Every Christmas, I love baking cookies that bring a little sparkle and fun into the kitchen, and these Grinch Crinkle Cookies do exactly that.

With their bright green centers, powdered sugar “snow,” and a single red heart on top, they capture the playful spirit of the season in the cutest way possible.

These soft, chewy crinkle cookies make the perfect festive treat for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, school events, and movie nights while watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

They’re easy to make, wonderfully photogenic, and totally Pinterest-ready.

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Recipe Highlights

These Grinch Crinkle Cookies are soft, chewy, and coated in snowy powdered sugar that cracks beautifully during baking to reveal the vibrant green center.

Their fun color and signature red heart candy make them a festive favorite for kids, adults, and holiday baking lovers alike.

They also use simple ingredients, come together quickly, and bake up perfectly without any complicated steps — ideal for last-minute Christmas cookie trays.

Whether you’re gifting them, serving them at parties, or making them simply because they make you smile, these Grinch cookies always bring joy to the table.

  • Bright green Christmas cookies with the classic crinkled texture.
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  • A single red heart candy gives them the iconic Grinch look.
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  • Soft and chewy inside, lightly crisp on the edges.
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  • Uses simple pantry ingredients with no chilling required.
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  • Great for Christmas dessert boards, cookie swaps, and Pinterest posts.

Ingredient Notes

All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps create the soft, tender texture.

Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create the signature crinkle effect.

Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cookies moist, soft, and chewy.

Eggs: Bind the dough and give the cookies structure.

Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet flavor to balance the green coloring.

Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and form crackled tops.

Salt: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.

Green Gel Food Coloring: Creates the bold Grinch-green color without thinning the dough.

Powdered Sugar: Coats the dough balls to create the snowy, crinkled exterior.

Red Heart Sprinkles or Candies: Adds the classic “Grinch heart grows three sizes” accent.

How to Make My Grinch Crinkle Cookie

Step 1 — Mix Wet Ingredients
Whisk together the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.

Step 2 — Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.

Step 3 — Color the Dough
Add green gel food coloring a few drops at a time until you reach the perfect bright Grinch green.

Step 4 — Coat in Powdered Sugar
Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls, roll them smooth, and generously coat each one in powdered sugar.

Step 5 — Bake
Place dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at three hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit for ten to twelve minutes.

Step 6 — Add the Heart
While still warm, gently press a red heart sprinkle or candy onto the top of each cookie.

Step 7 — Cool and Serve
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a rack.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve on a holiday dessert board.
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  • Pair with hot cocoa, peppermint coffee, or cold milk.
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  • Add to Christmas cookie tins or neighbor gift boxes.
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  • Serve during a Grinch movie night for kids.

Tips for the Best Grinch Crinkle Cookies

For the boldest color, use gel food coloring rather than liquid, which can thin the dough.

Coat the dough balls very heavily in powdered sugar so the crackles stand out after baking. Do not overbake — these cookies should stay soft and chewy inside.

Add the red heart candy while warm, so it adheres properly, but not too hot, or it may melt.

Soft & Chewy Grinch Crinkle Cookies
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Soft & Chewy Grinch Crinkle Cookies

Recipe by JoanneCourse: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

22

cookies
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

12

minutes
Calories per cookie

125

kcal

These Grinch Crinkle Cookies are soft, festive, bright green Christmas cookies coated in powdered sugar and topped with a single red heart — the perfect fun holiday baking treat.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • ½ cup vegetable oil

  • 2 large eggs

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • Green gel food coloring (about ¼ teaspoon)

  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

  • 22 red heart candies or sprinkles

Directions

  • Whisk together the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
  • Add green gel coloring until the dough becomes bright Grinch green.
  • Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and roll them smoothly.
  • Coat each dough ball generously with powdered sugar.
  • Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at three hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit for ten to twelve minutes.
  • While warm, gently press one red heart candy on top of each cookie.
  • Cool on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack.

Notes

  • Add more food coloring for an extra vibrant green.
  • Use gel coloring to avoid watering down the dough.
  • For bigger crackles, coat the dough balls twice in powdered sugar.
  • Edges should be lightly set — do not overbake.

Storage & Warming Instructions

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.
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  • Freeze unbaked dough balls (without powdered sugar) for up to two months.
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  • Freeze fully baked cookies for up to one month.
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  • Warm in the microwave for five seconds to soften if desired.
Soft & Chewy Grinch Crinkle Cookies