Grinch Cookies with Hershey Kiss

This festive Grinch Cookie recipe brings a playful twist to holiday baking by combining a soft sugar cookie dough with a surprise Hershey's Kiss center. These little green bundles are perfect for spreading cheer at any holiday party or for enjoying a nostalgic treat during the Christmas season.

I first made these on a whim for a holiday cookie exchange and they instantly became the most requested treat. Now they always bring smiles when they show up on the dessert table.

Ingredients

• Sugar cookie mix: seventeen and a half ounces — the base for soft and chewy cookies  choose a reliable brand you like for best results
• All-purpose flour: a quarter cup — gives structure to the dough helping it hold shape when baking
• Large egg: one — binds ingredients and adds moisture  use a fresh egg for the best texture
• Unsalted butter: half a cup at room temperature — richness and tender crumb depend on this  soften fully before mixing
• Green gel food coloring: three quarters teaspoon — vibrant color without adding too much liquid  gel works better than liquid
• Hershey's Kisses: eighteen unwrapped — the chocolate heart of the cookie  make sure they are all unwrapped and upright for even melting
• Large heart candy sprinkles: eighteen — festive finishing touch that adds charm and a pop of color

Instructions

Preheat the oven:

to three seventy five degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray a mini muffin pan with baker's spray or line with paper cups and set aside.

Whisk the egg and green gel food coloring:

together in a small bowl until the color is evenly distributed and the mixture is smooth.

Combine ingredients:

In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar cookie mix, all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, and the green egg mixture using a handheld mixer on low speed. Mix for two to three minutes or until everything is fully incorporated resulting in a very thick dough.

Form dough balls:

Scoop out one and a half tablespoons of dough with a one and a half inch cookie scoop, then flatten it into a three-inch disc in the palm of your hand. Place a Hershey's Kiss upright into the center and carefully pull the dough around it, covering it completely, forming a smooth ball.

Arrange and bake:

Place the dough balls carefully into the prepared mini muffin pan ensuring each Kiss remains upright. Bake for ten to twelve minutes. Watch closely to avoid any browning  the cookies are done when the center is set but still soft.

Add sprinkles and cool:

Remove the pan from the oven, immediately place one heart candy sprinkle offset slightly to the right from the center on each cookie cup. Let the cookies cool in the pan for at least ten minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

The green food coloring is my favorite part of this recipe. It creates that iconic Grinch look without affecting the cookie texture or flavor. One Christmas, my kids helped me make these and each chose their favorite heart candy sprinkle color. It turned into a fun little tradition that we look forward to every year.

Storage Tips

Store cooled Grinch Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature and enjoy within five days for maximum freshness. If you want to keep them longer, freezing before baking or after baking works well. Wrap the baked cookies tightly to keep moisture in. Defrost at room temperature.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you cannot find green gel food coloring you can use natural matcha powder but reduce the amount so the dough does not dry out. For the sugar cookie mix, you may substitute with homemade dough but the texture may vary slightly. Butter can be swapped for margarine but expect a slight change in taste and softness.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your Grinch Cookies with a glass of cold milk or hot cocoa to complement the sweet chocolate center. They also look great arranged on a holiday platter with other festive treats like peppermint bark or gingerbread men. Adding a small dollop of whipped cream or frosting adds an extra touch for parties.

This recipe brings joy and festive fun to your holiday gatherings with every bite.

FAQs about Recipes

→ What is the purpose of the green gel food coloring?

The green gel food coloring adds a festive hue to the dough, giving the cookies a vibrant and playful appearance.

→ How do I keep the Hershey’s Kiss upright while baking?

Carefully placing the dough around the Kiss and setting it upright in the mini muffin pan ensures the candy stays centered and upright during baking.

→ Can I use a different type of sugar cookie mix?

Yes, any sugar cookie mix that yields a thick dough works well with this method for molding around the candy center.

→ Why add heart candy sprinkles after baking?

Adding the heart sprinkles post-baking preserves their shape and vibrant color, enhancing the visual appeal.

→ How long should the cookies cool before removing from the pan?

Allow cookies to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes; this helps them set and makes removal easier without breaking.