This super easy recipe for Grinch Sugar Cookies doesn’t require any chill time in the fridge and comes together in just 22 minutes! These drop-style sugar cookies are made with melted butter, dyed a merry green, and topped with a single red sprinkle to represent the Grinch’s growing heart. It’s a one-bowl, kid-approved cookie perfect for class parties, Christmas movie nights, or setting out for Santa (if you think he’s into holiday humor).
Yield: 12 cookies
Prep Time: 12 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 stick (4 oz/8 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
- 2 large egg yolks (no whites!)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3–5 drops green gel food coloring (use more if using liquid coloring)
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt (omit if using salted butter)
- 12 red heart sprinkles
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Melt the butter in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the granulated sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add the green food coloring and stir to combine. Use 3 drops for a light green or go bold with 5 or more. Adjust to your Grinchiest preference.
- Sprinkle in the flour, baking soda, and salt over the butter mixture. Stir until the dough comes together.
- Flatten the dough in the bowl, then divide it in half. From each half, scoop out 6 even portions (12 cookies total).
- Roll each dough ball between your hands, then roll lightly in a bowl of extra granulated sugar.
- Place the dough balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10–11 minutes, or until the cookies puff up, begin to crackle, and look dry on top.
- Immediately press a red heart sprinkle into the center of each warm cookie right after removing from the oven.
- Cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes & Tips:
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They soften over time but stay chewy.
- Make-Ahead: Freeze unbaked dough balls and bake from frozen, just add 1–2 minutes to the bake time. Or freeze fully baked cookies with the red hearts pressed in.
- For extra crinkle: Bake directly on a greased cookie sheet without parchment or silicone. For uniform round cookies, use a large round cookie cutter to shape them right after baking.
- Classroom party hit: These are perfect for kid-friendly holiday events or themed parties.
Nutrition Information (per cookie):
- Calories: 138
- Total Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 49mg
- Sodium: 117mg
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 13g
- Protein: 3g
Tried these Grinchy goodies? Share your cookie creations on Pinterest or Facebook and tag us, we’d love to see how they turned out!
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.
