If you’re anything like me, holiday baking means getting a little playful in the kitchen—and this Grinch Cookies with M&Ms Recipe is exactly the kind of festive fun you need. Bright green dough, pops of red and green M&Ms, and that perfect chewy texture come together to make a cookie that’s as cheerful as it is delicious. I absolutely love how these turn out—soft, colorful, and impossible not to smile at. Keep reading, because I’m sharing all my tips so you’ll have Grinch Cookies that even the Grinch himself couldn’t resist!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold Holiday Colors: The vibrant green dough pops with festive M&Ms, perfect to brighten any cookie plate.
- Chewy, Soft Texture: These cookies bake up soft and tender—no crunchy edges here—just like a warm holiday hug.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe perfect for even beginner bakers.
- Family Favorite: My kids and friends go crazy for these—perfect for sharing or gifting during the season!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients are pretty classic for cookies, but the secret magic is in the food coloring and, of course, the M&Ms. I usually grab the festive red and green packs to keep these feeling holiday-ready.
- Unsalted butter: Softened at room temp for easy creaming that yields the perfect crumb.
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar helps with a nice, balanced sweetness and texture.
- Eggs: Act as a binder and add richness; make sure they’re fresh.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth that complements the bright colors.
- Bright green food coloring: Use gel or liquid—gel gives a more vibrant color with fewer drops.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your cookie structure.
- Corn starch: This little addition makes cookies incredibly soft and tender.
- Baking powder & baking soda: Together they help your cookies rise just the right amount.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Red and green M&Ms: The stars of the show adding festive color and a little crunch.
Variations
One of the best parts about this Grinch Cookies with M&Ms Recipe is how easy it is to adapt. I love mixing things up depending on what I have on hand or who I’m baking for—there’s plenty of room for creativity here!
- Chocolate Chip Swap: Sometimes I swap the M&Ms with mini chocolate chips or peppermint chips for a different twist—still festive and just as tasty.
- Mint Extract Flavor: For a minty kick, add a half teaspoon of mint extract in place of vanilla; it pairs wonderfully with the green color.
- Gluten-Free Version: I’ve had friends use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend with success—just watch baking times closely.
- Double the M&Ms: If you’re a candy lover like me, feel free to toss in more M&Ms—these cookies can handle it!
How to Make Grinch Cookies with M&Ms Recipe
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy
Start by softening your butter to room temperature—this helps with creaming it with sugar so your dough isn’t dense. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together for about one minute until it looks light and fluffy. You’ll notice the color paler and texture smoother, which sets the stage for soft cookies.
Step 2: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Green Food Coloring
Next, crack in your eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition. Then stir in vanilla extract—the aroma will start filling your kitchen, trust me, it’s magical! Finally, add your bright green food coloring a few drops at a time until you reach that iconic Grinchy green hue. I usually test a tiny bit of dough first to see if it’s bright enough before adding more.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately & Incorporate
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, corn starch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients well upfront ensures even distribution for that perfect consistency. With your mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mix—just until combined to avoid overworking the dough and ending up with tough cookies.
Step 4: Fold in M&Ms and Scoop Dough
Gently fold in most of your red and green M&Ms, saving a handful for topping. This helps keep the candy colors bright on top of each cookie. I like to scoop the dough with a heaping 1½ tablespoon measure, then roll the dough into balls with my hands—this helps achieve a nice round cookie shape every time.
Step 5: Bake and Add Extra M&Ms
Bake your cookies at 350°F for 11 to 13 minutes. You’ll want to remove them when edges are set but centers still look soft—this is key for that chewy texture. When they come out, quickly press your reserved M&Ms on top while the cookies are still warm for that extra festive look. Then, let them cool completely right on the cookie sheet before moving them; trust me on this, it prevents breakage and keeps them soft.
Pro Tips for Making Grinch Cookies with M&Ms Recipe
- Use Gel Food Coloring for Vibrancy: I found gel coloring gives those brilliant, true leafy greens without watering down the dough.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overworking flour can make cookies dry and hard—I stop mixing as soon as ingredients are combined.
- Roll Dough Balls for Uniform Cookies: When you roll dough into balls before baking, you get evenly sized cookies that bake consistently.
- Press M&Ms On Warm Cookies: Adding the candy while still warm locks them in beautifully without cracking or falling off.
