Grinch Crinkle Cookies are the perfect festive treat that will add a splash of color and a burst of flavor to your holiday celebrations! As the season of giving approaches, baking these cookies can become a cherished tradition for friends and family. With their vibrant green color and a crackly, snowy white sugar finish, they bring a whimsical spirit that echoes the playful essence of the Grinch himself. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie that’s both sweet and vibrant, turning every bite into a merry experience.
In this post, I’ll guide you through creating these delicious cookies step-by-step. Whether you’re a baking pro or just beginning your kitchen adventures, making Grinch Crinkle Cookies is simple and fun. Plus, they’re sure to impress anyone who takes a bite. So, grab your apron, and let’s get started on baking cookies that are sure to spread holiday cheer!
Ingredients
To make the most delightful Grinch Crinkle Cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional for an extra flavor twist)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup green food coloring
- powdered sugar for dusting
Having all these ingredients ready makes the process smooth and fun. Once you gather everything, you’re set for a festive baking adventure!
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Work Area
Before jumping into mixing, take a moment to prepare your workspace. Clear off your counters and ensure you have all the necessary tools like mixing bowls, a whisk, measuring cups, and baking sheets. It’s helpful to have everything close by so you can focus on mixing and baking.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the granulated sugar and softened butter until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. After that, add in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing just until combined. Then, carefully stir in the green food coloring until you’ve reached the desired shade. This vibrant green is important; it gives your cookies that iconic Grinch look!
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps. By doing this, you ensure that all the dry ingredients mix evenly into your cookie dough.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in the large bowl. Stir until the dough forms. It may take a little elbow grease to bring everything together, but it’ll come together nicely!
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Once you’ve mixed everything, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge. Chilling the dough for about 30 minutes helps the flavors blend and makes shaping the cookies easier. While it chills, you can clean up the kitchen or sip on some cocoa.
Step 6: Preheat the Oven
While your dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the cookies start baking at the right temperature. Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper, which helps the cookies bake evenly.
Step 7: Shape the Cookies
After the dough has chilled, it’s time to roll them into balls! Take about a tablespoon of dough and roll it between your hands to form small balls. Then, roll each ball in powdered sugar. This not only adds sweetness but also creates that beautiful crackled look once they’re baked.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Place the powdered sugar-covered cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, making sure to keep some space between them because they will spread. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies should look slightly underbaked when you take them out. Don’t worry; they will continue to cook on the baking tray.
Step 9: Cool Down
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling time allows them to set and makes them easier to move without breaking.
Step 10: Enjoy Your Cookies
Once the cookies have cooled completely, it’s time for the best part: enjoying them! Share with friends, family, or keep them all to yourself (we won’t tell!). They make a magical addition to any holiday gathering.
Tips for Perfect Cookies
Here are some friendly tips to help you whip up the best Grinch Crinkle Cookies:
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Chill for Success: Don’t skip chilling the dough; it helps prevent spreading and gives the cookies a lovely texture.
- Storage: Store your cookies in an airtight container for up to a week. If they last that long!
Variations and Customizations
Feeling creative? Here are some ideas to personalize your Grinch Crinkle Cookies:
- Add Mint: Mix in some crushed peppermint candies or mint extract for a refreshing minty twist.
- Sprinkles: Top with festive sprinkles before baking to add some holiday flair.
- Different Colors: Use different food colorings to swap out the green for other fun colors.
Conclusion
Baking Grinch Crinkle Cookies is not only about creating delightful treats, but it’s also about making memories. These cookies spark joy and laughter among friends and family during the holidays. The vibrant color, combined with their sugary sweetness, just captures the essence of the season.
So, whether you’re whipping up a batch for a holiday gathering or simply treating yourself, these cookies are sure to be a hit. Don’t hesitate to share your cookie pictures and experiences; I’d love to hear how they turned out for you! Happy baking!
Print
Grinch Crinkle Cookies
Grinch Crinkle Cookies are a fun, festive treat filled with vibrant green color and a sugary finish. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings or a sweet indulgence any time!
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional for an extra flavor twist)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup green food coloring
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare your work area and gather necessary tools.
- Cream together granulated sugar and softened butter until light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, almond extract, and green food coloring.
- Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until dough forms.
- Chill the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll dough into balls and coat with powdered sugar.
- Place coated dough balls on baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Enjoy your cookies!
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough cookies.
Chilling the dough helps improve texture and prevents spreading.
Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 30
