Ready to add a touch of mischievous charm to your holiday baking? Then prepare to fall in love with our Grinch Crinkle Cookies! These delightful green Christmas sugar cookies are the perfect way to celebrate the season with a playful twist. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie, bursting with vibrant green color and a hint of vanilla, all coated in a snowy dusting of powdered sugar.
These Grinch Crinkle Cookies aren’t just a treat for the taste buds; they’re a feast for the eyes, guaranteed to bring a smile to even the grinchiest of hearts. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your holiday culinary adventures, this recipe promises a fun, festive, and incredibly delicious outcome.
Key Ingredients for Grinch Crinkle Cookies
Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up a batch of these festive Grinch Crinkle Cookies. Make sure to get fresh ingredients for the best results!
- 2 ¾ cups (340g) All-Purpose Flour, sifted: Sifting the flour ensures a light, airy texture and prevents lumps.
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder: This provides the lift for those perfectly crinkled edges.
- ½ teaspoon Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- 1 cup (226g) Unsalted Butter, softened: Room temperature butter creams beautifully, incorporating air for a tender cookie.
- 1 ½ cups (300g) Granulated Sugar: The base sweetness for our cookies.
- 2 Large Eggs, at room temperature: Room temperature eggs emulsify better with the butter and sugar, creating a smoother dough.
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Essential for that classic cookie flavor.
- 1-2 teaspoons Green Gel Food Coloring (or liquid): Gel food coloring provides a more vibrant color with less liquid, but liquid will work too. Adjust to your desired shade of Grinch green!
- ½ cup (60g) Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): For rolling the cookies, creating that signature crinkle effect.
How to Make Grinch Crinkle Cookies
Get ready to create some holiday magic with these irresistibly festive Grinch Crinkle Cookies! This recipe is incredibly easy to follow, delicious in every bite, and delivers a satisfyingly chewy texture with a delightful crinkle finish. In just 25 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of baking, you’ll have a batch of vibrant green cookies that are perfect for any festive occasion.
● Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare Your Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This typically takes about 3-5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add Green Color: Now, it’s time to make them Grinchy! Add 1 teaspoon of green gel food coloring to the wet mixture. Mix until the color is evenly distributed. If you desire a more intense green, add another ½ to 1 teaspoon of food coloring until you reach your preferred shade.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to tough cookies. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour, or up to 2-3 hours. Chilling is crucial for easy handling and for the sugar to properly adhere, creating those beautiful crinkles.
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheets: While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare Powdered Sugar: Pour the powdered sugar into a shallow bowl.
- Scoop and Roll: Once the dough is chilled, take it out of the refrigerator. Using a small cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons) or your hands, roll the dough into 1-inch balls.
- Coat in Powdered Sugar: Roll each dough ball generously in the powdered sugar, ensuring it’s completely coated. A thick layer of powdered sugar is essential for the crinkle effect.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the coated cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly set and the cookies are puffed up with beautiful crinkles, but the centers still look slightly soft. Do not overbake to ensure a soft and chewy texture.
- Cool: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Why You’ll Love These Grinch Crinkle Cookies
You’ll absolutely adore these Grinch Crinkle Cookies for so many reasons, making them an instant holiday classic in your home. The main highlight is undeniably their whimsical appearance – that iconic vibrant green hue peeking through a snowy blanket of powdered sugar truly captures the mischievous spirit of the Grinch! Beyond their charming looks, these cookies offer an incredibly soft, chewy texture with wonderfully crisp edges, making each bite a delightful experience. Making these at home is a fantastic way to save money compared to store-bought holiday treats, and you get the added satisfaction of creating something truly special from scratch. The simple yet delightful vanilla flavor, enhanced by the playful green color, makes them irresistible.
These Grinch Crinkle Cookies are especially special because they’re easy to make and visually stunning, perfect for holiday parties or a quiet evening by the fire. If you enjoyed the festive fun of these cookies, you might also like our Classic Gingerbread Man Cookies recipe, which brings another layer of traditional warmth to your holiday baking. Don’t just dream of festive treats; dive into your kitchen and experience the joy of baking these vibrant cookies today! You won’t regret bringing a little Grinchy cheer into your holiday season.
What to Serve Grinch Crinkle Cookies With
These Grinch Crinkle Cookies are delightful on their own, but pairing them with the right accompaniments can elevate your holiday experience.
- Hot Beverages: A classic pairing! Serve them alongside a steaming mug of hot cocoa with marshmallows, a warm vanilla latte, or a traditional spiced apple cider. The warmth and creamy notes of these drinks beautifully complement the cookies’ sweetness.
- Milk: For the young (and young at heart!), a cold glass of milk is always a perfect match for any sugar cookie.
- Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: For a decadent dessert, serve a warm Grinch Crinkle Cookie with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The contrast in temperatures and textures is heavenly.
- Holiday Dessert Platter: These green beauties make a fantastic addition to any holiday cookie platter, alongside other festive treats like shortbread, gingerbread, or peppermint bark.
Top Tips for Perfecting Grinch Crinkle Cookies
- Use Gel Food Coloring: While liquid food coloring works, gel food coloring provides a more vibrant, concentrated green without adding excess liquid to your dough. This helps maintain the cookie’s texture.
