10 Mind-Blowing Grinch Cookies That'll Steal The Show This Holiday Season

Okay, so you want to be the person who shows up with the cookies everyone’s talking about. These Grinch cookies are basically your ticket to holiday baking fame. They’re fun, they’re festive, and honestly, way easier than they look.

Trust me on this. I make at least three of these every December.

1. Classic Grinch Sugar Cookies (with Heart Candy)

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring
Red and green colored sugar
Chocolate kiss candies (1 per cookie)

Instructions:

Step 1: Mix your softened butter and sugar together until it’s light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Add the egg and vanilla, then the green food coloring. You want a bright Grinch green here, so don’t be shy with the color. Too pale? Add more. It’s basically impossible to mess this up.

Beat everything until smooth.

Step 2: Whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.

Gradually add this to your butter mixture. The dough will start pulling away from the sides when it’s ready. If it feels too sticky, pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Roll the dough into balls, about 1 tablespoon each.

Roll some in red sugar and some in green sugar. Spread them out on your baking sheet because they will spread a bit. I learned that the hard way when my first batch turned into one giant cookie.

Step 4: Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.

They should look set but still soft. Pull them out and immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each one. The heat will melt the bottom of the kiss just enough to stick.

Let them cool completely on the pan.

2. Grinch Crinkle Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Red and green sprinkles

Instructions:

Step 1: Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in one bowl.

In another bowl, beat the sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Add green food coloring until you get that signature Grinch shade.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients. The batter will be thick.

Step 2: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours.

I know, waiting is annoying, but this step is crucial. It keeps the cookies from spreading into flat pancakes. Sometimes I make the dough the night before and bake them fresh in the morning.

Step 3: Scoop the dough into balls and roll them in powdered sugar.

Really coat them. The powdered sugar creates those beautiful cracks as they bake. Place them on a lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Press a few sprinkles on top before baking.

Step 4: Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

They’ll puff up and crack beautifully. Don’t overbake or they’ll get dry. Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

These are my favorite part of Christmas baking.

3. Grinch Stuffed Oreo Cookies

Ingredients:

24 Oreo cookies
1 cup white chocolate chips
2 tablespoons coconut oil
Green gel food coloring
Red candy melts
Green candy melts
White candy melts

Instructions:

Step 1: Carefully twist apart each Oreo to separate the halves.

Keep the cream on one side. Melt your white chocolate chips with coconut oil in 30 second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each burst.

Add green food coloring and mix until smooth.

Step 2: Dip each Oreo half into the green chocolate, coating it completely.

Tap off the excess and place on parchment paper. Work quickly because the chocolate sets fast. If it gets too thick, reheat it for 10 seconds.

Step 3: Melt the red and white candy melts separately.

Drizzle or pipe the red candy melts onto half the cookies. Use the white candy melts on the other half. You can get creative here with swirls or dots.

Let them set for about 10 minutes.

Step 4: Sandwich two decorated halves together, one red and one white or one green and one white.

Press gently so they stick. These look way fancier than the effort required, which is honestly the dream.

Store them in an airtight container for up to a week.

4. Grinch Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring
2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions:

Step 1: Cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.

Add the eggs and vanilla, then the green food coloring. Mix until the dough turns bright green. It’s going to look wild, but that’s the point.

Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together.

Gradually add this to your wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Don’t overmix or the cookies will be tough. Fold in the chocolate chips at the end.

Step 3: Scoop dough onto a lined baking sheet using a cookie scoop.

Space them about 2 inches apart. If you want thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. Room temperature dough spreads more, which I actually prefer.

Step 4: Bake at 375°F for 9 to 11 minutes.

The edges should be set but the centers still look a bit underdone. They’ll continue cooking on the pan. Let them cool for 5 minutes before moving them.

Better than store bought, I promise.

5. Grinch Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread or jam

Instructions:

Step 1: Beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.

Add the egg yolks, vanilla, and green food coloring. Mix until the color is even throughout. The dough should be soft and smooth.

Step 2: Stir in the flour and salt until a dough forms.

If it feels too soft to handle, refrigerate it for 20 minutes. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and place them on a lined baking sheet.

Step 3: Press your thumb into the center of each ball to create an indent.

Don’t press all the way through, just make a nice well. If the edges crack a bit, gently smooth them with your finger. Totally normal.

