These 5-ingredient Grinch cookies are as easy to make as they are fun to eat. They only take 15 minutes from start to finish and the kids will love them, especially when you enjoy them while watching the Grinch Stole Christmas on TV or reading the classic book!
Why these will make your heart so happy!
Superb flavor - These cookies don't just look cool, they taste great too. I wanted to make up these Grinch cookies because I love anything pistachio flavored. I thought this would be a great way to get the fun green color with that fantastic flavor all in one incredible Christmas cookie! Plus, who doesn't love a good Dr. Seuss story?
Ready in minutes - I love a good semi-homemade recipe and these check the box of being quick, semi-homemade and delicious! I have tried them with some many types of pudding but pistachio remains my favorite. They are just as easy as our 15-minute gluten free cake mix cookies and our Christmas crack, which are always winners.
Just a few ingredients - These only have a five ingredients, all that are easy to find at your local grocery store, just like my chocolate crinkle cookies. This makes it so easy to whip them together last minute, like if you forget you are attending a cookie exchange later that day (I speak from experience...).
Perfectly themed for Christmas movie night - I personally love that they are so festive looking. Kids love coming home to them after school in December because they know we will also be watching the grinch.
Here is what you need
While one of my favorite holiday traditions is baking, I do not always want to spend all day in the kitchen. This is a great recipe that does not take a long time to bake at all and little hands can help.
Gluten-free cake mix - You can use any cake mix you want, but since I have celiac disease, I use Pamela's cake mix or Pillsbury gluten-free. For flavor, a white or yellow cake mix is the way to go. Plus, a white mix or yellow mix are a great base for the green hue of the Grinch cake mix cookies.
Pistachio pudding mix - I found that pistachio pudding mix creates a bright green color for these Grinch Christmas cookies. Since the recipe uses pudding mix for the color, you do not need to use green food coloring, which can sometimes make a mess.
Candy heart sprinkles - These are optional, but cute little Candy heart sprinkles are perfect to add on top to represent the Grinch's heart. They add the final touch and will make the cookies look great on cookie platters.
Watch how fast you can make them!
- It's as simple as just combining everything (yes, everything but the cornstarch powdered sugar you roll them in) into a stand mixer then using a cookie scoop to scoop out 1" balls, THEN roll in powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture and bake!
Pro Tip: Any gluten-free cake mix will do but I prefer this easy to find Pillsbury gluten-free yellow cake mix.
- I like them just undercooked so recommend making sure you don't overbake them. This helps by immediately pressing your small red candy hearts gently into the corner of each cookie for that Grinch touch then letting the cookies rest for 1-2 minutes before moving to a wire rack.
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15 Minute Grinch Cookies (Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe)
Ingredients
- 17 ounce (1 box) gluten-free yellow cake mix dry
- 1 box pistachio pudding mix, dry
- 8 tablespoon butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- jumbo candy heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
- In a stand mixer, combine the dry cake mix, the dry pistachio pudding mix, butter and eggs then mix well
- Using a mini cookie (icecream) scoop, roll dough into about 1” balls
- In another bowl, combine the powdered sugar and cornstarch
- Roll each cookie dough ball in the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture
- Place balls on a silicone mat lined baking sheet and bake cookies 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are lightly brown on the bottom and still soft to the touch on top (I like them just undercooked)
- Remove cookies from the oven and immedietely press a candy heart gently into the corner of each
- Let the cookies rest for 1-2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally posted on December 20, 2019 and has since been updated with new information in 2022. Here is the original photo.
Heather archuleta says
Hi, I have made 2 batches of these and they are yummy. My only question is they didn’t flatten out like yours they stayed puffed up. Any idea why?
Chandice Probst says
Hmmm maybe add just a tablespoon more liquid to your dough next time and see if that helps. Sometimes I add a touch if my dough doesn't seem sticky enough.
Heather Archuleta says
Do you have to use gluten free cake mix?
Chandice Probst says
Definitely not, you can use any. 🙂
Cindy says
We’re having a Grinch-themed party at work, and these will be perfect—especially for those of us who are gluten intolerant or sensitive. I have a gluten-free white cake mix at home, but it’s 15 oz. Will that still work, and will I need to adjust the amounts of the other ingredients?
Chandice Probst says
Hi Cindy, yes it will work just fine. You can remove 1 tablespoon of butter.
Madden Probert says
Oh. My. Gosh. These are life changing cookies!! My kids absolutely ADORED them. Thank you so much Chandice! These were really helpful because i am gluten free too and these helped me SO much!!! Again, THANK YOU!!!!!!
Mary Bergland says
Is thia a LARGE or small box of pudding ????
Chandice says
Small, sorry.
Dani says
These are so cute! I’m excited to make them with my kids again for Christmas!
Crystal says
These look great and excited to try it. Do you happen to know of any brands of heart sprinkles and pistachio pudding mix that are labeled as gluten free?
Chandice says
Hey Crystal, they the pudding is Jell-O and the sprinkles are Wilton.
Crystal says
Thank you. Neither of those brands are labeled gluten free, I was wondering if you had ever come across brands of those products that are. I will contact Kraft about the pudding and look for another brand of heart sprinkles because I know many Wilton products are made on shared equipment and not tested.
Chandice says
From what I found, they are gluten-free though you are right, not labeled as such.
martutz says
Gotta try this! I'm also struggling for a healthier me, I've even start running with SportMe marathon training app and I can say I'm on the right track now. Nutrition is an important part of my losing weight plan, and your blog posts are a true inspiration!