February 13, 2023
Review RecipeGrinch Snowball Cookies
Grinch snowball cookies are a delightfully grinchy green cookie with a sweet candy heart on top that will make a festive holiday treat this year.
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These Grinch snowball cookies are the new festive winter treat to love, and we are confident all your little Whos will gobble them up! Soft, fluffy, and coated in a delicious layer of icing sugar, they’re just like classic snowball cookies but with an added grinchy twist.
Grinch Snowball Cookies Ingredients
Grinch snowball cookies are melt-in-your-mouth delicious! These treats start with an incredibly buttery and crumbly cookie base, covered in a delectable powdered sugar coating that only makes these goodies even more scrumptious.
You’ll find the cookie bursting with decadent chocolate chips the minute you take a bite, and the grinchy green color is sure to get you into the holiday spirit.
To make these festive cookies, you’ll need:
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted and divided into 2 cups and 1 cup
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ teaspoons clear vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon (10 to 12 drops) liquid green food coloring (I used McCormick brand)
- 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Garnish: large red heart sprinkles
Substitutions and Additions
FOOD COLORING: I used a liquid food color for this Grinch cookie recipe. If you are using gel food coloring, you will need to start with 2-3 drops and add more gel color to achieve your desired color dough. You will need to note that gel food colors are much more concentrated than liquid ones.
VANILLA EXTRACT: I used clear vanilla extract (also known as clear vanilla flavoring) in this easy recipe because I find that the tint of the cookies stays true when using the clear extract. You can certainly use a standard vanilla extract in this recipe, and it will still be delicious. You may need to add an extra drop or two of the green liquid food coloring to the dough to mask the slight tan color that the darker vanilla extracts can cause.
CHOCOLATE CHIPS: If you do not want the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips in these Grinch snowball cookies, then you can swap them out with chopped walnuts for a more traditional snowball cookie flavor. Both are delicious options.
How to Make This Grinch Snowball Cookies Recipe
Make these Grinch snowball cookies to show off your holiday baking skills! First, you’ll mix together the cookie dough before adding the chocolate chips and green food color to get that amazing Grinch-green hue.
Roll the spoonfuls of dough in between your palms, creating the snowballs. Once baked, roll the cookies in powdered sugar before adding a heart sprinkle for the perfect finishing touch.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
For your softened butter in this recipe, you will want to make sure that it is just at room temperature and not overly soft. You should be able to press your finger into the top of the butter and leave a slight impression, but NOT be able to press your finger all the way through the butter. If your butter is too soft, your cookies will spread too much when baking, and you will not get the desired results for the recipe.
STEP ONE: Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
STEP TWO: Place 2 cups of the sifted powdered sugar in a bowl and set aside.
STEP THREE: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter and 1 cup of the powdered sugar on medium-low speed for 1 to 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
STEP FOUR: Add the vanilla extract and beat for an additional 30 seconds until completely incorporated.
STEP FIVE: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl.
STEP SIX: While your mixer is on low, spoon the flour mixture slowly into the mixing bowl. You will want to allow the flour to be incorporated after each addition before adding more to the mixing bowl.
STEP SEVEN: Once all your flour mixture has been added, increase the mixer speed to medium speed and beat the dough for an additional 30 to 45 seconds to ensure that all the ingredients are fully incorporated and that your dough is light and fluffy.
STEP EIGHT: Add the green liquid food coloring and beat on low until your cookie dough is uniform in color. You can add a couple of extra drops if you want a darker green color for your dough.
STEP NINE: Lastly, mix in the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips just until all the chips are fully incorporated.
STEP TEN: Using a one tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out the dough and roll them into balls in the palm of your hand.
STEP ELEVEN: Place the rolled cookie dough balls onto the prepared cookie sheets and refrigerate the dough balls for 15 minutes.
PRO TIP:
Chilling the dough balls before baking will help minimize any spreading of the cookies so that they keep that nice rounded shape.
STEP TWELVE: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
STEP THIRTEEN: Bake cookies for 12 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.
PRO TIP:
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your cookies as the suggested baking time approaches.
