Grinch Snowball Cookies Recipe

Magical Grinch Snowball Cookies Recipe: Green Holiday Joy!

Mischievous holiday baking with these grinch snowball cookies brings whimsy to your festive spread.

Soft, powdery confections roll with delightful green-tinted charm that catches everyone’s eye.

Kids adore the playful emerald hue reminiscent of the classic character’s grumpy demeanor.

Buttery crumbles melt in your mouth, creating a sweet surprise with each nibble.

Delicate powdered sugar coating adds a magical winter wonderland touch to these delectable treats.

Simple ingredients transform into a nostalgic dessert that sparks childhood memories.

Whip up a batch and watch smiles bloom faster than the grinch’s heart grows.

These cookies promise to steal hearts – not presents!

Tips That Help Grinch Cookies Hold Shape

  • Manage Food Coloring Carefully: Add green food coloring drop by drop to control the intensity and avoid uneven color distribution in the dough.
  • Chill Dough for Perfect Shape: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain the cookies' round shape during baking.
  • Handle Cookies Gently: Use a light touch when rolling cookies and coating with powdered sugar to keep their delicate snowball texture intact.
  • Choose Alternative Decorations: Replace red candy hearts with red royal icing, small red sprinkles, or strawberry fruit leather cut into tiny heart shapes for dietary restrictions.
  • Ensure Even Baking: Use a light-colored baking sheet to prevent bottom of cookies from browning too quickly and maintain their soft, tender texture.

Keep Snowball Cookies Fresh and Sweet

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container, layering between parchment paper, for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Place cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper, and freeze for up to 3 months for longer preservation.
  • Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore their soft texture.
  • Warm cookies briefly in a 300F oven for 3-5 minutes to refresh their soft, crumbly texture and revive their delightful flavor.

Drinks and Treats to Pair with Grinch Cookies

  • Blend rich, creamy hot chocolate with a hint of peppermint to complement the sweet, buttery Grinch cookies. The warm drink echoes the cozy Christmas spirit of the recipe.
  • Mix white chocolate liqueur with vanilla vodka for an adult version, or make a kid-friendly white chocolate milk with green sprinkles to match the Grinch theme. This playful drink enhances the cookie's whimsical character.
  • The cool, minty flavor perfectly balances the powdery sweetness of the snowball cookies. Green ice cream continues the Grinch color scheme and adds a delightful contrast in temperature and texture.
  • Whip up a non-alcoholic green punch using lime sherbet, sprite, and green fruit juice to create a festive beverage that matches the cookie's vibrant color and playful Christmas spirit.
  • Gluten-Free Grinch Cookies: Replace regular flour with almond flour or a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegan Holiday Snowballs: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, and use plant-based powdered sugar to create a dairy-free version of the classic treat.
  • Low-Sugar Green Cookies: Substitute powdered sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining the festive green color.
  • Keto-Friendly Grinch Bites: Use almond flour, replace sugar with erythritol, and incorporate cream cheese to create a low-carb, ketogenic-friendly cookie option.

Grinch Snowball Cookies That Steal the Show

  • Grinch Snowball Cookies
  • Prepare these delightful cookies in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients and minimal cooking skills required.
  • Transform classic snowball cookies into a whimsical Grinch-themed dessert that sparks joy and nostalgia for both kids and adults.
  • Create a vibrant green cookie that captures the spirit of the beloved Dr. Seuss character, perfect for holiday parties and family gatherings.
  • Add a cute red heart topping that instantly transforms ordinary cookies into a magical storytelling treat that brings smiles to everyone's faces.

Colorful Ingredients for Festive Grinch Cookies

Main Ingredients:

Flour Group:- All-Purpose Flour: Base for the cookie structure, provides essential texture and stability.

Butter Group:- Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, tender cookie base with smooth, creamy consistency.

Sugar Group:- Powdered Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create soft, delicate cookie texture.

Flavor and Color Ingredients:

Extract Group:- Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, classic baking flavor that enhances overall taste.

Color Group:- Green Food Coloring: Transforms cookies into Grinch-themed bright green color.

Binding and Texture Ingredients:

Dry Ingredient Group:- Baking Powder, Salt: Helps cookies rise and balances overall flavor profile.

Decoration Group:- Red Candy Hearts, Powdered Sugar: Adds festive Grinch-themed visual appeal and classic snowball coating.

Make Grinch Cookies That Stay Soft and Round

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350F (175C). Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticky situations.

Step 2: Whip Up the Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, cream together:
  • Softened butter
  • Powdered sugar
Blend until silky smooth. Pour in vanilla extract and mix thoroughly. In another bowl, combine:
  • Flour
  • Salt
  • Baking powder

Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a consistent dough forms.

Step 3: Transform the Dough to Grinch Green

Splash in green food coloring and mix vigorously. Aim for a vibrant, eye-catching emerald green that screams Grinch spirit.

Step 4: Shape the Magical Treats

Pinch off small dough portions and roll into cute bite-sized spheres. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet, giving each cookie room to breathe.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the tray into the oven. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden. Cookies should remain soft in the center. Let them rest briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.

Step 6: Sugar Snow Coating

Once completely cooled, tumble cookies in a powdery snow of sugar until they’re completely blanketed.

Step 7: Add the Heartfelt Touch

Crown each cookie with a tiny red heart candy or sprinkle. This symbolizes the Grinch’s transformative moment of compassion.

Print
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Grinch Snowball Cookies Recipe

Grinch Snowball Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Magical Christmas cookie “Grinch Snowball Cookies” bring whimsical holiday cheer with green-tinted, powdered sugar-dusted delights. Crisp almond shortbread melts in your mouth, delivering festive spirit perfect for winter celebrations.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar

Nut & Flavor Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (60g) finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Green food coloring

Finishing Ingredients:

  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Additional powdered sugar (for coating)
  • 2025 red candy hearts (or red M&Ms as a substitute)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and positioning a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent cookie adhesion.
  2. Craft the cookie base by whipping softened butter and powdered sugar until achieving a silky, uniform texture. Incorporate vanilla extract thoroughly, creating a fragrant mixture.
  3. Develop the dry foundation by whisking flour, salt, and baking powder in a separate vessel. Gradually merge these dry components with the butter mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough emerges.
  4. Transform the dough’s appearance by introducing green food coloring, mixing meticulously to create a vibrant emerald hue reminiscent of the Grinch’s iconic color.
  5. Shape the cookies by portioning small clusters of dough and rolling them into uniform spheres approximately 1 inch in diameter. Arrange these green orbs on the prepared baking sheet with sufficient spacing.
  6. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, monitoring until edges adopt a delicate golden tone while maintaining soft centers. Allow initial cooling directly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
  7. Enhance the snowball aesthetic by generously coating completely cooled cookies in powdered sugar, creating a pristine winter-like appearance.
  8. Complete the Grinch-themed treat by adorning each cookie with a playful red candy heart, symbolizing the character’s transformative journey of compassion.

Notes

  • Adjust the green food coloring intensity to create a more vibrant or subtle Grinch-like color, depending on personal preference.
  • Use gel food coloring for a more concentrated and vivid green hue that won’t alter the cookie’s texture.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent sticky hands and ensure more uniform cookie shapes.
  • Experiment with different extracts like peppermint or almond to add a festive twist to the classic vanilla flavor.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
  • Keep cookies uniform in size by using a small cookie scoop or measuring tablespoon for consistent rolling.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Create a fun holiday activity by involving kids in rolling the dough and adding the signature red heart decoration.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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