My kids (even though we are Jewish) loved watching The Grinch for the first time. Despite lots of questions about why he would steal Christmas, it opened the door for us to get creative in the kitchen. As a busy mom of 3 and big fan of cake mix cookies, I knew that these Grinch Cake Mix Cookies weren't just perfect for Christmas cookies, but would be fun for anyone who loves a lovable Dr. Suess character.
After perfecting my cake mix cookie game with red velvet cookies and lemon cookies, I knew The Grinch had to be next on my list. So I grabbed the green food coloring and got to work.
With just a few pantry ingredients these cookies are so easy to make, the kiddos could almost do it themselves. They are the perfect treat to make on a cold winter day and then enjoy while you cozy up for family movie night.
TL;DR - Grinch Cake Mix Cookies
- 💚Why you'll love it: These bright green cookies are the easiest way to channel your favorite holiday movie and bring a little cheer to your kitchen.
- #️⃣ Number of Ingredients: 5
- ⏲️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🔥 Bake Time: 10-12 minutes
- 🎄 Substitutions: No white cake mix? Try yellow or Funfetti cake mix instead (like in my Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies). No cake mix in the house? Use a sugar cookie mix and tint it green for the same effect.
- 🌿 Pro Tip: Use gel food color for the most vibrant colors.
- 🎅 Holiday Baking Vibes: Keep the festive fun going with my 2-Ingredient Cinnamon Rolls or these easy Hanukkah Cookies.
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Key Ingredients
- White Cake mix: For best results on the green color, start with a box of white cake mix. I prefer Duncan Hines, but any brand will work.
- Green Food Coloring: I like using the liquid food coloring in this recipe, but the gel food coloring will work as well.
- Vegetable Oil: You can substitute the oil with butter, canola oil or even coconut oil.
- Eggs: I always use large eggs when baking.
Recipe Variations
While these green cookies from a cake mix are delicious on their own, I have 3 easy ways to dress them up for a Christmas party, class party or cookie swap.
- Grinch sandwich cookies: You'll want to look for two cookies that are the same size. Then place a dollop of vanilla buttercream in the middle of one cookie and top with the other one, pressing down slightly to distribute the filling well.
- Green Crinkle Cookies: Roll each cookie dough ball in powdered sugar before baking for a crinkle effect on the baked cookies.
- Mini Grinch Cookies: Using a small cookie scoop, make mini cookies to use as decoration on a cake or just for small hands to enjoy.
- Make them for St. Patrick's Day: Leave off the red heart and instead add a shamrock sprinkle and call them green cake mix cookies for St. Patrick's day☘️.
- For Tu B'Shevat: Watch the movie the Lorax and make these green cookies and melted chocolate to attach pretzel sticks onto them to make trees. Tu B'Shevat is the Jewish birthday of the Trees.
How to Make Grinch Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add the white cake mix, green food coloring, eggs and oil. Stir until you can't see any more dry cake mix. You don't want to overmix.
Step 2: Using a cookie scoop to make sure all your cookies are the same size roll each cookie ball in the powdered sugar. Then place the coated cookie balls on your prepared baking tray, leaving about 2" between dough balls.
Step 3: Bake for 8-10 minutes until you see cracks on the top of the cookies, being careful not to overbake them. Remove from the baking tray and let cool.
Decorating Tips for Grinch Cookies
The Grinch cake mix cookies are delicious on their own, but are also super fun to decorate as a family. Here are some ideas we have tried:
- Mini m&m's: I haven't found a package of just the red ones, but my kiddos were great at picking them out for me.
- Piping gel: Red piping gel will work to make the Grinch's heart. Make sure to let it dry before storage the cookies.
- Heart sprinkles: Use as the Grinch's heart OR just go to town with them for a festive twist on red and green cookies.
- Green sanding sugar: Frost the cookies with a thin layer of white or green frosting and sprinkle the green sanding sugar on top to give the cookies a little bling.
Storage Tips
Store the baked Grinch cookies in a zip top bag or air tight container on the counter for up to 4 days. If you have decorated them or made sandwich cookies, I suggest using wax paper or parchment paper to separate the layers in your container.
Freezing Instructions: I like to bake the cookies first, letting them cool and then freeze them. The dough mixes up so quickly there is no real benefit to freezing the dough before baking. They will last in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Other Desserts from Boxed Baking Mixes
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📖 Recipe
Grinch Cake Mix Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz White Cake Mix Duncan Hines is our preferred brand
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup oil
- 4 drops food coloring (gel or liquid will work)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling the dough in)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the white cake mix, the eggs and the oil. Mix a few times and then add in the green food coloring to your desired color. Stir again just until you can't see any more dry cake mix, being careful not to overmix.
- Using a cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough into balls, then roll in the powdered sugar before putting onto your prepared baking tray. Leave about 2" between dough balls. Place one red m&m or heart shaped sprinkle on each ball of dough.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until you see cracks on the top of the cookies, being careful not to overbake them.
- Remove from the baking tray and let cool.
lynda rodil says
Very easy cookie to make with toddlers!
They enjoyed it very much!
I made this with spice cake mix for grownups! Yum!