💚 Grinch Snowball Cookies – Buttery, Green & Full of Holiday Cheer!

🎄 A Sweet Holiday Memory

Every Christmas, my kitchen turns into a cookie workshop. But a few years ago, I decided to surprise my nieces with a batch of cookies inspired by their favorite holiday movie The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. 💚

I tinted the dough green, added a red heart candy on top, and watched their eyes light up as they each held up a cookie with a giggle, shouting: “He does have a heart!” Now it’s our yearly tradition these buttery snowball cookies with chocolate chips and a Grinchy green hue are always the first to disappear from the cookie platter.

💚 Why You’ll Love These Cookies

These cookies are fun, festive, and full of holiday spirit!
🎄 Inspired by the Grinch—complete with a red heart!
🍫 Loaded with mini chocolate chips
❄️ Twice rolled in powdered sugar for snowy sweetness
👧 Perfect for baking with kids
🎁 Ideal for cookie boxes or Christmas movie nights

🧰 Tools You’ll Need

• Hand or stand mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Rubber spatula
• 1 tbsp cookie scoop
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
• Baking sheets
• Cooling racks

✨ Key Ingredients

For the Cookies

• 3 cups powdered sugar (divided) – 2 cups for the dough, 1 cup for rolling
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – Rich and buttery base
• 1½ tsp clear vanilla extract – Keeps the green color bright
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour – Gives structure
• 2 tbsp cornstarch – Adds tenderness
• ½ tsp salt – Balances sweetness
• ¼ tsp green liquid food coloring (10–12 drops) – For that perfect Grinchy hue
• 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips – Sweet chocolate in every bite
• 32 red heart sprinkles – The signature Grinch “heart grew three sizes” detail 💕

🍪 How to Make Grinch Snowball Cookies

🧈 Make the Dough

1. Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
2. Sift powdered sugar: Place 2 cups in a bowl for the dough, reserve 1 cup in a second bowl for rolling.
3. Cream butter + 1 cup powdered sugar in a large bowl for 1–2 minutes until light and fluffy.
4. Add vanilla extract and beat 30 seconds more.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt.
6. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.
7. Tint the dough green with food coloring and mix until even.
8. Fold in mini chocolate chips.

❄️ Scoop & Chill

9. Use a 1 tbsp cookie scoop to form balls, rolling them gently in your hands.
   🔟 Place dough balls on baking sheets and chill for 15 minutes.

🔥 Bake & Roll

11. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
12. Bake cookies for 12 minutes—edges should be set but not browned.
13. Cool 10 minutes on the baking sheet.
14. While still warm, roll cookies in reserved powdered sugar.
15. Cool completely for 10–15 more minutes.
16. Roll in powdered sugar again for a snowy finish.
17. Top each cookie with a red heart sprinkle while slightly warm. 💕

💡 Tips for the Best Grinch Cookies

🎨 Use clear vanilla extract to keep that green color bright.
❄️ Chill the dough before baking to prevent spreading.
🧤 Roll the dough while slightly chilled—it holds its shape better.
❤️ Add heart sprinkles while cookies are warm but not hot so they stick without melting.

👩‍🍳 Gemma’s Pro Tips

“Add a dash of almond extract for a nutty twist—or swap in peppermint for an icy holiday feel.”
“These freeze beautifully before or after baking. Just add the sugar coating fresh!”

🧊 Storage Tips

Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Freezer (baked cookies): Freeze without sugar coating up to 3 months. Roll in powdered sugar after thawing.
Freezer (unbaked dough): Freeze dough balls, then bake directly from frozen (add 1 extra minute).

🎁 More Festive Cookies You’ll Love

🍎 Apple Pie Cookies That Taste Just Like Grandma’s Pie!
🍪 Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies – The Classic Everyone Loves
🍋 Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies – The Softest Cookie You’ll Ever Taste

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