Are you ready to unleash your inner baker and create some seriously adorable (and delicious!) Grinch cookies? This recipe uses a simple cake mix hack to make these festive treats incredibly easy, even for beginner bakers. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these fun, green cookies – perfect for holiday gatherings or a fun weekend baking project! They're a quick dinner idea even if cookies aren't typically considered dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) white cake mix
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Green food coloring (gel or liquid)
- Red candy melts or frosting
- White candy melts or frosting
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prep the Dough:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined – don't overmix! Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
Step 2: Add the Color:
Gradually add green food coloring, a little at a time, until you reach your desired shade of Grinch-worthy green. Start with less than you think you need and add more as necessary. Gel food coloring tends to give a more vibrant color.
Step 3: Mix in Chocolate Chips:
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies:
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on them.
Step 5: Cool and Decorate:
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking.
Once the cookies are cool, it’s time for the fun part: decorating! Melt your red and white candy melts according to the package directions.
Step 6: Grinchify Your Cookies:
Use the melted red candy melts to create Grinch-like hearts on your cookies. You can use a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off for easy application. Add white candy melts to create the Grinch's signature mischievous grin. Get creative and add sprinkles for extra festive flair!
Cooking Tips for Perfect Grinch Cookies:
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Use a cookie scoop: For perfectly sized cookies, use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to measure out the dough.
- Cool completely before decorating: Decorating warm cookies will cause the candy melts to melt and run.
Variations:
- Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts would add a delicious crunch.
- Use different chocolate chips: Try white chocolate chips or butterscotch chips for a different flavor profile.
- Get creative with the decorations: Use different colored candy melts or frosting to create your own unique Grinch designs.
Nutritional Information (per cookie – approximate):
This will vary depending on the specific cake mix and ingredients used. Nutritional information is best calculated using a nutrition calculator app or website once you have your specific ingredient list finalized.
These Grinch cookies are a fun and delicious treat that’s perfect for the holidays or any occasion. The cake mix shortcut makes them super easy to whip up, even for those who aren't experienced in the kitchen. Enjoy the baking process and the delicious results!