Make these fun Grinch Crinkle Cookies for Christmas. They're soft, green, and have tiny red heart on top - just like the story. Easy to make and kids love them. Perfect for movie nights or holiday parties.
Why Make These Cookies
These cookies look cool and taste better. Kids get excited seeing green cookies with red hearts. Great for Christmas parties or movie nights watching the Grinch. Don't take long to make, and everyone wants to know how you made them.
What You Need
- Flour: 2 1/2 cups plain
- Baking Powder: 2 spoons
- Salt: Pinch
- Sugar: 1 cup white
- Eggs: 2 large
- Butter: 1 stick, soft
- Vanilla: 1 spoon
- Peppermint: 1/2 spoon
- Green Color: Few drops
- Extra Sugar: For rolling
- Red Hearts: Small candy ones
How to Make It
- Heat oven:
- Turn to 375°. Put paper on cookie sheet.
- Mix dry stuff:
- Put flour, baking powder, salt in bowl. Mix with spoon.
- Beat butter:
- Mix soft butter and sugar till fluffy - about 3 minutes.
- Add wet stuff:
- Put in vanilla, peppermint, eggs. Mix till smooth.
- Make dough:
- Add dry mix to wet stuff slow. Don't mix too much.
- Make green:
- Put in green color. Mix till looks like Grinch-green.
- Roll balls:
- Make small balls. Roll in sugar till covered.
- Put on pan:
- Space balls apart on sheet. Push down little bit.
- Add hearts:
- Put red heart on each cookie.
- Bake them:
- Cook 8 minutes. Edges should look bit brown.
- Let cool:
- Wait 2 minutes. Move to rack to cool more.
Makes Them Special
Not just green sugar cookies - they're Grinch cookies! Look fun on Christmas cookie plate. Taste sweet and minty. Kids love helping make them green and putting hearts on top.
About The Good Stuff
Fresh butter works best - makes cookies taste rich. Don't skip peppermint - makes them taste Christmas-y. Green color should be bright like Grinch. Hearts need to stick good - press in bit when dough's warm.
Make Them Your Way
Want quick way? Use cake mix and add green color. Like more mint? Add extra drop peppermint. Some folks use powdered sugar for rolling - makes white cracks show better. Try different heart candies if you want.
Baking Tips
Don't skip paper on pan - cookies stick bad without it. Make balls same size so they cook even. Press hearts in good but not too deep. Watch close at end - they burn quick. Cool bit before moving or they break.
Keeping Them Fresh
Put in box with tight lid. Stay good 5 days on counter. Want to save longer? Freeze up to 3 months. Let warm up before eating. Stack with paper between so hearts don't stick. Don't put in fridge - makes them hard.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make dough early?
You bet! Mix it up to 3 days before. Keep it wrapped tight in the fridge. Let it warm up about 20 minutes before rolling into balls - makes it easier to work with. Some folks make double batches - use one now, save one for later. Want it super fresh? Make the dough night before, bake in morning. The dough actually works better after chilling - helps cookies keep their shape better and crackle more on top.
- How do I keep them soft?
Watch that baking time! Take them out when edges are set but middle still looks a tiny bit soft - they keep cooking on the pan. Cool on pan 5 minutes, then move to rack. Once cool, put in tight box with piece of bread - keeps them soft for days. Layer with wax paper if stacking. Don't put away warm or they get soggy. Some folks add a spoon of pudding mix to dough - makes them extra soft. Just don't overbake or they get hard!
- Do they freeze okay?
Perfect for freezing! Roll dough in balls but don't coat in sugar yet. Freeze on tray then pop in freezer bag - good for 3 months. When ready, thaw 30 minutes, roll in sugar, then bake. Want to freeze baked ones? Wait till totally cool, freeze flat first, then box up with wax paper between layers. Hearts might bleed color when thawed, so maybe add those after. Let thaw in fridge overnight for best results.
- What else can I try?
Get creative! Add lemon zest for fresh taste. Try peppermint extract instead of vanilla - very Christmas-y. Some use almond flavor. Want them sparkly? Roll in colored sugar. Make them any color - red for Valentine's, orange for Halloween. Change up the heart candy - stars for New Year's, eggs for Easter. Just keep same amount of liquid if switching extracts. Some folks add white chips too!
- Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes - use cup-for-cup gluten-free mix like Bob's Red Mill or King Arthur. Add 1/4 spoon xanthan gum if your mix doesn't have it. Might need extra 1-2 spoons flour since GF needs more. Let dough sit 30 minutes before rolling - helps texture. They might spread more, so space them out good. Check ingredients in color and hearts too - sneaky gluten hides there! They'll be a tiny bit different texture but still yummy.
Some More Ideas
Love making fun cookies? Try decorating sugar cookies too - you can make any shape you want. Or bake some gingerbread people if you want that spicy smell in your kitchen.