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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Cookies ยป 15 Minute Grinch Cookies (Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe)

    15 Minute Grinch Cookies (Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe)

    Published: May 17, 2022 ยท Modified: Jan 5, 2025 by Chandice ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 9 Comments

    JUMP TO RECIPE
    Grinch Cookies (4-Ingredients) pin

    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!

    Grinch cookies in a hand

    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?

    They are just as easy as our 15-minute gluten free cake mix cookies and our Christmas crack,ย which are always winners. Plus they only have a few 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…).

    I personally love that they are so festive looking. Kids love coming home to them after school in December. I love making both this easy cookie recipe and our gluten-free ginger molasses cookies (my FAVORITE holiday cookie recipe) which takes just a touch more time but not much and they are SO worth it!

    If you are more of a classic cookie maker, you can get the green look with these pistachio cookies as well. And, they are delicious! Another yummy cookie you should try are my Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles.

    Grinch cookies in a hand

    What do you need to make them?

    What I love about this recipe, besides what delicious cookies they are, is that you only need a few ingredients to make them. While one of my favorite holiday traditions is baking, I do not want to spend all day in the kitchen. This is a great recipe that does not take a long time to bake at all.

    Ingredients for grinch cookies on a marble platter

    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.

    Grinch Cookies Step-by-Step Instructions

    How to make them

    Making these cookies really couldn’t be any more simple. They take just a few minutes to put together and will be a new favorite for your family during the holidays!

    • Start by preheating 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

    Pro Tip: Any gluten-free cake mix will do but I prefer this easy to find Pillsbury gluten-free yellow cake mix. 

    • Using a small cookie scoop, roll dough into about 1โ€ balls
    • In a small 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 cookie 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 immediately press small red candy hearts gently into the corner of each
    • Let the cookies rest for 1-2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack
    Grinch cookies on a marble plate
    Can you make these cookies dairy-free?

    You bet you can! Simply use a dairy-free butter stick and a dairy free, gluten-free cake mix.

    Can you freeze them?

    Absolutely! I love to freeze them and pull just one or two out when I want them. They only take 15 minutes or so to thaw. Although, I love them cold and a bit frozen. Make sure you place parchment paper between the layers of cookies so they do not stick together.

    How do you store leftovers?

    Leftovers can be store in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Make sure to let them cool to room temperature before putting them in a container with the lid. Also, keep them in a cool, dry place so the powdered sugar doesn’t get moist.

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    15 Minute Grinch Cookies (Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe)

    Grinch Cookies (4-Ingredients) in a hand
    5 from 7 votes
    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!
    PRINT RECIPE SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
    Total Time: 15 minutes mins
    Course: cookies, Dessert, Sweet Treats
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: christmas, cookies, gluten-free, grinch, holiday
    Servings: 18 cookies
    Calories: 168kcal
    Author: Chandice Probst

    Ingredients

    • 17 ounce (1ย box) gluten-free yellow cake mixย  dry
    • 1 box pistachio pudding mix, dry
    • 8 tablespoon butter, softened
    • 2 eggs
    • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
    • 1/4 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 1โ€ 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

    Pro Tip: Any gluten-free cake mix will do but I prefer this easy to find Pillsbury gluten-free yellow cake mix.ย 
    You can make these dairy-free by simply using a dairy-free butter stick and a dairy-free, gluten-free cake mix.ย 
    I love to freeze them and pull just one or two out when I want (I almost put need) them. They only take 15 minutes or so to thaw. Although, I love them cold and a bit frozen.ย 
    Leftovers can be store in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Make sure to let them cool to room temperature before putting them in a container with the lid. Also, keep them in a cool, dry place so the powdered sugar doesn’t get moist.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 194mg | Potassium: 7mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 182IU | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

    This post was originally posted on December 20, 2019 and has since been updated with new information in 2022. Here is the original photo.

    Grinch cookies on a white plate with holiday towel under

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    Chandice of This Vivacious Life

    Hi, I'm Chandice!

    Parties, gatherings, gorgeous food and ESPECIALLY holidays with my people are what make my heart pitter patter. Having a place to share our favorite traditions, recipes and celebrations is very important to me. I live each day with unapologetic, authentic happiness and hope to help others do the same. More About Chandice

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    Comments

    1. Madden Probert says

      December 03, 2023 at 4:13 am

      5 stars
      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!!!!!!

      Reply
    2. Mary Bergland says

      December 19, 2022 at 11:45 am

      Is thia a LARGE or small box of pudding ????

      Reply
      • Chandice says

        December 24, 2022 at 8:21 am

        Small, sorry.

        Reply
    3. Dani says

      November 25, 2022 at 11:44 pm

      5 stars
      These are so cute! Iโ€™m excited to make them with my kids again for Christmas!

      Reply
    4. Crystal says

      December 05, 2021 at 4:11 pm

      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?

      Reply
      • Chandice says

        December 08, 2021 at 4:20 am

        Hey Crystal, they the pudding is Jell-O and the sprinkles are Wilton.

        Reply
        • Crystal says

          December 08, 2021 at 5:52 am

          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

          December 09, 2021 at 7:07 am

          From what I found, they are gluten-free though you are right, not labeled as such.

    5. martutz says

      January 07, 2020 at 3:00 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    5 from 7 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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