Grinch Crinkle Cookies
If your family watches How the Grinch Stole Christmas every holiday season, these adorable Grinch Crinkle Cookies deserve a spot on your Christmas baking list! Made with a box of cake mix, these bright green cookies are incredibly soft, chewy, and finished with the Grinch’s tiny red heart.
This easy Christmas cookie recipe comes together with just a handful of pantry ingredients, making it perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, classroom parties, cookie trays, or an afternoon of baking with the kids. The crinkled powdered sugar coating gives each cookie a beautiful snowy appearance while the red candy heart reminds everyone that even the Grinch’s heart can grow three sizes!
Whether you’re hosting a Christmas movie night or simply looking for a fun holiday dessert, these Grinch Crinkle Cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles.
Why You’ll Love These Grinch Crinkle Cookies
- Made with a simple cake mix shortcut
- Soft, chewy texture every time
- Kid-friendly holiday baking project
- Perfect for Christmas cookie platters
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- Festive green color with the Grinch’s iconic red heart
Ingredients
To make a batch of Grinch Crinkle Cookies, you’ll need:
- 1 box French Vanilla Cake Mix
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- Green food coloring (gel or liquid)
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- Red candy hearts
For the Cookie “Glue”
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
How to Make Grinch Crinkle Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the cake mix to remove any lumps.
Add the softened butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Add several drops of green food coloring and mix until the color is evenly distributed. Gel food coloring works especially well. Make the dough slightly darker than your desired color since the cookies lighten as they bake.
Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to firm up the dough.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 375°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 3: Make the Sugar Coating
In a small bowl, whisk together:
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
This mixture creates the beautiful crackled appearance once baked.
Step 4: Roll the Cookies
Using a medium cookie scoop or about 1 tablespoon of dough, form 1-inch balls.
Roll each dough ball generously in the powdered sugar mixture until completely coated.
Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for 8–10 minutes on the center rack.
The cookies should be set around the edges while remaining soft in the center.
Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
If baking multiple batches, keep the remaining dough refrigerated until you’re ready to use it.
Step 6: Add the Grinch’s Heart
Once the cookies have cooled completely, make the edible “glue.”
Whisk together:
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
The mixture should be thick enough to hold its shape.
Transfer it to a piping bag or a sandwich bag with a tiny corner snipped off.
Pipe a small dot onto each cookie and gently press a red candy heart into place.
Allow the icing to dry before storing.
Tips for the Best Grinch Crinkle Cookies
- Chill the dough so it’s easier to roll.
- Use gel food coloring for a brighter holiday green.
- Roll the cookies heavily in the powdered sugar mixture for dramatic crinkles.
- Don’t overbake—the centers should still look soft.
- Let cookies cool completely before adding the candy hearts.
Storage
Store your Grinch Crinkle Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Simply thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use white cake mix instead of French vanilla?
Yes! White cake mix works just as well and gives the cookies a slightly lighter vanilla flavor.
Why mix powdered sugar with cornstarch?
The cornstarch helps create larger, more defined cracks during baking while keeping the powdered sugar from melting into the dough too quickly.
Can kids help make these?
Absolutely! Kids love rolling the dough in powdered sugar and decorating each cookie with the Grinch’s signature red heart.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! They’re a wonderful make-ahead Christmas cookie and stay soft for several days.
Be sure to check out our other holiday baking recipes.
Grinch Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box French Vanilla Cake Mix
- 4 tbsp Butter, room temp
- 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 2 large Eggs
- Green Food Coloring
- 1/3 C Powdered Sugar
- 1/3 C Cornstarch
- Red Candy Hearts
- 1/4 C Powdered Sugar
- 1 tbsp Milk
- Sandwich Bag
- Parchment Paper
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, pour the cake mix and get out any lumps with a whisk. Next, add the butter, eggs, and vegetable oil to the cake mix. Mix until it is well combined. Pour a few drops of the green food coloring into the bowl. I used gel food coloring and it really had to be worked into the cookie dough. Go a few shades darker than you want because these cookies will lighten in color while baking. Place the bowl of dough in the fridge for about 15 minutes. While the dough is chilling preheat the oven to 375F.In a small bowl combine 1/3C of powdered sugar and the cornstarch. Use a small whisk to combine them. Once the cookie dough has chilled, remove it from the fridge and make 1 inch balls. I used a medium cookie scoop to make the balls. Then roll the ball of dough in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes on the middle rack in the oven. Let cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes then move to a cooling rack. While the cookies are baking be sure to put the dough back in the fridge until you are ready to make the next sheet full. Once the cookies have cooled completely it's time to glue the hearts on the cookies. In a small bowl combine 1/4 C powdered sugar and the milk. Whisk it together until it's a thicker glue-like consistency. Place it in a sandwich bag and snip the corner. Squeeze a little bit of the mixture onto the cookie and then place the red heart on the mixture. This sugar milk mixture will help hold the heart in place. Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
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