Jolly Green Grinch Snowball Cookies Recipe for Holiday Fun!

Baking delightful grinch snowball cookies during the holiday season brings out the sweetest cheer.

These whimsical treats capture the playful spirit of the beloved green character with their festive green-tinted dough.

Powdered sugar coats each cookie, creating a magical winter wonderland effect that sparks joy.

The recipe combines simple ingredients with a touch of holiday magic, making them perfect for sharing.

Soft, buttery, and delicately spiced, these cookies melt in your mouth and spread happiness.

Gather your baking tools and let the holiday baking adventure begin—these grinch snowball cookies will steal hearts faster than the grinch stole Christmas.

Serve Grinch Snowball Cookies for Holiday Parties

• Holiday Movie Night Pairing
• Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange the green cookies on a white serving plate with red and green sprinkles scattered around, creating a cheerful Christmas color palette that captures the Grinch's whimsical spirit.
• Kids' Baking Activity: Invite children to help roll the dough into balls and decorate with heart sprinkles, turning cookie making into a fun family bonding moment that sparks creativity and holiday joy.
• Winter Party Treat: Display these playful cookies at holiday gatherings as a conversation-starting dessert that brings smiles and nostalgic memories of the beloved Grinch character.

Store Grinch Cookies So They Stay Sweet and Soft

• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping their delightful texture and flavor intact.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for 2-3 months, ready for spontaneous treat cravings.
• Make cookie dough ahead of time and refrigerate for 24 hours. This technique allows flavors to develop and makes baking day super smooth.
• Separate cookie layers with parchment paper when storing to prevent sticking and maintain their perfect snowball shape. Keep them in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight for maximum freshness.

FAQs

• Why are these cookies called Grinch Snowball Cookies?

The name comes from the iconic green color inspired by the Grinch character from Dr. Seuss’s Christmas story, and the powdered sugar coating that makes them look like snowballs.

• Can I make these cookies without food coloring?

You can, but the vibrant green color is what makes these cookies unique and captures the Grinch theme. If you skip the food coloring, they’ll look like traditional snowball cookies.

• What type of food coloring works best for this recipe?

Gel food coloring is recommended because it provides a more intense color without adding extra liquid to the dough. Liquid food coloring can affect the cookie’s texture.

• How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling and baking. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading in the oven.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 24

Grinch Snowball Cookie Ingredient Breakdown

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy texture and helps cookies hold together smoothly.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates tender, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness and helps achieve soft cookie consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth and enhances overall flavor profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Builds cookie structure and creates delicate, crumbly texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and maintain light, airy consistency.

• Green Food Coloring: Transforms cookies into vibrant Grinch-inspired green shade.
• Powdered Sugar (For Rolling): Creates classic snowball appearance and adds extra sweetness.
• Red Candy Hearts, Mini Heart Sprinkles: Adds festive Grinch-themed decoration and whimsical touch.

Tools for Making Grinch Snowball Cookies at Home

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining butter, sugar, and other ingredients smoothly.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Helps cream butter and sugar to a light, fluffy consistency.
• Separate Mixing Bowl: Used for whisking dry ingredients before combining with wet mixture.
• Baking Sheet: Provides surface for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mat: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without becoming soggy.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Small Spoon or Cookie Scoop: Helps create uniform 1-inch cookie balls.

How to Bake Grinch Snowball Cookies with a Twist

• Whip Up the Base

Cream butter and sugar until silky smooth. Splash in vanilla and blend thoroughly.

• Craft the Dough

Sift flour, salt, and baking powder together. Slowly fold dry ingredients into butter mixture, creating a luscious green cookie foundation.

• Createal Spheres

Pinch off small chunks of dough and roll into adorable little balls. Arrange them on a baking sheet with plenty of breathing room.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide cookies into a toasty 350F oven. Let them transform for 10-12 minutes until edges hint at golden goodness while centers stay tender.

• Cool and Dust

Allow cookies to chill completely. Then lavish them with a snowy powdered sugar coating, transforming them into festive winter treats.

• Add the Grinchy Heart

Crown each cookie with a tiny red heart, symbolizing the Grinch’s heart growing with love and holiday spirit.

Tips for Green Color and Flavor in Snowballs

• Make Your Grinch Snowball Cookies Extraordinary
• Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and create perfectly round cookies with crisp edges.
• Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for more vibrant green color without altering dough consistency and achieving that perfect Grinch hue.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and add 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain cookie texture and structure.
• Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store in refrigerator, or freeze unbaked balls for up to 2 months for instant holiday baking.
• Replace candy hearts with small red fondant hearts, red royal icing details, or red sprinkles for different decorative options that still capture the Grinch's spirit.

Festive Grinch Snowball Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Festive Grinch Snowball Cookies bring holiday cheer with their green-tinted charm and delightful almond flavor. Powdered sugar coating and whimsical design make these treats perfect for Christmas celebrations and delighting guests.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (60 g) finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
• Green food coloring
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
• Additional powdered sugar (for coating)
• 20–25 red candy hearts (or red M&Ms as a substitute)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Setup: Position oven rack in center and warm to 350F (175C), lining baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
2. Butter Blend: Cream butter and powdered sugar until silky smooth, infusing vanilla extract to elevate aromatic complexity, creating a luxurious base mixture.
3. Dry Element Integration: Sift flour, salt, and baking powder together, then gradually fold into butter mixture. Introduce green food coloring, kneading until dough achieves a vibrant emerald consistency reminiscent of the Grinch’s iconic hue.
4. Cookie Formation: Craft uniform spherical clusters approximately 1 inch in diameter, strategically placing each green orb on prepared baking sheet with adequate spacing to ensure even heat distribution.
5. Baking Transformation: Roast cookies for 10-12 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges while maintaining tender centers. Rest initially on baking sheet, then transition to wire rack for complete cooling.
6. Festive Finishing: Lavishly dust completely cooled cookies with powdered sugar, creating a pristine snow-like exterior. Crown each treat with a whimsical red candy heart, symbolizing the Grinch’s heartwarming character evolution.

Notes

• Control Color Intensity: Add green food coloring gradually to achieve the perfect Grinch-inspired emerald shade without altering dough consistency.
• Prevent Cracking: Ensure butter is softened, not melted, to maintain cookie structure and create smooth, crack-free surfaces during baking.
• Achieve Perfect Texture: Roll cookies into uniform size for consistent baking and allow adequate spacing on the baking sheet to prevent spreading.
• Temperature Matters: Cool cookies completely before powdered sugar coating to prevent sugar from melting and ensure a pristine, snowy appearance.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 30mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg