There are holiday cookies that taste good, and then there are holiday cookies that instantly put people into a festive mood just by looking at them. Grinch Cake Mix Cookies fall solidly into the second category. These soft, chewy, bright-green cookies topped with a single red heart are charming, playful, and surprisingly easy to make. They are a Pinterest sensation for a reason: they combine bold visuals, minimal effort, and maximum holiday spirit.
If you are looking for a cookie recipe to boost holiday engagement on Pinterest, attract readers to your blog, or give your audience an easy Christmas bake that feels fun and magical, this Grinch Cake Mix Cookie recipe is a perfect fit. It is simple enough for beginners and impressive enough for holiday cookie exchanges, school parties, neighbor gifts, or Christmas movie nights. With just a handful of ingredients, you can recreate a cookie that instantly captures the essence of the classic story about growing your heart and spreading kindness.
In this guide, you will learn the best techniques to get the perfect chewy texture, how to create a vibrant Grinch-green color, how to keep the shape consistent, and how to attach the iconic red heart without it melting or sliding. This article is written with Pinterest users in mind: clear instructions, reliable results, and highly shareable visuals that drive clicks and saves.
Let’s step into Whoville and start baking.
What Are Grinch Cake Mix Cookies?
Grinch Cake Mix Cookies are soft, chewy cookies made from boxed cake mix and colored bright green to resemble the Grinch. Instead of chocolate chips or sprinkles, the highlight is a single red heart candy placed on top. This signature heart imitates the moment in the story when the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes, giving the cookies a whimsical and heartwarming touch.
They are incredibly popular because:
- The recipe requires almost no baking experience.
- The color and design are instantly recognizable.
- They photograph beautifully for Pinterest and Instagram.
- Kids love helping decorate them.
- The cleanup is quick and easy.
- They use pantry-friendly, affordable ingredients.
Unlike regular cake mix cookies, this version focuses more on shape control, color vibrancy, and keeping the heart detail intact. The combination of soft texture and iconic holiday design makes them one of December’s most shared Christmas cookie recipes.
Why These Cookies Are Perfect for the Holiday Season
They Are Unmistakably Festive
The bright green color and tiny red heart stand out on any holiday cookie platter. They also pair beautifully with classic red and white Christmas cookies, making them a centerpiece dessert.
They Are Easy for Kids
Whether it is mixing the dough, rolling the scoops, or placing the heart, this recipe is family-friendly and ideal for holiday traditions.
They Work for Every Occasion
Bring them to a school party, church gathering, office lunch, holiday bake sale, or Christmas movie night. They fit every holiday event.
They Feel Special Without Extra Work
You get all the charm of a decorated cookie without needing piping bags, sprinkles, or hours of decorating.
They Are Foolproof and Consistent
Cake mix ensures dependable results every time. Even if you are not a regular baker, you can make these cookies successfully.
Ingredients You Will Need
The ingredient list is short and straightforward. The key is choosing the right type of cake mix and the correct shade of green.
- 1 box vanilla or white cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 to 2 teaspoons green gel food coloring
- Red heart sprinkles or red candy hearts
- Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting before baking (for a softer crinkle look)
Gel food coloring is recommended because liquid coloring does not produce a vibrant enough green and can change the dough consistency. The goal is to achieve a bold and unmistakable Grinch color.
Easy Grinch Cake Mix Cookies
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- hand mixer for blending butter and eggs
- cookie sheets lined with parchment paper
- small cookie scoop for shaping dough
- wire rack for cooling cookies
- toothpick for attaching heart candies
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 15.25 ounces white or vanilla boxed cake mix
- 1/3 cup butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- green food coloring, gel recommended
- jumbo red heart candies, for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and cornstarch. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened butter, vegetable oil, and eggs until well combined.
- Add the cake mix and stir until combined. The dough will be thick.
- Stir in green food coloring a few drops at a time until the desired bright green color is reached.
- Use a small cookie scoop to form dough balls. Drop each into the powdered sugar mixture and roll until coated.
- Place coated dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Cookies should be puffed and soft in the center. Avoid browning the edges.
- Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To attach heart candies, make a paste from 1 tablespoon of the sugar-cornstarch mix and 1/2 tablespoon of water. Use a toothpick to apply a dab to the back of each heart and press onto cookies. Allow to set before serving.
Notes
How to Make Grinch Cake Mix Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Combine the cake mix, eggs, and oil in a large bowl. Mix until a soft dough forms. Add gel food coloring little by little until you reach the perfect shade of bright Grinch green.
Step 2: Shape the Cookies
Using a cookie scoop ensures consistent size. Scoop the dough into balls and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. For slightly crinkled tops, roll in powdered sugar before placing them on the sheet.
Step 3: Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes. Cake mix cookies bake quickly, so watch closely. They should be set at the edges but still soft in the center.
Step 4: Add the Heart
Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently place a red heart candy on each cookie. Press lightly so it adheres without sinking too deep.
Step 5: Cool and Set
Let the cookies sit on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. The cooling process sets the texture and keeps the heart in place.
Tips for Perfect Grinch Cookies
Use Gel Food Coloring Only
Gel creates a richer color without watering down the dough.
Chill the Dough for Cleaner Shapes
A quick 15 minutes in the fridge helps the cookies spread less and keeps them round.
Do Not Overbake
Cake mix cookies turn dry if baked too long. Remove them when the edges are matte and set.
Attach the Hearts While Hot
If you wait too long, the cookies will cool and the hearts will not stick properly.
Avoid Overmixing
Mix just until the dough comes together to maintain a tender texture.
Add White Chocolate Chips if You Want a Variation
They add sweetness without distracting from the red heart detail.
How to Store Grinch Cake Mix Cookies
These cookies store beautifully, making them great for gifting.
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer
Freeze baked cookies without the hearts attached. Thaw, then add hearts with a small dot of icing or melted chocolate.
Dough Freezing
Roll into balls, freeze on a tray, and store in a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen with 1 to 2 extra minutes.
Perfect for Holiday Gifting
These cookies are especially popular for gifting because they are:
- Cute and eye-catching
- Easy to pack
- Soft and tender
- Crowd-pleasing in flavor
- Whimsical in theme
Place them in a clear cellophane bag or a Christmas tin with a tag saying “May your heart grow three sizes this year.” Readers love simple holiday treats that feel thoughtful and clever without requiring hours of decorating.
Creative Ways to Serve Grinch Cookies
- On a Christmas dessert board
- Paired with hot cocoa or peppermint mocha
- Wrapped individually for party favors
- Served during a family movie night watching the Grinch
- Added to a cookie exchange platter
- Displayed on a cake stand at a holiday brunch
They look especially beautiful alongside red velvet cookies, white chocolate peppermint cookies, or chocolate crinkle cookies.