Grinch Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Finished Grinch Christmas Sugar Cookies — Grinch Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Dry, bland sugar cookies are a letdown, and these Grinch Christmas Sugar Cookies avoid that with a soft, buttery center, a tender bite, and sweet vanilla frosting tinted bright green. Sprinkle-edged and finished with a red heart, they make a festive bake for a cookie swap or holiday plate.

Yield: 12-15 cookies | Prep: 30 min, plus 30 min chilling | Bake: 12-15 min

Grinch Christmas Sugar Cookies Ingredients

Ingredients infographic showing bowls of flour, butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, baking powder, salt, food coloring, sprinkles for dough and frosting components

2 1/2 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour — Provides structure. Spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off so the dough does not turn out dry.
3/4 cup (170 g) softened unsalted butter — Gives the cookies their rich flavor and tender bite. It should dent easily when pressed but not be greasy or melted.
3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar — Sweetens the dough and helps the edges brown lightly.
1 large egg — Binds the dough and adds richness to the crumb.
2 tsp vanilla extract — Rounds out the buttery flavor of the dough.
1/2 tsp baking powder — Gives the cookies a little lift so they stay soft rather than spreading flat.
1/4 tsp salt — Balances the sweetness and brightens the vanilla.
Green gel food coloring, as needed — Gives an even green without thinning the dough. Add it a drop at a time.
1/2 cup (80 g) red, green, and white sprinkles — Pressed onto the edges of the dough disks before baking for a festive border.

Frosting And Decoration

1/2 cup (113 g) softened unsalted butter — The base of the frosting, which makes it creamy and spreadable.
2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar — Sweetens the frosting and gives it body. Sift it if it has lumps.
1 tsp vanilla extract — Flavors the frosting to match the cookies.
1-2 tbsp milk — Loosens the frosting. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more only if it is too stiff to spread.
Green gel food coloring, as needed — Tints the frosting green. I’d add the green gel food coloring a little at a time, since a small amount goes a long way.
12-15 red heart sprinkles — One heart goes on each frosted cookie as the finishing touch.

Substitutions And Additions

Unsalted Butter

Salted butter can be used in a pinch, but the dough will taste saltier. If you use it, reduce the 1/4 tsp salt in the dough to taste, and taste the frosting before adding more salt.

Green Gel Food Coloring

Liquid food coloring can be used, but it adds more moisture and can make the dough sticky. If you only have liquid color, add it slowly and chill the dough a little longer so it firms up before shaping.

Milk

Any milk you have on hand works for the frosting. Because the frosting contains butter and milk, keep it refrigerated when made ahead.

Sprinkles

Any red, green, and white sprinkles will work. Choose larger nonpareils or jimmies for a bolder look, since tiny sprinkles can get lost once the cookies are frosted.

How To Make Grinch Christmas Sugar Cookies

Cream the butter and sugar for the dough. In a large bowl, beat the 3/4 cup (170 g) softened butter and 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar with a hand mixer or stand mixer for about 2 to 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and 2 tsp vanilla until smooth. Add green gel food coloring a little at a time, mixing after each drop, until the mixture is pale green. Pro Tip: Gel color is strong, so a little goes a long way. Add it slowly to avoid an overly bright dough.
Mix the dry ingredients and chill. In a separate bowl, whisk together the 2 1/2 cups (315 g) flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. Fold the flour, baking powder, and salt into the green butter mixture and stop once the dough looks uniform with no powdery streaks left. Cover the dough and chill for 30 minutes so it is firm enough to shape. Pro Tip: Stop mixing as soon as the flour disappears. Overworked dough bakes up tough.
Shape and bake the cookies. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 12 to 15 portions and roll each into a ball. Flatten each ball into a thick disk, then press the edges into the 1/2 cup (80 g) red, green, and white sprinkles. Space the disks on the prepared sheets and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges are set. Let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes, then move them to a rack to cool completely. Pro Tip: Keep the disks thick. Thin disks spread and lose their shape in the oven.
Make the frosting. In a bowl, beat the 1/2 cup (113 g) softened butter until creamy. Add the 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla and beat until combined. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing well, until the frosting is spreadable, using up to 2 tablespoons. Stir in green gel food coloring a little at a time until the frosting is green. Pro Tip: If the frosting is too stiff, add milk a few drops at a time, since too much milk will make it runny. Frost and decorate. Once the cookies are completely cool, spread the green frosting over each one. Top each cookie with one red heart sprinkle before the frosting sets. Pro Tip: Frost only after the cookies are fully cool, or the frosting will melt and slide off.

Try this nextGingerbread Christmas Hot Chocolate Mug Treats

How To Serve And Store

Close-up of frosted Grinch cookies on a white rectangular plate with one broken in half to show the interior texture

Serve these cookies on a platter at a holiday gathering, pack them in a tin for neighbors, or set them out with a glass of cold milk.

Frosted Cookies

Because the frosting contains butter and milk, store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and bring them to room temperature before serving. Do not leave frosted cookies with dairy frosting out for extended periods.

Unfrosted Cookies And Freezing

Unfrosted cookies can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or frozen in a sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months. Let the baked cookies come to room temperature, then spread the frosting on and add the sprinkles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make the dough ahead?

You can prepare the dough in advance; just keep it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to roll it out. Let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes so it softens enough to roll into balls and flatten.

How do you know when the cookies are done?

The cookies are ready when the edges are set and just starting to turn golden. The centers should look soft and a little underbaked, then firm up as they cool.

Can the frosting be made ahead?

Yes, the frosting can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, since it contains butter and milk. Bring it to room temperature and beat it for a minute before spreading.

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Hailee Nova