STEP FOURTEEN: Roll each slightly warm cookie gently in the reserved bowl of powdered sugar. Place the coated cookies back on the cookie sheet to continue to cool completely. Once the cookies have cooled completely for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, you will roll each cookie in the powdered sugar for a second coating.
STEP FIFTEEN: Place a large red heart sprinkle onto the top of each powdered sugar-coated Grinch snowball cookie.
How To Serve
This holiday season, these adorable Grinch cookies will make the perfect addition to any cookie exchange or holiday cookie tray. Add our Christmas pinwheels and Christmas sugar cookies for a variety of treats on your tray.
The soft sweetness of these treats pairs especially well with a cup of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. Or consider adding a glass of chilled eggnog to the classic wintertime pairing.
Our peppermint snowball cookies and secret kiss cookies are two variations of these easy Christmas cookies that you will love sinking your teeth into.
MORE COOKIE RECIPES
Storage
ON THE COUNTER: You can store your Grinch snowball cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the cookie dough balls in a freezer-safe zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Label the temperature and baking time right on the bag so that you have the instructions easily accessible.
You can bake your cookies from frozen; however, you will need to add an additional 3 to 5 minutes to your bake time if baking from frozen.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for baking! These Grinch snowball cookies are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. They’re soft, delicious, and full of festive flavor, and best of all, they’re super easy to make. So gather your ingredients and get started!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I have to chill the dough before baking the cookies?
It’s best not to skip the chilling step as it will help give you a more rounded snowball cookie.
Why is my dough crumbly?
If you didn’t measure your flour precisely, you might end up with dry, crumbly cookies. Make sure when you measure the flour, you level it off in the measuring cup.
Can I freeze the cookie dough and bake these cookies later?
The unbaked dough can be frozen for up to two months before you bake and enjoy these delicious cookies.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Candy Cane Kiss Cookies
- Christmas Crunch
- Gingerbread Truffles
- Reindeer Food
- Coconut Snowballs
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Gingerbread Kiss Cookies
Grinch Snowball Cookies
Grinch snowball cookies are a delightfully grinchy green cookie with a sweet candy heart on top that will make a festive holiday treat this year.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Servings 32
Ingredients
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted and divided
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ teaspoons clear vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon liquid green food coloring, (10 to 12 drops) I used McCormick brand
- 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- large red heart sprinkles, for garnish
Instructions
- Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
- Place 2 cups of the sifted powdered sugar in a bowl and set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter and 1 cup of the powdered sugar on medium-low speed for 1 to 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and beat for an additional 30 seconds until completely incorporated.
- Whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl.
- While your mixer is on low, spoon the flour mixture slowly into the mixing bowl. You will want to allow the flour to be incorporated after each addition before adding more to the mixing bowl.
- Once all your flour mixture has been added, increase the mixer speed to medium and beat the dough for an additional 30 to 45 seconds to ensure that all the ingredients are fully incorporated and that your dough is light and fluffy.
- Add the green liquid food coloring and beat on low until your cookie dough is uniform in color. You can add a couple of extra drops if you want a darker green color for your dough.
- Lastly, you will mix in the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips just until all the chips are fully incorporated.
- Using a one tablespoon scoop, scoop out the dough and roll them into balls in the palm of your hand.
- Place the rolled cookie dough balls onto the prepared cookie sheets and refrigerate the dough balls for 15 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Bake for 12 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.
- Roll each slightly warm cookie gently in the reserved bowl of powdered sugar. Place the coated cookies back on the cookie sheet to continue to cool completely. Once the cookies have cooled completely for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, you will roll each cookie in the powdered sugar for a second coating.
- Place a large heart candy onto the top of each powdered sugar-coated Grinch snowball cookie
Notes
- For your softened butter in this recipe, you will want to make sure that it is just at room temperature and not overly soft. You should be able to press your finger into the top of the butter and leave a slight impression, but NOT be able to press your finger all the way through the butter. If your butter is too soft, your cookies will spread too much when baking, and you will not get the desired results for the recipe.
- Chilling the dough balls before baking will help minimize any spreading of the cookies so that they keep that nice rounded shape.
- Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your cookies as the suggested baking time approaches.
Nutrition
Calories: 172kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 181IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
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