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These cheerful holiday Grinch Cookies bring joy to Christmas time tables. They've got a hint of mint and come with a cute red heart on top, making them just right for adding fun to your festive parties.
What You'll Need
- White Cake Mix (15.25 oz): Forms the soft, cloud-like foundation of your cookies.
- Unsalted Butter (8 tbsp): Make sure it's soft so it mixes well and gives a buttery taste.
- Large Eggs (2): They hold everything together and give the cookies structure.
- Peppermint Extract (2 tsp): Adds that cool, minty Christmas feeling everyone loves.
- Vanilla Extract (½ tsp): Brings out the sweetness and makes flavors pop.
- Green Gel Food Coloring: Turns your cookies into that famous Grinchy shade.
- Powdered Sugar (¼ cup): Creates a snowy coating on the outside of each cookie.
- Cornstarch (3 tbsp): Keeps the sugar stuck to your cookies so they look pretty.
- Red Heart-Shaped Sprinkle: Shows how the Grinch's tiny heart grew bigger with Christmas spirit.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1:
- Get your oven hot at 375°F and put parchment paper on a big baking sheet.
- Step 2:
- Grab your mixer and beat together the cake mix, soft butter, and eggs until they're all mixed up.
- Step 3:
- Pour in the mint and vanilla flavors, then squeeze in green coloring until you get a bright Grinch green.
- Step 4:
- Mix up the sugar powder and cornstarch in another small bowl.
- Step 5:
- Scoop out balls of dough (about 1½ tablespoons each), roll them in the sugar mix until covered, and put them on your sheet about 1 inch from each other.
- Step 6:
- Let them bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges look done and the tops aren't wet anymore.
- Step 7:
- Right when they come out hot, push a red heart sprinkle into each cookie to give them that classic Grinch look.
- Step 8:
- Let them sit on the hot pan for 5 minutes, then move them to a cooling rack to finish cooling off.
How to Serve and Keep Fresh
- These taste best when they're not too hot or cold, just room temperature.
- Keep any extras in a sealed container on your counter for up to 5 days.
- Want to save them longer? Stick them in the freezer for up to 3 months and let them warm up naturally before eating.
Handy Tips
- Green Food Coloring: The gel kind works better than liquid drops and won't make your dough runny.
- Heart Sprinkles: If you can't find the plain red hearts, try cinnamon hearts for a spicy surprise.
- Adjusting Peppermint Flavor: If you want less minty cookies, just put in 1 teaspoon instead of 2.
Pro Chef Advice
- Use Quality Ingredients: Better extracts and fresh stuff really do make tastier cookies.
- Room Temperature Eggs and Butter: Take them out early so they blend better and make fluffier cookies.
Why This Works So Well
- They'll brighten up any Christmas party or cookie swap.
- So simple to make but with that fun Grinch color and cute design!
- Everyone loves the minty flavor and soft, chewy bite.
Mix It Up
- Chocolate Drizzle: Pour some melted chocolate over the top for extra yumminess.
- Chocolate Chips: Toss in tiny chocolate bits for a mint chocolate combo.
- Swap Extracts: Try using almond or just vanilla for a whole new flavor adventure.