Grinch Sugar Cookies Recipe delivers soft, chewy vanilla sugar cookies dyed festive green with a single red heart that hints at sweet holiday mischief. Perfect for Dr. Seuss fans, cookie swaps, and movie nights, and the batch takes about 35 minutes start to finish. I bake these every year while my kid critiques the shade of green like a tiny art director.
Why Grinch Sugar Cookies Recipe Is Worth It
Grinch Sugar Cookies Recipe gives you tender centers, light crisp edges, and a buttery vanilla flavor that suits every festive plate. The green tint and one red heart add instant charm without fussy decorating. You mix the dough in minutes and bake in quick batches, so you get maximum fun with minimum fuss.
You can prep the dough ahead, chill it, and bake later for fresh cookies during a busy week. The recipe uses pantry staples, so you likely own most of it already. The red heart makes kids smile and also wins over skeptical grown-ups.
Ingredients You Need
- Unsalted butter, softened: 1 cup or 2 sticks (European-style butter adds richer flavor)
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup
- Large egg: 1
- Pure vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons
- Almond extract: 1/4 teaspoon, optional but tasty
- All-purpose flour: 2 1/4 cups (stir, spoon, and level)
- Baking powder: 1 teaspoon
- Kosher salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Green gel food coloring: about 8 to 12 drops, or to shade you like; gel works best for bright color without thinning the dough (Wilton Leaf Green or AmeriColor Electric Green both work)
- Red heart sprinkles: 24 to 36 pieces
- Optional add-ons: 1/3 cup white sanding sugar for sparkly edges, or 1/2 cup white chocolate chips for a quick drizzle
- Makes about 24 medium cookies
Pantry shortcuts and swaps:
- Use store-bought sugar cookie dough in a pinch, tint it green, and mix in a spoon of flour if it feels too soft.
- Swap gluten-free 1:1 flour that includes xanthan gum if needed.
- Use plant-based butter sticks if you avoid dairy; pick a brand that lists at least 75 percent fat for good texture.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- 2 baking sheets and parchment
- 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop
- Wire rack
- Small microwave-safe bowl if you plan a white chocolate drizzle
Quick Tips & substitutions
- Soften butter to cool room temp; it should dent with a gentle press, not slump.
- Use gel food color, not liquid drops, to keep the dough from turning sticky.
- Mix dry ingredients just until combined to keep cookies tender.
- Chill scooped dough 10 minutes if your kitchen runs warm; it helps prevent spread.
- Press the heart sprinkle on warm cookies right out of the oven if it falls off.
- No almond extract on hand? Add an extra 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
- For less sweet cookies, skip sanding sugar and drizzle.
- Bake one tray at a time for even browning.
How to Make Grinch Sugar Cookies
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
- Heat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment.
- Beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until creamy and a bit fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract; beat until smooth.
- Add several drops of green gel food color and mix; adjust the color until it looks bright Grinch green.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Add the dry mix to the wet mix on low speed and stir just until the dough comes together; stop when no dry flour shows.
- Scoop 1.5 tablespoon mounds of dough, roll them smooth, and place them 2 inches apart on the sheets.
- Roll tops in sanding sugar if you want sparkle, then return to the sheet.
- Chill the loaded sheet for 10 minutes if the dough feels soft.
- Bake one sheet on the center rack for 8 to 10 minutes, until edges set and centers look puffy but not browned.
- Press one red heart sprinkle on the top of each cookie while the cookies sit warm on the sheet.
- Cool cookies on the sheet for 5 minutes, then move them to a rack to cool completely.
- Optional: melt white chocolate in 15-second bursts, stir smooth, and drizzle over cooled cookies.
Recipe Variations
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum, and add 1 extra tablespoon milk if the dough feels dry.
- Vegan: Use plant-based butter sticks and a flax egg made with 1 tablespoon ground flax plus 3 tablespoons water; add 1 more teaspoon vanilla for aroma.
- Low carb: Use a fine almond flour sugar cookie base you trust, tint green, and add sugar-free red sprinkles; watch bake time since almond flour browns faster.
- Add-ins: Stir in 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, crushed peppermint, or festive jimmies for texture.
Ways to Serve Grinch Sugar Cookies
- Pair with hot cocoa or peppermint mochas during a movie night.
- Tuck two cookies around vanilla ice cream for quick sandwiches.
- Pack in tins with parchment for gifts and cookie exchanges.
- Set on a platter with chocolate crinkle cookies and snickerdoodles for color contrast.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using).
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Add green gel food coloring and mix until the dough is evenly colored.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Press a red heart sprinkle onto the center of each cookie.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just set. Do not overbake.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For the best color, use gel food coloring. Do not overbake, or cookies will be less chewy. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.