Merry Grinchmas Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Celebrate the holiday season with these Merry Grinchmas Cookies, bright green and bursting with festive cheer. Soft, creamy, and adorned with gummy hearts, they make a delightful treat to share with family and friends.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (Softened)
- 8 oz Cream Cheese (Softened, high-quality)
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (Can substitute with gluten-free blend)
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tsp Green Gel Food Coloring (Use gel to avoid altering dough consistency)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar (For rolling)
- 24 pieces Gummy Hearts (Can substitute with other festive candies)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light in color, about 2-3 minutes.
- Step 2: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and green gel food coloring until well combined and vibrant.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Step 4: Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Step 5: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour.
- Step 6: While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 7: After chilling, scoop out about 1-inch balls of dough and roll each ball in powdered sugar. Place them on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Step 8: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes.
- Step 9: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a gummy heart onto the center of each warm cookie. Let them cool on a wire rack.
Tips & Variations
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
- Use gel food coloring rather than liquid to keep the dough consistency perfect.
- Swap gummy hearts with peppermint candies or colored chocolate chips for different festive looks.
- Chilling the dough longer than an hour can improve the cookie texture and make rolling easier.
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate for up to a week. Warm slightly before serving to soften the gummy centers if desired.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Why use cream cheese in the dough?
Cream cheese adds a rich, tangy flavor and keeps the cookies tender and soft, giving them a unique texture that complements the festive look.
Print
Merry Grinchmas Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate the holidays with Merry Grinchmas Cookies, festive green treats featuring a soft cream cheese dough rolled in powdered sugar and topped with gummy hearts. These buttery, cheerful cookies are perfect for brightening your holiday gatherings and adding a playful touch to your cookie tray.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (Softened)
- 8 oz Cream Cheese (Softened, high-quality)
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (Can substitute with gluten-free blend)
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tsp Green Gel Food Coloring (Use gel to avoid altering dough consistency)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
For Coating and Decoration
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar (For rolling)
- 24 pieces Gummy Hearts (Can substitute with other festive candies)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light in color—about 2-3 minutes. Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and green gel food coloring until the dough is well combined and vibrantly green.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to firm up and make it easier to handle.
- Preheat Oven: While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature before baking.
- Form Cookies: After chilling, scoop out about 1-inch balls of dough and roll each ball in powdered sugar to add a sweet, snowy coating.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the powdered sugar-coated dough balls on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Decorate: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a gummy heart onto the center of each warm cookie so it adheres while cooling.
- Cool: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring to maintain dough consistency without adding extra moisture.
- Refrigeration of the dough is essential to achieve proper texture and prevent spreading.
- Avoid overmixing once flour is added to keep cookies tender.
- Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for gluten-free versions.
- Press the gummy heart onto warm cookies for best results; if the cookie cools, the candy may not stick well.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Dessert/Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Grinchmas cookies, holiday cookies, green cookies, festive treats, cream cheese cookies, Christmas cookies, gummy candy cookies
