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Grinch Cookies

Grinch cookies are soft green sugar cookies rolled in granulated and powdered sugar for a crackled finish. A red heart-shaped sprinkle on each cookie gives these easy baked treats their festive look.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chilling and resting 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 2 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 140
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cookies
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg large
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.5 tsp green gel food coloring
  • 2.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.25 tsp salt
For the coating and decoration
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup powdered sugar
  • 24 red heart-shaped sprinkles

Equipment

  • 1 mixer
  • 2 baking sheet

Method
 

Make the dough
  1. In a large bowl, beat the butter and 1 cup granulated sugar with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  2. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and green gel food coloring until evenly colored.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then stir the dry mixture into the butter mixture just until a soft dough forms.
  4. Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Shape and bake
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Put the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar in one shallow bowl and the powdered sugar in another.
  3. Scoop the dough into 1 1/2-tablespoon portions, roll each into a ball, coat first in granulated sugar and then generously in powdered sugar, and arrange about 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets.
  4. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cookies are crackled and set at the edges but still soft in the centers.
  5. Immediately press one red heart-shaped sprinkle into each cookie.
  6. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool.

Notes

For the best crackled coating, roll each dough ball generously in powdered sugar after coating it in granulated sugar. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days; freeze yes. Dairy-free butter can be substituted for the unsalted butter.