- Don’t Skimp on Chilling: Chilling the dough for at least an hour (or even better, two to three!) is non-negotiable. It helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and roll. More importantly, it ensures the powdered sugar coating adheres properly, leading to those gorgeous, distinct crinkles. Warm dough will absorb the sugar, resulting in fewer crinkles.
- Roll Generously in Powdered Sugar: Don’t be shy with the powdered sugar! The thicker the coating, the more pronounced and beautiful your crinkles will be. Roll each ball several times to ensure it’s completely covered.
- Even Sized Balls: Use a cookie scoop to ensure all your cookies are roughly the same size. This promotes even baking and consistent crinkles across the batch.
- Don’t Overbake: These cookies are meant to be soft and chewy. They might still look slightly underdone and puffy in the center when you pull them out, but they will set as they cool. Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly cookies. Stick to 8-10 minutes.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together smoothly, creating an emulsified base that holds air, which is crucial for light and tender cookies.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Proper storage ensures your Grinch Crinkle Cookies stay fresh and delicious for as long as possible.
- At Room Temperature: Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. To prevent them from sticking together, you can place a piece of parchment paper between layers.
- In the Refrigerator: If you need to extend their freshness slightly, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, the texture might become a little firmer.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: These cookies freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag, with parchment paper between layers, for up to 3 months.
- Reheating (Thawing):
- From Room Temperature: No reheating needed! Enjoy them as is.
- From Refrigerator: Let them come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes for optimal softness.
- From Freezer: Transfer frozen cookies to an airtight container and let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours or overnight. For a slightly warmed, fresh-from-the-oven feel, you can pop a thawed cookie into the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Freezing Dough: You can also freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls. Roll them in powdered sugar first, then freeze on a baking sheet until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake from frozen, adding an extra 2-4 minutes to the baking time.
Final Thoughts
These Grinch Crinkle Cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a symbol of holiday cheer, a sprinkle of whimsy, and a guaranteed smile-maker for anyone who takes a bite. Their vibrant green hue, coupled with the classic crinkle effect, makes them stand out on any holiday dessert table, captivating both young and old. We hope you embrace the joy of baking these festive cookies and create lasting memories in your kitchen. May your holiday season be filled with delicious cookies, laughter, and a heart three times its size! Happy baking!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Grinch Crinkle Cookies FAQs
Q1: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 2-3 days in advance and keep it tightly covered in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld and often results in an even better texture. Just make sure to let it warm up slightly on the counter (10-15 minutes) before rolling if it’s too firm.
Q2: What if I don’t have green gel food coloring?
A: You can use liquid green food coloring, but you might need more of it to achieve a vibrant green. Start with 1 teaspoon and add more drops until you reach your desired shade. Be mindful not to add too much liquid, as it can alter the dough consistency.
Q3: My cookies aren’t crinkling properly. What went wrong?
A: The most common reasons for poor crinkling are:
* Insufficient chilling: Warm dough absorbs the powdered sugar.
* Not enough powdered sugar: Make sure to coat the dough balls generously.
* Overmixing the dough: Can result in a tougher texture that doesn’t crinkle as well.
* Oven temperature variations: Ensure your oven is accurately heated.
Q4: How can I make these cookies taste more festive?
A: You can add a ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract along with the vanilla for a minty twist, or a pinch of cinnamon for a warmer spice note. You could also mix in some white chocolate chips for extra sweetness!
Q5: Are these cookies suitable for gifting?
A: Yes, they are perfect for gifting! Their festive look makes them a wonderful homemade present. Just package them in an airtight container or cookie tin to keep them fresh.
Q6: Can I use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar?
A: While possible, substituting brown sugar will change the texture of the cookie to be softer and chewier throughout, and it might make the powdered sugar coating less prominent. For the classic crinkle cookie texture, granulated sugar is recommended.
Grinch Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare Your Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.2 ¾ cups All-Purpose Flour, 1 teaspoon Baking Powder, ½ teaspoon Salt
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This typically takes about 3-5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well combined.1 cup Unsalted Butter, 1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.2 Large Eggs, 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Add Green Color: Now, it’s time to make them Grinchy! Add 1 teaspoon of green gel food coloring to the wet mixture. Mix until the color is evenly distributed. If you desire a more intense green, add another ½ to 1 teaspoon of food coloring until you reach your preferred shade.1-2 teaspoons Green Gel Food Coloring
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to tough cookies. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour, or up to 2-3 hours. Chilling is crucial for easy handling and for the sugar to properly adhere, creating those beautiful crinkles.
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheets: While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare Powdered Sugar: Pour the powdered sugar into a shallow bowl.½ cup Powdered Sugar
- Scoop and Roll: Once the dough is chilled, take it out of the refrigerator. Using a small cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons) or your hands, roll the dough into 1-inch balls.
- Coat in Powdered Sugar: Roll each dough ball generously in the powdered sugar, ensuring it’s completely coated. A thick layer of powdered sugar is essential for the crinkle effect.½ cup Powdered Sugar
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the coated cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly set and the cookies are puffed up with beautiful crinkles, but the centers still look slightly soft. Do not overbake to ensure a soft and chewy texture.
- Cool: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.