie night featuring "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," these cookies will be the star of the show.

this recipe

Why You’ll Love These Grinch Cookies

Quick and Simple

This is one of those recipes that you can whip up in under 30 minutes from start to finish. There’s no chilling time, no fancy ingredients, and the base is a boxed cake mix. You’ll only need one bowl and a few pantry staples.

Perfect Texture and Flavor

These cookies bake up soft and pillowy in the center with a slightly crisp, sugary edge. The powdered sugar coating creates the signature crinkle look, and the red candy heart adds a pop of sweetness and crunch.

Great for Gifting or Parties

They’re adorable, portable, and eye-catching. Stack them in cookie tins for easy holiday gifts or serve them on a festive platter for your next Christmas party. Kids love them, and adults do too.

Ingredients and Substitutions

What You’ll Need

• 1 box vanilla cake mix
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup corn starch
• Green gel food coloring
• Red heart sprinkles

Ingredient Tips

Using gel food coloring is key for that deep Grinch green without thinning out your dough. Powdered sugar combined with cornstarch gives the cookies their signature crinkle look. For the sprinkles, red heart-shaped ones are ideal, but any small red candy will do in a pinch.

Easy Swaps

• Swap the butter for dairy-free margarine to make it dairy-free
• Use vegetable oil instead of canola oil if needed
• For egg-free, try 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg

How to Make Grinch Cookies

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and corn starch. Set aside for rolling.
3. In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, softened butter, oil, and eggs. The dough will be thick.
4. Add a few drops of green gel food coloring and stir until the dough reaches a Grinch-worthy green.
5. Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to form dough balls.
6. Roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar and corn starch mixture to coat completely.
7. Place cookies 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
8. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until puffed and crinkled.
9. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
10. Once cooled, use a tiny bit of sugar-water mixture to glue a red heart sprinkle onto each cookie.

Tips for Success

Make Them Picture Perfect

Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies. Be generous when rolling in powdered sugar for that perfect snowy look.

Avoid Common Mistakes

Don't overbake these cookies—they should look slightly underdone in the middle when you pull them from the oven. They’ll firm up as they cool.

Time-Saving Suggestions

Mix your dough a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before rolling and baking.

Serving Ideas

Delicious Pairings

• Serve with hot cocoa topped with whipped cream
• Pair with peppermint tea or a chilled glass of milk
• Set them out with a platter of chocolate-dipped pretzels or candy canes for contrast

Cute Presentation Tips

Stack these in clear treat bags tied with red ribbon for classroom or neighbor gifts. Or arrange them on a white cake stand with mini ornaments or holly leaves for a holiday centerpiece.

Storage and Leftovers

Keeping Cookies Fresh

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you're making them ahead, freeze the cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Best Reheating Method

Let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes. If you prefer them warm, microwave one for 10 seconds, just enough to soften the center without melting the heart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Creative Variations

Make It Vegan

Use a plant-based cake mix and vegan butter. Replace the eggs with flaxseed or chia egg alternatives.

Add Flavor

A splash of peppermint extract will give these cookies a candy cane twist. Or fold in mini white chocolate chips for a sweet surprise.

Holiday Twist

Switch out the red hearts for pastel colors and make these cookies for Easter. For Valentine's Day, make them pink with red hearts.

More Festive Treats You'll Love

If you love baking your way through the holidays, try these delicious cookie recipes next:

• Chocolate Peppermint Blossoms - Classic with a holiday twist
• Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies - Soft, gooey, and snow-dusted
• Christmas Tree Cake Truffles - A no-bake treat that’s as easy as it is adorable

And for more holiday inspiration, check out our Pinterest boards at Bake with Lina on Pinterest.

Final Thoughts

These easy Grinch cookies made with cake mix are everything you want in a Christmas cookie—fun to make, festive to look at, and irresistible to eat. Whether you’re baking them solo, with your kids, or for a crowd, they bring a little extra joy to the holiday season. Let us know in the comments if you try them, and don’t forget to share your cookie photos. Happy holiday baking!

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