Grinch Cookies Using Cake Mix

Grinch cookies will be one of your favorite Christmas desserts – and your kids too! These are so easy to make with cake mix and perfect for cookie exchanges.

Have you ever seen “How the Grinch Stole Christmas?” Of course you have! That’s why you’re here – but also, it’s been around as a TV special, book, and movie our whole lives.

I can’t remember Christmas before the Grinch! And honestly, his smile is one of my favorites. It’s very memorable.

But how much do you know about the Grinch truly? Let’s see if you are aware of these facts:

First Appearance – Before the famous book, The Grinch character appeared in a 32-line poem called “The Hoobub and the Grinch,” published in Redbook magazine in 1955.

He Didn’t Start Out Green – The original book illustrations by Dr. Seuss had The Grinch in black and white with pink eyes. The color version we know today (green) was popularized by the animated TV special.

Looney Director – The 1966 animated TV special was directed by Chuck Jones, the guy famous for Looney Tunes and Merry Melodies cartoons. He and Dr. Seuss actually knew each other from their time in the Army during WWII.

Friend of Frankenstein – The original 1966 animated TV special had Boris Karloff as the narrator and the voice of The Grinch. His portrayal is often considered iconic.

The Real Grinch – Some believe that Dr. Seuss modeled our favorite Christmas character after himself. Apparently, he wasn’t feeling the Christmas spirit one year and felt rather “Grinchy.”

I hope you enjoyed these fast facts, just as much as I hope you love these Grinch cookies.

These tasty cookies are VERY easy to make with a cake mix shortcut. You’ll add a few basic ingredients, green food coloring, and a candy heart to turn them into a delicious, Grinch themed dessert recipe.

The texture is often somewhere between a cookie and a piece of cake – soft, a bit chewy, but also crumbly. They’re super moist, thanks to the cake mix. You’re going to love them!

Tips for Making Delicious Cookies

Before you dive into these, I’ve got some tips for you on making the best (and tastiest) cookies. If you’re interested, check them out. Otherwise scroll to the bottom for the recipe.

Use Quality Ingredients

Use high-quality, fresh ingredients for the best cookie flavor and texture. You’ll for sure want to get fresh eggs, good quality butter, and pure vanilla extract (instead of imitation).

Bring Cold Ingredients to Room Temp

Bring ingredients like butter and eggs to room temperature before mixing. They will incorporate better, resulting in smoother batter and soft cookies. They don’t need to be warm; slightly cool to room temp is fine.

Avoid Overmixing

Mix the batter just until ingredients are combined, or the dry disappears into the wet. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.

Chill the Dough

Chilling the cookie dough in the fridge for the specified time (or even overnight) before baking allows the flavors to meld and the fats to solidify. This results in cookies with better flavor and texture. It also prevents them from spreading too much during baking.

Look for Golden Edges

Unless the recipe says otherwise, the edges of the cookies should turn a golden brown while the center remains slightly soft. This balance ensures a chewy texture without overbaking.

Cool Before Transferring

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and avoids them becoming too fragile and crumbling apart.

Remember, practicing and experimenting will help you perfect your cookie baking skills over time. Have fun and enjoy the process of creating delicious baked goods! Here’s what you’re going to need for these Grinch cake mix cookies.

Ingredients

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• Green gel food coloring
• Red heart shaped candy heart or sprinkles

Store these cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for 5-7 days. They will last about 10 days or so in the fridge.

Store completely cooled baked cookies in a freezer bag and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw cookies completely to room temperature before eating.

Get the printable recipe for these cookies below.

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If you enjoyed these Grinch cake cookies, let me know in the comments! Please also check out these other unique cookie recipes:

Almond Flour Shortbread • Apple Pie • Apricot Dark Chocolate • Bacon Chocolate Chip • Brownie Chocolate Chip • Buckeye • Butterscotch Chocolate Chip • Butterscotch Popcorn • Caramel Apple • Chocolate Chip (Air Fryer) • Chocolate Chip Pudding • Chocolate Chip Sandwich • Chocolate Marshmallow • Chocolate Mint Sandwich • Chocolate Thumbprint • Christmas Butter • Christmas Crack • Christmas Linzer • Ginger Molasses • Heath Bar • Nutella Stuffed • Oatmeal Chocolate Chip • Oatmeal Cream Pies • Paleo Shortbread • Peanut Butter Blossoms • Peppermint Frosted • Peppermint Pudding • Red Velvet Thumbprint • Reese’s Pieces • Reindeer • Rice Krispie Treats • Ritz S’mores • Rolo • Santa • Shortbread Tea • Snickers • Vanilla • White Chocolate Cranberry • White Chocolate Snickerdoodles • Whoopie Pies