Grinch Sugar Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These festive Grinch Sugar Cookies are a fun and vibrant treat perfect for holiday celebrations. With a bright green dough and a sweet red heart on top, they bring both flavor and whimsy to your cookie platter.

Ingredients

• 1 stick (4 ounces/8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
• 2 large egg yolks (no egg whites)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3-5 drops green food gel coloring
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 12 red heart sprinkles

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Step 2: Melt the butter in a mixing bowl using the microwave. Stir in the sugar, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and 3 drops of green food coloring until fully combined. Add more green coloring if you prefer a deeper green shade.
3. Step 3: Sprinkle the flour, baking soda, and salt evenly over the mixture, then stir gently just until everything comes together.
4. Step 4: Press the dough flat in the bowl and divide it roughly in half by eye, creating 6 cookies from each portion, for a total of 12 cookies.
5. Step 5: Roll each portion into a ball with your hands, then roll lightly in extra granulated sugar. Arrange the cookies evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Step 6: Bake for 10-11 minutes, until the cookies spread, begin to crackle, and appear dry on top.
7. Step 7: As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, press one red heart sprinkle into the center of each cookie while still warm so it sticks well.
8. Step 8: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• Use gel food coloring for vibrant color without altering the dough’s consistency.
• Substitute red heart sprinkles with any festive shape or candy for different occasions.
• Chill the dough briefly before baking if you prefer thicker cookies that spread less.

Storage

Store the completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them fresh longer, place parchment paper between layers. Reheat briefly in a warm oven or microwave for a soft texture if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular liquid food coloring instead of gel?

Gel food coloring is recommended because it provides strong color without adding extra liquid, which could affect the cookie dough’s texture. If using liquid coloring, add it sparingly.

Why do these cookies use only egg yolks instead of whole eggs?

The egg yolks add richness and tenderness to the cookie, while excluding the whites helps keep the texture soft and prevents spreading too much during baking.

Grinch Sugar Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 680 reviews

• Author: Lana
• Total Time: 18 minutes
• Yield: 12 cookies 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These festive Grinch Sugar Cookies are a fun holiday treat featuring vibrant green sugar cookie dough, topped with red heart sprinkles for a pop of color. Soft and slightly chewy, these easy-to-make cookies are perfect for holiday parties or gifting, with a delightful vanilla flavor and a touch of sweetness.

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Ingredients

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Cookie Dough

• 1 stick (4 ounces/8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
• 2 large egg yolks (no egg whites!)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3–5 drops green food gel coloring
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

Decoration

• 12 red heart sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and help with even baking.
2. Make the Dough Base: Melt the unsalted butter in a mixing bowl using the microwave, then stir in the granulated sugar, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and 3 drops of green food gel coloring. Mix thoroughly until fully combined. Add more green coloring as desired to reach your preferred vibrant green shade.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Evenly sprinkle the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and fine salt over the wet dough mixture. Stir just until combined to avoid overmixing and keep the dough tender.
4. Divide the Dough: Press the dough flat and evenly into the bowl. Then, visually divide the dough into two equal halves. Each half should yield 6 cookies, totaling 12 cookies.
5. Shape and Sugar the Cookies: Roll each half into balls with your hands. Lightly roll each dough ball in extra granulated sugar to create a sparkling crust, then space them evenly on the prepared baking sheet to allow for spreading.
6. Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10 to 11 minutes. The cookies should spread out, begin to crackle on top, and look dry on the surface when done.
7. Add Sprinkles and Cool: Immediately after removing from the oven, press one red heart sprinkle into the top of each warm cookie so it adheres nicely. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• Use only the egg yolks for a richer texture; egg whites are omitted to keep cookies tender.
• Adjust green gel coloring depending on desired intensity of color.
• Rolling the cookies in extra sugar before baking adds a subtle crunch and sparkle.
• Press sprinkles into warm cookies to ensure they stick properly and don’t fall off after cooling.
• Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to a week.
• You can substitute red heart sprinkles with any other small decorative candies.

• Prep Time: 7 minutes
• Cook Time: 11 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Grinch sugar cookies, Christmas cookies, green sugar cookies, festive cookies, holiday baking, vanilla sugar cookies