These The Grinch sugar cookies are based on the Christmas character that is very dear to my heart. If you’ve read the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss or watched the TV special or movie, you know that grouchy green Grinch’s heart grows when he experiences the joy of Christmas.
What better way to celebrate than with these green Grinch Christmas cookies!
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Why make The Grinch Christmas cookies?
I didn’t know the Grinch well while growing up because I didn’t like mean or scary movie characters. But I watched it again as a grown up and loved it so much because it represents the true meaning of Christmas.
Now I watch the old TV special How the Grinch Stole Christmas and one or two of the movie adaptations every Christmas season, often multiple times. It’s honestly one of my favorite Christmas movies, even above Home Alone and A Muppet Christmas Carol.
If you and your family love How the Grinch Stole Christmas or are enjoying it for the first time, these cookies are a perfect complement to the experience. It’s a classic sugar cookie but with a green twist.
And who can resist that little red sprinkle heart. The small red heart at the center of each cookie is a reminder that the Grinch’s heart started out small too. It was actually two sizes too small! And then it grew three sizes after experiencing Christmas.
These Grinch heart cookies will be a hit in your house or on any holiday cookie tray. Plus, they are easy to make so the kids can join in on making them.
This is a holiday cookie recipe you’ll want to make year after year. I’m excited for you to try them!
Ingredients
- unsalted butter
- granulated sugar
- large eggs
- vanilla extract
- baking soda
- cream of tartar
- salt
- all-purpose flour
- green gel food coloring
- red heart sprinkles
How to make The Grinch sugar cookies
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare your baking sheet. You can use parchment paper, a non-stick cooking spray, or opt for silicone mat.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until smooth. Use a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer for this.
3. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt to the mixture.
4. Mix until ingredients are fully incorporated.
5. Add in the flour ½ cup at a time and mix at a low speed until well combined and lump free. The batter should be smooth but avoid overmixing.
6. Add in the green gel food coloring a little at a time until the desired color of green is reached. Use gel food coloring instead of liquid food coloring to keep from adding too much liquid to the batter, which can change the consistency of your cookies. Keep in mind the color of the cookies may fade a little when baking.
7. Scoop out 1-2 Tbsp of dough onto a prepared baking sheet leaving 1 inch of space between each cookie. Aim for a round ball of dough so the cookie bakes into a nice round shape.
8. Place 1 red heart sprinkle onto each cookie. Note that it’s easier to place the sprinkle on the cookie before baking, but the heart may move during the baking process. If you want the heart in a certain spot, add it when the cookies are almost fully baked or after baked. You can also vary the heart sizes. A small red heart sprinkle for the mean Grinch and a larger sprinkle for the kind Grinch.
9. Bake for 11-15 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden brown. Keep an eye on the cookies because every oven is different and you don’t want to overbake them.
10. Allow to cool a few minutes on the baking sheet. Transfer to a cooling rack and wait until the cookies reach a desired temperature. Then enjoy!
These adorable Grinch sugar cookies will disappear fast. It’s so easy to munch away on delicious cookies, especially when they’re satisfyingly chewy and sweet. But if you have some left over or you’ve made some to save and share at holiday parties, be sure to store them well so that they last.
FAQ
How do you store sugar cookies?
Sugar cookies are best stored in a dry, airtight container. They should reach room temperature before being stored away. You can wrap them individually in plastic wrap, put them in airtight zip seal bags, or keep them in sealed containers.
How long do sugar cookies last?
Sugar cookies can last up to 2 weeks when kept in an airtight container in a cool environment, but you may notice a change in the texture and overall quality of a cookie after a week. For that reason, I think it’s best to consume the cookies in 3-5 days.
It’s not necessary to store sugar cookies in the fridge unless it’s the only cool place, such as if you live somewhere hot without air conditioning. If you want the cookies to last even longer, try freezing them. They’ll last for anywhere from 2-6 months as long as they’re in freezer-safe bags or containers. This will reduce the chance of freezer burn as well.
The Grinch Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter-room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp cream of tartar
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- green gel food coloring
- red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare your baking sheet.
- Beat the butter and sugar together until smooth using a stand mixer or with a hand mixer.
- Add in the eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
- Mix until ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Add in the flour ½ cup at a time and mix at a low speed until well combined and lump free. The batter should be smooth but avoid overmixing.
- Add in the green food coloring a little at a time until the desired color of green is reached.
- Scoop out 1-2 Tbsp of dough onto a prepared baking sheet leaving 1 inch of space between each cookie. Aim for a round ball of dough.
- Place 1 red heart sprinkle onto each cookie.
- Bake for 11-15 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden brown.
- Allow to cool on the baking sheet or wait a few minutes before transferring the cookies to a cooling rack. Once at a desired temperature, enjoy!
Notes
- Use green gel food coloring instead of liquid food coloring. This allows for less liquid in the batter and gives a nice green color.
- Use red sprinkle hearts of different sizes (big and small) to represent the growth of the Grinch’s small heart.
