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)
- 20–25 red candy hearts (or red M&Ms as a substitute)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and positioning a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent cookie adhesion.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Enhance the snowball aesthetic by generously coating completely cooled cookies in powdered sugar, creating a pristine winter-like appearance.
- 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