The most easy cookie of them all is here today for my third (#3) day of easy “25 Days of Christmas Bakes!”. With my Easy Cake Mix Grinch Heart Cookies, even the Grinchiest of them all will have their heart grow two sizes bigger at first bite.

You see what I did there, right? 😉

If not, maybe a fun evening of either reading the book or watching the movie, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” watch party is in order! The Grinch is bright green and his heart grows a few sizes larger when he learns the true meaning of Christmas.

Now to the cookies!

How to make cake mix cookies

Its no secret that I love to use cake mixes with my Doctored Cake Mix Recipes, as well as here and there in a few different treats here on Baking with Blondie. They are fun way to have your dry ingredients pre-measured, and can be a fun quick way to get a bake out of the oven in no time with tasty results.

For these cake mix cookies, you ignore the directions on the back of the package and create your own recipe using the cake mix! This time, we’re adding in a couple simple ingredients, and then changing up the process to make these into a cookie, instead of a cake like the directions call for.

Ingredients for cake mix cookies

You only need a handful! It’s so so easy. Let’s check out what we have for these cookies:

  1. Eggs – You only need two. I always use large eggs. These can be used right out of the fridge.
  2. Vegetable oil – You only need about 1/3 cup! I wouldn’t suggest using canola oil or anything to sub here.
  3. Cake Mix – I used a Duncan Hines White Cake Mix for this recipe. You can try similar brands, but I typically prefer the taste and texture of DH brand for my bakes.
  4. Green Gel Coloring – Here’s the one I used. I prefer the Americolor Gels for this type of bake.
  5. Powdered Sugar & Cornstarch – The cake mix was designed to spread thin for cake layers. This is just an extra insurance that they keep their shape, but also add that fun snowed-on look for the cookie. Perfect for the Grinch theme!
  6. Heart Sprinkles – they need to be big! I used the Sweet Tooth Fairy Brand, but these are very similar instead.

Chill out

I usually shy away from cookies that require chilling. It’s just another step and adds on more time to the cookies I’m making! UGH. But I’m telling you – these only need 20 minutes of chilling – they’ll roll out much easier and keep their cute little shape in the oven better, too. So just mix the dough up, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and place the whole bowl into the fridge for 20 minutes while you catch up on IG or throw those dishes into the dishwasher while you wait. It goes by pretty fast, so I’ll allow the chilling step this time :).

How to make perfectly round cookies

Cookies tend to have a mind of their own sometimes in the oven, so it’s nice to know we have some insurance in case they go a little rogue in shape!

After baking, simply use a large circle cookie cutter, or a large mug/bowl, and use it in a circular motion around each cookie to create a uniform shape. There’s a video below that shows this process at the end.

The taste of these cookies is pretty sweet, so if you have a sweet tooth in your house, these will be right up your alley. They have that classic cake mix taste and look so fun and festive in Grinch green and red heart!

These cookies also like to get toasty! As you can see in the background, some of them got a little golden in the oven. That was from an extra minute! So set the timer for a little less, and then watch them bake right up until they’re baked through, but not brown.

These are perfect to dunk in hot cocoa or milk, and give away to friends and family around the holidays. Make sure to store them in an airtight container for maximum freshness, and maybe save a cookie or two for Santa :).

VIDEO OF THE PROCESS:

I’d love to see your Grinch Heart Cookies! Make sure to tag me, @bakingwithblondie on Instagram, Tiktok, or Youtube so I can join in on all the fun.

Happy Baking!

xo,

Mandy

Get the Recipe: Easy Cake Mix Grinch Heart Cookies

Such a fun and festive cookie! Using a simple cake mix, a little green gel coloring, and darling heart sprinkles, even the Grinchiest person's heart will grow a couple sizes bigger with a plate of these around the holidays!
Servings: 18 cookies
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a Review

Ingredients
 

  • 2 whole large eggs
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 15.25oz box White Cake Mix, I prefer Duncan Hines
  • 1-2 drops Leaf Green food coloring gel
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • large heart sprinkles , I found mine from Sweet Tooth Fairy

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prep a cookie sheet with a sheet of parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the eggs, oil, vanilla, cake mix, and green gel coloring. Don't overmix! Place in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to firm.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch.
  • With a small cookie scoop, scoop the green cookie dough into a ball, roll it in your hands, then roll it in the powdered sugar + cornstarch mixture. Place onto a cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining dough (I fit about 12-15 on one sheet, but make sure to space them out about 4 inches).
  • Use the bottom of a flat measuring spoon or cup and flatten the top of the cookies VERY slightly (just a little). Then place on a single heart sprinkle on top.
  • Bake for 7-9 minutes until they are still a little gooey, but not turning brown yet (I had a batch sit in for about 1 minute too long and got a little toasty!). Let cool on the cookie sheet for 30 seconds, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.