Grinch Inspired Peppermint Sugar Cookies

The Grinch Who Stole My Heart

I first made these cookies for my grandson. He loved the Grinch story. I wanted to surprise him. So I made green cookies with a minty kick. His smile was so wide. I still laugh at that.

Food is more than eating. It is a way to show love. A silly green cookie can make a big memory. That matters more than a perfect shape. What story or character inspires your baking?

Getting Your Dough Just Right

Let’s start with the butter and sugar. Beat them until fluffy. This puts air in your dough. It makes cookies light. Doesn’t that smell amazing already?

Now add the egg and extracts. Peppermint is the star here. Vanilla is its quiet friend. They work together. Fun fact: Peppermint is actually a mix of two mint plants!

The Secret is a Cold Nap

After you make dough balls, chill them. I know, waiting is hard. But this step matters. It stops cookies from spreading too flat. It keeps them nice and thick.

Trust this kitchen grandma. I have skipped chilling before. My cookies ran into each other. They made one big green blob. We still ate it, of course. But shape is nicer. Do you ever get impatient and skip chilling?

Baking With Your Nose

Bake at 350 degrees. Watch for just 6 to 8 minutes. They will look soft in the middle. That is perfect. They firm up as they cool.

Your kitchen will smell like a candy cane forest. That smell is part of the joy. Taking time to notice it matters. It turns cooking into an experience. Which holiday smell makes you happiest?

Time to Make Them Yours

Let the cookies cool completely. Now, decorate! A simple white glaze looks like snow. Or add red sprinkles for a festive touch.

There is no wrong way. My grandson once used purple sprinkles. He said the Grinch would like purple. I loved that. Your kitchen, your rules. The goal is to have fun together. That is the best ingredient of all.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
all purpose flour	1 ¼ cup (156.25 g)
salt	¼ teaspoon (1.5 g)
baking soda	¼ teaspoon (1 g)
baking powder	¼ teaspoon (1 g)
butter, softened	½ cup (113.5 g)
granulated sugar	½ cup (100 g)
egg, room temperature	1 medium
peppermint extract	½ teaspoon (2 g)
vanilla extract	½ teaspoon (2 g)
green gel food coloring	as needed

My Grinch Cookies That Steal Hearts

Hello, my dear. Come sit at the counter. I want to tell you about my Grinch cookies. They start out a funny green color. But they are full of sweet peppermint cheer. My grandson named them years ago. I still laugh at that.

Making them is a simple joy. It reminds me of baking with my own grandma. Her kitchen always smelled of sugar and butter. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Let’s make some memories together. Here is how we do it.

• Step 1: Grab two bowls. In the first one, mix your flour, salt, baking soda, and powder. Just give them a good whisk. This makes sure our cookies are soft and happy. In the other bowl, beat the soft butter and sugar. Beat it until it looks fluffy and light.
• Step 2: Now, add the magic. Pour in the peppermint and vanilla extracts. Mix them right into the butter. Then crack in your egg. Beat it all until it’s one cozy family. (A hard-learned tip: room temperature egg blends better. No one wants streaks!)
• Step 3: Time for the green! Add several drops of green gel coloring. Make it as green as the Grinch himself. Then, slowly add your flour mixture. Mix it gently until no white spots remain. The dough will be soft and lovely.
• Step 4: Scoop the dough into little balls. Place them on a baking sheet. Now, patience is key. You must chill the dough for 20 minutes. This keeps them from spreading too flat. Why do we chill cookie dough? Share below!
• Step 5: Bake them in a hot oven. Just 6 to 8 minutes is enough. They should look soft when you take them out. Let them cool right on the pan. They will finish setting up. Then you can decorate them any way you like.

Cook Time: 6–8 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 12 cookies
Category: Dessert, Cookies

Three Fun Twists to Try

Once you know the basic recipe, you can play. I love to change things up. It makes baking feel new every time. Here are three of my favorite ideas. They are all simple and fun.

• Sparkly Snow Cookies: Roll your green dough balls in white sparkling sugar before baking. They will look like they have frosty snow on them.
• Chocolate Heart Cookies: Add a handful of mini chocolate chips to the dough. The chocolate bits are like the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes.
• Peppermint Swirl Cookies: Use only half the green coloring. Then swirl plain and green dough together for a marbled look.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Them Up With Style

These cookies are wonderful all on their own. But a little presentation is nice. For a party, stack them on a red plate. Drizzle them with a simple white icing. You could even add a tiny red candy heart on top.

What to drink with them? A cold glass of milk is always perfect. For the grown-ups, a cup of hot cocoa with a peppermint stick is lovely. The minty flavors dance together so well.

Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Grinch Cookies Fresh & Festive

Let’s talk about keeping these cookies tasty. First, cool them completely. I once iced warm cookies. The frosting melted right off. What a mess!

Store them in a sealed container. They stay soft for 4-5 days. You can freeze the dough balls, too. Just bake a few fresh anytime.

This matters because holiday time is busy. Having dough ready saves you stress. You can bake for surprise guests. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Cookie Troubles? Let’s Fix Them Together

Sometimes cookies spread too thin. Your butter was likely too soft. I remember when mine ran into each other. They became one giant cookie!

If they taste bland, add a pinch more salt. Salt makes the sweet flavors pop. If the color is pale, use gel food coloring. Liquid coloring changes the dough texture.

Fixing small issues builds your confidence. You learn how ingredients work together. This leads to better flavor every time. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Grinch Cookie Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make these gluten-free? A: Yes! Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. It works perfectly.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead? A: Absolutely. Chill it for up to two days. This actually helps the flavor.

Q: What if I don’t have peppermint extract? A: Use all vanilla. They will be sweet sugar cookies instead.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You sure can. It’s great for big cookie platters.

Q: Any fun decorating tips? A: A little red frosting heart makes them extra sweet. *Fun fact: The Grinch’s heart grew three sizes!* Which tip will you try first?

Bake Some Holiday Cheer

I hope you love baking these little green treats. They always make my kitchen smell like joy. Sharing them is the very best part.

I would love to see your creations. Your cookies will be wonderful. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! Use @TheCozyOven so I can find them.

Happy cooking!
—Anna Whitmore.