How to Serve Grinch Cookies with M&Ms Recipe
Garnishes
I love keeping it simple here—the red and green M&Ms offer enough decoration, but sometimes I lightly dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar for a snowy effect. It’s subtle but adds a lovely festive touch when you’re serving them for holiday parties.
Side Dishes
I usually pair these cookies with a warm cup of peppermint hot chocolate or spiced eggnog—both drinks highlight the holiday vibes and complement the sweetness without overpowering it. If it’s an all-day cookie fest, I also love some fresh fruit slices alongside to balance out the sugar.
Creative Ways to Present
One year, I arranged the Grinch Cookies on a large green platter shaped like a Christmas tree and topped the ‘tree’ with a strawberry star. My kids were blown away—it’s a fun and easy centerpiece idea for holiday gatherings or cookie exchanges that makes these treats the star of the show.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. If you place a slice of bread inside the container, it helps keep the cookies soft and moist. In my experience, they stay fresh up to five days without losing that tender texture.
Freezing
Yes! I freeze these cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, freezing until firm, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag. This way, they don’t stick together. When you want some, thaw at room temp for a few hours—or pop them in the microwave briefly if you want a warm treat.
Reheating
To freshen up chilled cookies, I reheat them in a 300°F oven for 4-5 minutes on a baking sheet—this revives that just-baked softness and warms the M&Ms slightly without melting them completely.
FAQs
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Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of M&Ms in the Grinch Cookies with M&Ms Recipe?
Absolutely! Swapping M&Ms for chocolate chips works well if you want a less colorful but still delicious result. For a festive touch, try mixing in peppermint or white chocolate chips.
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How do I make the green color more vibrant without adding too much food coloring?
Using gel or paste food coloring is key—it’s more concentrated so you get vivid color with only a few drops. Also, slightly yellow butter can dull green, so make sure your butter is pale or unsalted to help the color pop.
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Can I prepare the Grinch Cookies dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough up to 24 hours ahead and keep it refrigerated. Bring it to room temperature before scooping and baking. This resting time actually enhances flavor and texture.
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Why do the cookies need to cool completely on the baking sheet?
Cooling on the baking sheet allows the cookies to firm up gently so they don’t break apart. Moving them too soon can cause them to crumble or lose their chewy texture.
Final Thoughts
This Grinch Cookies with M&Ms Recipe has become my go-to holiday treat because it’s straightforward, festive, and totally delight-inducing. Each batch brings smiles, whether as a quick snack or a gift. I hope you’ll enjoy making these as much as I do — and I’m sure your family will go crazy for them too. So, pull out your mixer, grab those green food coloring drops, and get ready to bake a batch of joyous green cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat!
Print
Grinch Cookies with M&Ms Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Grinch Cookies are soft, colorful sugar cookies swirled with bright green food coloring and studded with red and green M&Ms, making them perfect for holiday celebrations. The combination of luscious butter, sweet sugar, and festive candies creates a delightful treat that is sure to be a hit at any Christmas gathering.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 6 drops bright green food coloring (add more for a greener hue)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon corn starch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Decoration
- 1 1/2 cup red and green M&Ms, plus an additional 1/2 cup for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, combine the softened butter and sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat the mixture on medium speed until it becomes well-combined, light, and fluffy, which should take about 1 minute.
- Add Eggs: Crack the eggs into the bowl, adding them one at a time. Beat well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated into the mixture.
- Add Vanilla and Food Coloring: Stir in the vanilla extract and the bright green food coloring. Mix until the color is evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure they are evenly mixed.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Set your mixer to low speed and gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until the dough is well combined and smooth.
- Fold in M&Ms: Gently fold in 1 1/2 cups of red and green M&Ms, retaining a small amount to press on top of the cookies later if desired.
- Form Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or your hands, drop heaping 1 1/2 tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto the prepared cookie sheet. For a smoother, rounder shape, roll the dough between your palms into balls.
- Bake: Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 11-13 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. While the cookies are still warm, gently press reserved M&Ms onto the tops to decorate.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the cookie sheet before transferring them to a wire rack or serving plate. This helps them set and prevents breakage.
Notes
- For a greener cookie dough, add more drops of green food coloring gradually until your desired shade is reached.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added, to avoid tough cookies.
- Using parchment paper prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a better texture.
- You can substitute M&Ms with other festive candies if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
