Grinch Heart Sugar Cookies (Print Version)

Soft, green-tinted cookies topped with festive sprinkles and a red heart—great for cheerful occasions.

# Components:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
09 - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

→ Coloring & Decoration

10 - Green gel food coloring
11 - 1/2 cup green sanding sugar or sprinkles
12 - 24 small red heart sprinkles or red candy hearts

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well blended.
02 - In a large bowl, beat softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if used) to the butter mixture; beat until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing only until ingredients are just incorporated.
05 - Add green gel food coloring a few drops at a time, blending until a vibrant green hue is achieved.
06 - Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours, to firm the texture for shaping.
07 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
08 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into round balls, and coat each ball fully with green sanding sugar. Position dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
09 - Gently flatten each dough ball using your palm or the flat bottom of a glass. Press one small red heart sprinkle or candy into the center of each cookie.
10 - Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft. Avoid overbaking to maintain a tender texture.
11 - Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients
  • Cheerful green color brings instant joy
  • Ready in under an hour with minimal effort
  • Easy to decorate for a festive touch
  • Perfect for baking with kids or sharing with friends
02 -
  • Vegetarian-friendly with crowd-pleasing flavor
  • Freezes well for make-ahead convenience
  • Kid-approved and perfect for decorating parties
03 -
  • Room temperature butter is key for the best texture so set it out in advance
  • Try doubling the batch if you want to share (these disappear faster than you think)
  • If your oven runs hot check cookies at the nine-minute mark for perfect softness

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