Grinch Crinkle Cookies with Chocolate Faces Recipe

If you’re looking to wow your holiday guests with a fun and festive treat, I absolutely love this Grinch Crinkle Cookies with Chocolate Faces Recipe. These green, crackly, delightfully chewy cookies bring the Grinch’s mischievous charm right onto your holiday dessert table. Once you try this recipe, you’ll find they’re not only super cute but also surprisingly simple to make—and perfect for sharing some laughs and sweet moments with friends and family!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients for this Grinch Crinkle Cookies with Chocolate Faces Recipe come together to create a moist, flavorful cookie with classic Christmas vibes. I love using gel food coloring because a little goes a long way and won’t thin the dough.

• White cake mix: The foundation of these cookies—quick, reliable, and keeps them tender.
• Unsalted butter: Melted to mix easily; be sure it’s unsalted to control salt content.
• Large eggs: Acts as a binder for the cookie dough for structure and moisture.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth, comforting and familiar.
• Green gel food coloring: For that signature Grinch green—use gel for vibrant color without messing up dough consistency.
• Powdered sugar: Essential for rolling the dough balls to get that classic crackled look.
• Red heart-shaped candies: Like red chocolate hearts or sprinkles, these add a pop of color for the Grinch’s nose and charm.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melts nicely for piping the Grinch’s mischievous chocolate face.
• Coconut oil or vegetable shortening: Helps melt chocolate smooth without seizing.

Variations

I like making this Grinch Crinkle Cookies with Chocolate Faces Recipe my own by switching up the decorations or tweaking the texture a bit, and you should too! It’s such a flexible treat that invites creativity without being complicated.

• Nutty Twists: When I’m feeling fancy, I add a handful of crushed pistachios to the dough before chilling—it pairs beautifully with the green color and gives a pleasant crunch.
• Dietary Swap: For dairy-free, I replace butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate chips; the cookies still come out amazing!
• Spiced-Up Version: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough adds cozy warmth that turns these cookies into real winter delights.
• Chocolate Variation: Sometimes, I swirl in a bit of cocoa powder into the dough to make a chocolate-grinch hybrid cookie that’s irresistible.

How to Make Grinch Crinkle Cookies with Chocolate Faces Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up That Grinch Green Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat—trust me, it makes cleanup a breeze. In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla until everything is combined smoothly. Then comes the fun part: adding your green gel food coloring. I usually add a few drops and stir, then add more as needed, until I get that perfect Grinch green that looks just right on Christmas morning!

After mixing, pop the dough into the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes. Chilling firms it up, so it’s much easier to roll and prevents those pesky cookies from spreading too thin in the oven—I’ve learned this the hard way!

Step 2: Roll, Sugar Coat, and Bake

Once chilled, scoop out about a tablespoon-sized portion of dough and roll it into a ball. Then roll each ball generously in powdered sugar so they’re completely coated—this helps give those iconic crinkly tops as they bake. Be sure to space the balls about 2 inches apart on your baking sheet.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep a close eye here—the cookies should still look soft and slightly underbaked in the middle. That way, they finish with a chewy, tender center. Let them cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 3: Create the Grinch’s Cheeky Chocolate Face

Now for the magic! Melt your semi-sweet chocolate chips with coconut oil in short bursts in the microwave—20 seconds at a time—stirring in between until smooth and luscious. Using a piping bag or a small ziplock with a tiny corner snipped, pipe a dot of melted chocolate right in the center of each cookie. Press a red heart-shaped candy gently on top so it sticks—this becomes the Grinch’s signature nose.

Then, pipe the Grinch’s sly grin around the candy: start with two upward-curving lines to create that mischievous smile, then add little lines for wrinkles or creases for character. I love how these details really bring him to life! Let the chocolate set at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes or chill briefly in the fridge for faster results.

How to Serve Grinch Crinkle Cookies with Chocolate Faces Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with red heart candies on the nose as the main garnish, but you can sprinkle a little edible glitter or some tiny green sugar crystals for extra sparkle. It’s all about making those cookies stand out as the centerpiece of your festive spread.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a warm cup of cocoa or peppermint hot chocolate for a truly cozy experience. They’re also fun alongside other holiday treats like gingerbread men, peppermint bark, or a cheese plate with some seasonal fruits.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve found that arranging these cookies on a bright red platter with some faux snow or pine sprigs makes a stunning festive display. Adding a few mini candy canes or holiday-themed cupcake liners helps turn your dessert table into a winter wonderland that everyone will remember.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After decorating, I store my Grinch Crinkle Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and chewy for up to 4 days, but in my experience, they rarely last that long!

Freezing

If you want to make them ahead of time, these cookies freeze beautifully. Just freeze the unbaked dough balls rolled in sugar, then bake straight from frozen (adding an extra minute or two to baking time). Alternatively, freeze fully baked and decorated cookies between sheets of parchment paper.

Reheating

To freshen up leftovers, pop the cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm them briefly in a low oven. This brings back that soft, just-baked texture that makes these cookies so irresistible.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I used to struggle finding that perfect festive cookie that was both adorable and easy enough to whip up last-minute, but this Grinch Crinkle Cookies with Chocolate Faces Recipe ticks all the boxes! They bring so much personality to the holidays with their cheeky smiles and bright colors, and every time I bake a batch, my family goes crazy for them. I truly recommend you try this recipe—it’s the kind of baking project that turns into a joyful tradition you’ll want to repeat year after year. Happy baking and may your holidays be full of sweet smiles!

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