Grinch Cookies with Neon Green and Red Heart Sprinkles Recipe
Introduction
These Grinch Cookies are a festive and fun treat perfect for the holiday season. Soft, chewy, and vibrantly green, they’re easy to make and decorated with cheerful red heart sprinkles. They’re sure to brighten up any cookie platter!
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix
- 8 ounces Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon neon green gel food coloring (add more if needed for desired color)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- Red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, thawed Cool Whip, large egg, and neon green gel food coloring. Use a rubber spatula to mix everything just until the ingredients are evenly combined without overmixing.
- Step 3: Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, scoop balls of the sticky cookie dough and roll each ball in a bowl of powdered sugar to thoroughly coat them. This helps with texture and appearance once baked.
- Step 4: Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet with about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
- Step 5: Bake the cookies for 12-13 minutes until the edges are firm and the tops look set. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft and chewy.
- Step 6: Immediately after removing from the oven, press one red heart sprinkle onto the top of each cookie so it adheres while the cookie is still warm.
- Step 7: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving to let them set properly and make handling easier.
Tips & Variations
- Adjust the amount of green gel food coloring to achieve your preferred shade of bright festive green.
- For added texture, try folding in a handful of white chocolate chips or chopped nuts into the dough before baking.
- If you can’t find red heart sprinkles, small red candies or colored sugar crystals work well as decorations.
Storage
Store the Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them soft, place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving. Reheat briefly in a microwave for a warm, soft treat.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different frosting instead of Cool Whip?
Cool Whip helps keep the cookies light and chewy, but you can substitute it with an equal amount of whipped cream or a light homemade whipped topping if preferred.
Why are the cookies sticky before baking?
The cookie dough is soft and sticky due to the Cool Whip and cake mix combination, which creates a tender texture after baking. Rolling the dough in powdered sugar helps manage the stickiness and gives the cookies a nice finish.
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Grinch Cookies with Neon Green and Red Heart Sprinkles Recipe
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
These festive Grinch Cookies are a delightful holiday treat made with a simple white cake mix base, bright neon green gel food coloring, and a fluffy Cool Whip addition for a soft, chewy texture. Coated in powdered sugar and topped with red heart sprinkles, they make a fun and colorful snack perfect for Christmas celebrations.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix
- 8 ounces Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon neon green gel food coloring (add more if needed for desired color)
For Coating and Decoration
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- Red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, thawed Cool Whip, large egg, and neon green gel food coloring. Gently mix using a rubber spatula until the ingredients are evenly combined without overmixing to maintain the cookie texture.
- Sugar Coat the Dough: Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, portion out balls of the sticky cookie dough. Roll each ball thoroughly in powdered sugar to coat them well; this step improves both texture and appearance after baking.
- Arrange Cookies: Place the powdered sugar-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 12-13 minutes until the edges are firm and the tops appear set. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft and chewy.
- Decorate: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press one red heart sprinkle onto the top of each cookie so it adheres while still warm.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before serving to allow them to set properly and become easier to handle.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep cookies tender and chewy.
- Adjust the amount of green gel food coloring to achieve your desired shade of green.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and for simpler cleanup.
- Allow cookies to cool fully on the baking sheet as moving them too soon can cause breakage.
- These cookies store well in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Grinch Cookies, Christmas Cookies, Holiday Treats, Green Cookies, Cake Mix Cookies, Festive Cookies
