Grinch Cookies

Grinch Cookies are a great way to add color and whimsy to your holiday cookie platter. Just a simple sugar cookie dough tossed in green sanding sugar and topped with a single read heart. Cute, festive, and delicious!

Grinch Cookies

Ingredients

·       ½ cup butter, softened

·       ¾ cup sugar

·       1 egg

·       1 tsp vanilla bean paste

·       ¼ tsp almond extract

·       8-12 drops green food gel

·       1 ½ cup flour

·       1 tsp baking powder

·       ¼ tsp baking soda

·       ¼ tsp salt

·       Green sanding sugar

·       Red heart sprinkles

Cream together the butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat in the egg, vanilla bean paste, and almond extract. Stir in green food gel to achieve desired color.

Scrape down the side of the bowl. Sprinkle over the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined. Overmixing will yield tough cookies.

Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap. Form the dough into a log and wrap tightly in the plastic. Chill for at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Using a small cookie scoop, spoon dollops of the dough onto greased cookie sheetpans. Ensure the dough balls are each about 2 inches apart. Roll the cookie dough balls in green sanding sugar and return to the sheetpan. Top each cookie with a heart sprinkle.

Bake for about 12-14 minutes until the edges are very pale golden brown and the centers are set. Allow the cookies to cool on the pans.

Once completely cool, store at room temperature in an airtight container.

Makes 18 cookies

Gluten Free Friendly!

I had greatest success with Cup4Cup gluten free flour blend.