Grinch Cookies

Our Grinch Cookies are not only adorable, easy, and delicious but they’ll remind us of exactly why the Grinch’s heart grew 3 sizes.

Every year at Christmas, we love to watch How The Grinch Stole Christmas. In fact, we love everything by the late Dr. Seuss!

How The Grinch Stole Christmas was always my favorite Christmas show…..and honestly, it still is. I’m so glad my kids love the story too because we watch the movie (along with our other favorite Christmas movies) every year!

I love the music, Cindy Lou Who, and of course, Max the dog. But I especially LOVE the message and how the Grinch learned the true meaning of Christmas. A great reminder for all of us.

Over the years, I’ve seen some recipes for “Grinch cookies” and thought that this was the year to make some of my own! 

Most of the other recipes I’ve seen have green cookies with a small red heart. I made a twist on it by not dyeing the cookies and instead, frosting them with green frosting before adding the red heart.

I hope you enjoy these festive yet super simple cookies. It’s never too late to start a new tradition to go along with a family night and the Grinch!

Have you seen these adorable Grinch Chocolate Covered Strawberries? And both the Grinch strawberries and these cookies taste pretty amazing with some Grinch Punch Mocktail 😁

If you want more holiday cookie recipes, try my Santa Gnome Cake Mix Cookies, Holiday Fruitcake Cookies, or White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies!

Ingredients Needed For Grinch Cookies Recipe

This version of Grinch cookies is super easy – here’s what you’ll need.

• Sugar Cookies – homemade, pre-made or refrigerated, ready to bake
• Powdered Sugar
• Warm Water
• Light Corn Syrup – give the icing the nice glossy shine
• Vanilla Extract
• Green Food Coloring – the number of drops is your discretion based on the color green you want your icing to be
• Red Candy Hearts – take your pick: red cinnamon hearts, heart sprinkles, or gummy hearts!

For exact measurements and instructions, please check out our handy printable recipe card at the bottom of the post!

How To Make Grinch Cookies

You can make these Grinch cookies by either making your own sugar cookie dough or buying premade dough and baking them. Or you could even push the “easy button” and buy already baked sugar cookies!

I had busy moms in mind, which is why I did the frosting instead of dyeing the dough!

Step 1

Begin by prepping your cookies (whether you’re buying them or baking them).

Step 2

Combine warm water, light corn syrup, and vanilla in a medium-size mixing bowl. Stir until the corn syrup dissolves.

Step 3

Add in powdered sugar and stir until smooth.

Step 4

Add green food coloring drops to the mixture. Stir and add coloring until the shade of color you reach is desired and the frosting is mixed well.

Step 5

Generously spoon the frosting onto the middle of each cookie and spread out evenly and smoothly toward the edge of the cookie.

Step 6

Place candy heart on the upper left side of the cookie in the frosting.

Step 7

ENJOY!!!

Grinch Cookies Recipe Notes And Tips

• This icing can easily be doubled if you plan on making a large batch of cookies.

• If you choose to make homemade sugar cookies or the refrigerated ready-to-bake kind, be sure to allow them to cool completely before icing the cookies. If the cookie is still warm the icing will become runny and won’t set correctly.

• The warm water will help the corn syrup and vanilla extract blend together and will also help with the addition of the powdered sugar.

• If you are transporting or storing your cookies to use later, make sure you let the cookies sit so the icing dries and sets before storing them.

Variations Of Grinch Cookies To Try

• Use a cookie cutter to make the cookies in different shapes such as an ornament…or a heart!

• The beauty of this recipe is that you can change up the color of icing for any holiday or occasion. Just use whatever color food coloring fits your occasion and add a little decoration. For example, for Easter you could make the frosting a pastel color and add a small jelly bean or chocolate malted egg to the top or use orange food color for Halloween and add a piece of candy corn to the top.

• Add some extra flavor to your sugar cookies. If you decide to make them from scratch or ready to bake and add in some chocolate chips, toffee chips, chopped walnuts or pecans or a little citrus zest.

• Do you enjoy a little glam? Add green-colored sugar or green sprinkles to spice up these cookies a little more.

FAQs

How do I fix the frosting if it is too runny?

Begin by sprinkling in 1 or 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar into the frosting. Continue adding small amounts of powdered sugar until it thickens up and you reach the desired consistency.

I have found that the best way to prevent my frosting from getting too runny in the first place is to add the liquid very slowly and in small quantities. You may start with a large amount of powdered sugar, but the liquid melts it down very quickly!

How long will my cookies stay fresh and do I need to refrigerate them?

These Grinch Cookies do not need to be refrigerated.

However, you will want to keep them in an air-tight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and tasty for 3 – 5 days.

Can I freeze decorated Grinch Cookies?

Decorated sugar cookies will freeze well for up to 3 months.

I would recommend allowing the frosting to set completely before layering them between waxed paper and placing them in a freezer-safe container.

Note: sometimes the frosting will crack when it’s frozen. If you’ve ever had that happen to you, simply freeze the cookies without frosting and then frost them after you thaw them.

What is the best way to thaw the frozen Grinch Cookies?

It is best to thaw the cookies is at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

More Holiday Desserts To Try

If you love this Grinch cookies recipe, I feel confident you’ll love these other holiday ideas too!

• Homemade Decadent Holiday Gingerbread Whoopie Pies
• Deliciously Easy Oreo Fudge Recipe
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites
• Festive Easy Peppermint Bark
• The Best Pumpkin Cobbler