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As the holidays approach, there’s always that palpable excitement in the air, and what better way to channel this festive spirit than through some delightful baking? Today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe that has quickly become a holiday tradition in my home—Grinch Cookies! Not only are these cookies an absolute joy to look at with their vibrant green color and festive red and green M&M’s, but they also embody the whimsical charm of the season. Each bite is a reminder of the warm, festive cheer that the holidays bring. So, let’s get into the holiday spirit together and bake some magic!
Ingredients
Refrigerated
- 2 large Eggs
Baking & Spices
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 1 tsp Cornstarch
- Green food coloring
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 2/3 cups Sugar
- 1 tbsp Vanilla extract
Dairy
- 1 cup Butter, unsalted
Desserts
- 1 1/2 cups M&M’s, red and green
How to Make Grinch Cookies
- Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure nothing sticks.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt. Set this aside for a moment.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, beat the unsalted butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: To the creamed butter and sugar, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and enough green food coloring to achieve a bright Grinch-like green hue.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in M&M’s: Gently fold in the red and green M&M’s, distributing them evenly throughout the cookie dough.
- Scoop and Bake: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a light golden brown.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Helpful Tips
- Chill the Dough: If you have time, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking can help the cookies maintain their shape and enhance the flavors.
- Monitor the Oven: Every oven is different, so start checking your cookies a bit early to ensure they don’t overbake.
- Color Variations: Adjust the amount of food coloring based on how vibrant you want your Grinch cookies to be. Remember, a little goes a long way!
Substitutions/Variations
- Gluten-Free: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Vegan Options: Use plant-based butter and an egg substitute like applesauce or mashed banana for a vegan version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze Grinch cookies? Yes! These cookies freeze well. Just make sure they are completely cooled before freezing and store them in an airtight container.
How long will these cookies stay fresh? Stored in an airtight container, these cookies will stay fresh for up to a week at room temperature.
Storage Instructions
To keep your Grinch cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can also be stored in the refrigerator if you prefer them chilled.
More Relevant Recipes
If you loved these Grinch Cookies, you might also enjoy:
- Chewy Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies: Perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth.
- Double Chocolate Chip Cookies: Twice the chocolate, twice the indulgence.
- Christmas Lasagna: A holiday feast in every layer.
- Chocolate Mousse Cake: Rich, creamy, and utterly decadent.
Thank you for joining me in spreading some holiday cheer through baking! I hope these Grinch Cookies bring a smile to your face and a burst of joy to your holiday gatherings. Happy baking, and remember, every cookie is a little piece of love!
PrintGrinch Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
Dive into the festive spirit with Emma’s Grinch Cookies! These delightful treats are inspired by the whimsical charm of everyone’s favorite holiday grump. Bright green with bursts of red and green M&M’s, these cookies are just as fun to make as they are to eat. Perfect for parties, these cookies promise to be the highlight of your holiday treats, spreading smiles and joy!
Ingredients
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 1 tsp Cornstarch
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 2/3 cups Sugar
- 1 tbsp Vanilla extract
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 cup Unsalted butter
- Green food coloring
- 1 1/2 cups Red and green M&M’s
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla and green food coloring.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients, then fold in M&M’s.
- Drop dough by scoops onto the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
Notes
- For a vibrant green color, adjust the amount of food coloring as needed.
- Chilling the dough before baking can help enhance flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
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