Introduction

These Sweet Grinch Sugar Cookies are festive, soft, and bursting with a vibrant green hue that brings holiday cheer to your kitchen. With a surprise red heart on top, they perfectly capture the playful spirit of the Grinch. They’re simple to make and sure to delight friends and family alike.

A stack of soft, round green cookies with a slightly crinkled texture sits on a rectangular black tray set on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is sprinkled with coarse sugar crystals that catch the light and topped with a small red heart decoration in the center. The cookies have a light, bright green color and appear thick and chewy, arranged in an overlapping pile with some in full view and others partially hidden underneath. A blurred red and white striped cloth is partially visible at the bottom left corner, adding a festive touch. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 large egg yolks
1/4 tsp fine salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
8 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
12 red heart sprinkles (for the Grinch’s heart)
3-5 drops green food gel coloring (I use Wilton gel food coloring)
2/3 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

Step 1: 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.
Step 2: Melt the unsalted butter in a mixing bowl using the microwave. Stir in the granulated sugar, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and 3 drops of green food gel coloring. Mix very well until everything is fully combined and evenly colored. You can add more food coloring now if you want a deeper green shade.
Step 3: Evenly sprinkle the flour, baking soda, and salt directly over the green mixture. Stir until everything is just combined, taking care not to overmix to keep the cookies soft.
Step 4: Press the dough flat and evenly in the bowl, then divide it in half. From each half, shape 6 dough balls for a total of 12 cookies. Optionally, roll each dough ball lightly in extra granulated sugar for a sparkle and slight crunch.
Step 5: Place the dough balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes, until the cookies have spread, start to crackle, and appear dry on top. Watch carefully near the end to avoid overbaking and maintain softness.
Step 6: Immediately after removing from the oven, press one red heart sprinkle into the top of each warm cookie. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Tips & Variations

For a deeper green color, add food coloring gradually until you reach your desired shade, but be careful not to add too much liquid gel which can affect the dough texture.
Use room temperature butter to ensure smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
Rolling the dough balls in granulated sugar adds a lovely sparkle and slight crunch to the cookie exterior.
Swap vanilla extract for almond extract for a subtle nutty twist.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the cooled cookies in a sealed container or bag for up to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature. Reheating is not necessary, but warming them briefly in a low oven can refresh softness.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of round, green sugar cookies stacked on top of each other on a white plate, each cookie covered with a layer of sparkling sugar crystals. Each cookie has a small, red heart-shaped decoration placed right in the center on the top layer. The cookies have a slightly cracked texture with a soft, crumbly appearance. The white marbled surface is barely visible in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use butter substitutes for these cookies?

Yes, you can use margarine or a dairy-free butter substitute, but it may slightly change the texture and flavor. For best results, use a butter substitute that is solid at room temperature.

How do I prevent the green food coloring from staining my hands?

Wear disposable gloves when mixing the dough with food coloring, or mix carefully with a spoon to avoid direct contact. Clean any spills immediately to prevent staining surfaces.