Description
Holiday cheer meets playful Grinch Cookies with a whimsical green twist that delights both kids and adults. Sweet sugar-coated treats bring Christmas spirit directly to your plate, sparking joy with each deliciously mischievous bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies Base:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Grinch Flavor and Color:
- 1/4 cup matcha powder
- 1/2 tsp green food coloring
- 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
Decorative Toppings:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup red candy melts
- 2 tbsp white sprinkles
- 1 tbsp red sprinkles
- 1/4 cup cream cheese (for frosting)
Instructions
- Cream softened butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until completely smooth and uniform.
- Sift together flour and matcha powder in a separate bowl, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
- Add green food coloring and peppermint extract, kneading gently to distribute color and flavor evenly throughout the dough.
- Wrap the dough in plastic film and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and dough to firm up.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll chilled dough into small, uniform balls and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden, then remove and cool completely on wire racks.
- Prepare cream cheese frosting by mixing cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth and spreadable.
- Drizzle red candy melts over cooled cookies in a decorative pattern.
- Sprinkle white and red sprinkles over the cookies while candy melts are still warm to ensure they adhere.
- Allow decorated cookies to set at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Substitute matcha powder with cocoa powder for a chocolate version that maintains the vibrant green color using green food coloring.
- Ensure butter is exactly room temperature for optimal creaming, preventing dense or crumbly cookie texture.
- Replace peppermint extract with almond or vanilla extract for a more neutral flavor profile that works for sensitive palates.
- Make cookies gluten-free by swapping wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg