Grinch Crinkle Cookies bring a playful, festive spark to holiday baking. These emerald wonders melt in your mouth with a soft, chewy interior and a crinkled, crackly top. They’re quick to mix up and bake, making them ideal for busy days. Perfect for gift boxes, party platters, or a cheerful after-school bake session, they prove that you can whip up something show-stopping in minutes. Ready to spread some green cheer with Grinch Crinkle Cookies? Let’s bake.
Why You’ll Love These Grinch Crinkle Cookies
- Quick and simple recipe ready in under 30 minutes.
- Festive, vibrant green color that pops on any plate.
- Fun for kids and adults to shape and decorate.
- Soft, chewy texture with a light crinkle on top.
- Perfect for holiday platters and gifting.
Ingredients
Gather these pantry-friendly ingredients to make Grinch Crinkle Cookies.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon mint extract (or less, to taste; can omit)
- Green gel food coloring paste (start with 4 drops and add as needed)
- Heart-shaped sprinkles
Notes & Substitutions
- Softened butter helps the dough come together smoothly and yields tender cookies.
- Room temperature eggs blend evenly with butter and sugar for a uniform batter. For more on the science behind baking with room temperature ingredients, consider this insightful article.
- Gel coloring gives vivid color; avoid liquids that can thin the dough.
- Mint extract adds a fresh note; peppermint or almond are nice variations.
- Weigh or lightly spoon flour to avoid a dense dough.
- You can coat some dough balls in sugar for an extra sparkle.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt until evenly distributed.
- In another large bowl, beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, vanilla and mint extracts; beat to combine.
- Add half the flour mixture; mix on low until just combined, then add the rest and mix until a cohesive dough forms. It may be crumbly at first, but keep mixing for about 3 minutes.
- Add 4 drops of gel paste; beat until no white streaks remain. Add more color gradually to reach your desired Grinch-green shade.
- Use a 1 1/2 tablespoon medium scoop to portion dough. Roll each into a ball, place on sheets with about 2 inches between cookies, and press down lightly.
- Optional: Roll each ball in granulated sugar or powdered sugar for extra sparkle.
- Bake 8 minutes, or until the cookies begin to crinkle and set.
- As soon as you remove them, gently press a heart sprinkle into the top of each cookie. Cool on the sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy.
Pro Tips for Perfect Grinch Crinkle Cookies
- If the dough feels crumbly, mix a bit longer until it comes together.
- Roll dough balls to create uniform, round cookies.
- Use gel coloring for intense green that holds through baking. Learn more about the benefits of gel food coloring over liquid for vibrant results.
- Press heart sprinkles into the tops while warm for best adhesion.
- Don’t overcrowd the sheets; give space for spreading.
- Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft and chewy.
Serving Suggestions, Storage, & Variations
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with milk or hot cocoa.
- Arrange on a holiday cookie platter as a centerpiece.
- Pack in gift boxes for friends and neighbors.
Storage Instructions
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container for 3–5 days.
- Freeze baked cookies up to 3 months.
- Freeze cookie dough balls up to 3 months for quick baking later.
Flavor & Decoration Variations
- Omit mint extract or swap with peppermint or almond.
- Try different colored sprinkles for other celebrations.
- Roll in extra powdered sugar for a snowy look.
- Stir white chocolate chips into the dough for a creamy contrast.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional values are estimates and can vary with ingredients.
| Nutrient | Amount per cookie |
|---|---|
| Calories | 191 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4 g |
| Sodium | 238 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes Grinch cookies crinkle?
Crinkles form when the dough has enough moisture and is baked at a hot enough temperature. The moisture creates cracks as the surface dries and sets, producing the characteristic crinkled look.
Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?
Liquid coloring can thin the dough and yield a duller color. Gel paste gives a richer green and preserves the cookie texture.
Why are my cookies flat?
Butter that’s too warm, overmixing, or inaccurate flour measurement can cause spreading. Use room-temperature butter, measure flour correctly, and mix until just combined.
Conclusion
These Grinch Crinkle Cookies prove that holiday baking can be quick, fun, and totally delicious. With their vibrant green color, soft centers, and festive sprinkles, they bring cheer to any gathering. The simple steps make them perfect for beginners and busy parents alike, so you can bake a batch, share smiles, and savor a holiday classic that feels special without the extra fuss. Happy holidays and happy baking.
Festive Grinch Crinkle Cookies
These festive Grinch Crinkle Cookies feature a vibrant green hue with a hint of mint, perfect for holiday gatherings. They are soft, chewy, and adorned with a cheerful heart-shaped sprinkle, making them a delightful treat for all ages.
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking sheets
- Nonstick silicon mats or parchment paper
- Large Bowls
- whisk
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Paddle Attachment
- Medium cookie scoop (1 1/2 tablespoons)
- wire racks
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients & Decoration
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon mint extract or less, to taste (can omit, if desired)
- Green gel food coloring paste start with 4 drops and add as needed for desired color
- Heart-shaped sprinkles
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 375°F and position the baking rack in the middle; line two baking sheets with nonstick silicon mats or parchment paper and set aside.
Mixing the Dough
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat granulated sugar and softened unsalted butter until light and fluffy.
- Add room temperature eggs, pure vanilla extract, and mint extract to the butter mixture and beat until well combined.
- Gradually add half of the flour mixture, mix on low speed, then add the remaining flour mixture and continue mixing until the dough comes together and is fully combined.
Coloring & Forming
- Add 4 drops of green gel food coloring paste to the dough and beat until fully combined with no white streaks; add more food coloring as needed to achieve your desired shade of green.
- Use a medium cookie scoop (1 1/2 tablespoons) to portion the dough, then roll each portion between your palms to form a ball, placing no more than 6 balls on each prepared baking sheet, and slightly press down on the top of each.
- Optionally, roll each dough ball in powdered sugar or granulated sugar for an extra decorative touch before baking.
Baking & Finishing
- Bake for 8 minutes, or until the cookies have started to crinkle; they will continue to set and crinkle more as they cool.
- As soon as the cookies are removed from the oven, carefully and gently press a heart sprinkle into the top of each cookie, then let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
The color of the cookies will fade slightly during baking, so you may want to add a bit more green food coloring initially. Rolling the dough in powdered or granulated sugar is an optional step that adds an extra decorative touch.