Step 4: Bake at 350°F for 12 to 14 minutes.

Remove from the oven and immediately re-press the centers if they puffed up. Let them cool for 5 minutes, then fill each indent with chocolate hazelnut spread or jam.

I use a piping bag for this, but a spoon works too.

6. Grinch Blossom Cookies

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring
Red, green, and gold colored sugar
Chocolate kiss candies

Instructions:

Step 1: Beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until fluffy.

Add the egg, vanilla, and green food coloring. Mix until the dough is bright green and smooth. This is where the magic starts.

Step 2: Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Add to the wet ingredients and mix until combined. The dough will be soft but not sticky. If it’s sticking to your hands, add a tablespoon of flour.

Step 3: Roll the dough into balls, about 1 tablespoon each.

Roll each ball in red, green, or gold colored sugar. Really coat them well. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 4: Pull them out and immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center.

The cookie will crack around the edges, which looks perfect. Let them cool completely on the pan so the kisses set properly.

These disappear fast at parties.

7. Grinch Cake Mix Cookies

Ingredients:

1 box vanilla cake mix
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
Green gel food coloring
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Red heart sprinkles or candies

Instructions:

Step 1: Mix the cake mix, oil, and eggs in a large bowl.

Add green food coloring until you get a vibrant Grinch green. The dough will be thick and a bit sticky. That’s exactly what you want.

Step 2: Scoop the dough into balls using a cookie scoop.

Roll each ball in powdered sugar, coating it completely. The sugar creates a beautiful crackled effect when they bake. Place them on a lined baking sheet.

Step 3: Press a red heart sprinkle or candy into the center of each cookie.

This is the Grinch’s heart growing, obviously. Space them about 2 inches apart because they spread a little.

Step 4: Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

They should be set but still soft in the center. Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring. These are so easy that I make them with my kids.

Literally the fastest cookies ever.

8. Grinch Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Red and green gel food coloring
1 cup buttercream frosting

Instructions:

Step 1: Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Add the egg and vanilla, mixing well. Divide the dough in half. Color one half bright green and the other half red using gel food coloring.

Step 2: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Divide this between the two bowls of colored dough. Mix each until smooth. Wrap both doughs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 3: Roll out each dough to about 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface.

Cut out shapes using a cookie cutter. Place on lined baking sheets and bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes. Let them cool completely.

Step 4: Spread buttercream frosting on the flat side of one cookie.

Top with another cookie, flat side down, to make a sandwich. Mix red and green cookies for the full Grinch effect. These are stunning on a cookie platter.

Store them in the fridge if it’s warm.

9. Grinch M&M Cookies

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring
1 1/2 cups red and green M&Ms

Instructions:

Step 1: Beat the butter and both sugars together until creamy and light.

Add the eggs, vanilla, and green food coloring. Mix until the dough is evenly colored. It should be a bright, cheerful green.

Step 2: Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt in another bowl.

Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the M&Ms, saving a few to press on top before baking.

Step 3: Scoop dough onto a lined baking sheet using a cookie scoop.

Press a few extra M&Ms on top of each cookie for that picture perfect look. Space them about 2 inches apart.

Step 4: Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

The edges should be golden but the centers still soft. Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes. These are always a hit with kids.

They’re colorful, fun, and taste amazing.

10. Grinch Linzer Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring
Red, green, gold, and white sanding sugar
1/2 cup raspberry or strawberry jam

Instructions:

Step 1: Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Add the egg, vanilla, and green food coloring. Mix until smooth and evenly colored. The dough will be soft.

Step 2: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Add to the wet mixture and stir until a dough forms. Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Cold dough is easier to roll.

Step 3: Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface.

Cut out circles using a cookie cutter. Use a smaller cutter to cut out the centers of half the cookies. Roll the edges of the cutout cookies in colored sanding sugar.

Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 4: Let the cookies cool completely, then spread jam on the solid cookies.

Top with the cutout cookies, pressing gently. The jam will peek through the center, which looks so pretty. These are fancy but surprisingly simple.

Perfect for gift boxes.

Final Thoughts

You just leveled up your holiday baking game. Pick your favorites, get that green food coloring ready, and go make some magic. Everyone’s going to want the recipe, so maybe screenshot this now. Which one are you trying first? Let me know in the comments.