Grinch Shortbread Cookies

I received products from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the Christmas Cookies Week recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

"You're a mean one Mr. Grinch....". A favorite holiday character inspires a tasty Christmas cookie- Grinch Shortbread Cookies. A simple, sweet, and buttery recipe with a tinge of green and the Grinch's growing heart.

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas is my favorite holiday movie. I always find myself singing a lot and laughing at The Grinch and his sneaky ways. My boys love the movie as well and we end up watching it numerous times during the holidays. We have watched the different versions of the movie, and we are a strong vote for the original version.

To give a little nod to my favorite holiday movie character I am sharing my recipe for Grinch Shortbread Cookies. These cookies are delightfully easy, and so festive for a cookie exchange or a holiday cookie tray. I use my traditional shortbread base, a bit of green color, and a heart sprinkle for the Grinch's heart when it was still "three sizes too small".

I use my recipe for Peppermint Shortbread Cookies and omit the peppermint to get the base of these cookies. This recipe is so simple, and one of my all-time favorite cookies recipes.

What do you need to make Grinch Shortbread Cookies?

• Unsalted Butter
• Powdered Sugar
• Vanilla
• Salt
• Flour
• Green Gel Food Coloring
• Heart Sprinkles
• Baking Sheet
• Stand Mixer

How do you make Grinch Shortbread Cookies?

{Printable recipe below}

1. Using a stand mixer, cream butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth. 

2. Mixing on low speed, slowly, add flour until combined. Add food coloring and mix to give a green color.

3. Remove dough from mixer and place on parchment paper. Form into a 12- to 14-inch log. It is easier to get a uniform log is you start the dough at one side of the paper, form, and then roll it into a log.  freeze at least 30 minutes or until firm. Note: If you freeze the dough for longer than 30 minutes let it sit for 20-30 minutes so you are able to cut it and get even slices.  If your slices are not even rounds the cookies will not cook evenly.

4. When ready to bake the cookies, preheat oven to 350°F. Cut the shortbread dough into ⅓ -½-inch slices and bake for 12-13 minutes on parchment lined or slip-mat lined baking sheets.

5. Immediately when cookies come out of the oven add a heart sprinkle to each cookie. Transfer to cooling rack.

Frequently Asked Questions

I do not have gel food coloring- can I use regular bottled?

Yes, but you might not get as vibrant green color. The gel tends to give a brighter color.

I am having a hard time cutting the cookies- any tips?

My sure that your dough is not too frozen. If it is it tends to give uneven slices and it hard to slice.

My cookies seem dry- should I be adding more butter or an egg?

No, shortbread is not a moist soft cookie. It is a bit crumbly and very buttery. You do not want to cookies to be too soft. When the cookies first come out of the oven they will be soft, but will set as they cool.

We are fortunate to be working with to sponsors, Adams Extract and Millican Pecan Company. I have worked with both of these companies before, and I can tell you that I was thrilled to use their products again! The products are high quality, and the flavors are wonderful! These two companies are also offering a giveaway for my readers! Check out the details at the bottom of this post.

Check out more delicious cookie recipes!

Hot Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peppermint Shortbread Cookies

Gingerbread Cookies Dipped in White Chocolate

Eggnog Snickerdoodle Cookies

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Grinch Shortbread Cookies

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 12 mins

Freezer Time 30 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 30 cookies

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ½ lb unsalted butter softened at room temperature (2 sticks)
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 ⅓ cups flour
• 3 drops green gel food coloring
• 30 heart shaped sprinkles

Instructions

 

• Using a stand mixer, cream butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
• Mixing on low speed, slowly, add flour until combined. Add food coloring and mix to make the dough green.
• Remove dough from mixer and place on parchment paper. Form into a 12- to 14-inch log. It is easier to get a uniform log is you start the dough at one side of the paper, form, and then roll it into a log. freeze at least 30 minutes or until firm. Note: If you freeze the dough for longer than 30 minutes let it sit for 20-30 minutes so you are able to cut it and get even slices. If your slices are not even rounds the cookies will not cook evenly.
• When ready to bake the cookies, preheat oven to 350°F. Cut the shortbread dough into ⅓ -½-inch slices and bake for 12-13 minutes on parchment lined or slip-mat lined baking sheets.
• Remove cookies from oven and immediately place one heart sprinkle on each cookie while they are soft. Cool on a cooling rack.

Tried this recipe? I'd love to see it! Mention @CheeseCurdInParadise or tag #cheesecurdinparadise on Instagram!

Thank you to Ellen of Family Around the Table and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures for hosting #ChristmasCookies Week! And a huge thank you to our sponsors Adams Extract and Millican Pecan Company for supporting the bloggers and events like Christmas Cookies Week.

Check out today's cookie recipes:

Prize 1 - Millican Pecan Tower of Treats Gift Tins

Originally founded as the West Texas Pecan Nursery in the late 1800's, Millican Pecan is now in 5th generation ownership. Located in San Saba, TX, the family continues the tradition of pecan farming while also branching the business into the online world. The family also enjoys educating people about pecans. One winner will receive The Tower of Treats Gift Tins. The tower includes 3 decorative gift tins stacked on top of each other. The bottom tin includes our 2 lb. Chocolate Pecan Sampler, the middle tin is our Flavored Pecan Sampler and the top tin is a 8 oz. tin of Milk Chocolate Caramillicans (similar to Turtles). An $80 value.

Prize 2 - Adams Extract Prize Pack

Adams traces its beginnings back to Battle Creek, Michigan, when John A. Adams began making and selling his Green Plant Sarsaparilla extract, Adamur, in 1888. In 1905, he moved his family to Beeville, TX. At the time, most vanilla sold to pharmacies and was often labeled “Do not bake or freeze.” John A. Adams' wife yearned for a flavoring that wouldn’t bake or freeze out. He announced that he could produce a better vanilla than the one his wife was currently using. Working with just $6.71 worth of materials on top of an old icebox, John A. Adams discovered the formula he wanted. To test this product, his wife whipped up a cake for the family to try. “John, this is the BEST flavoring I have ever used,” she announced. “Well, that’s old man Adams BEST,” he responded.

Two (2) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. Bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Winners have 24 hours to respond once notified by email, or they forfeit the prize and an alternate winner will be chosen. The #ChristmasCookies bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members living in the household cannot enter or win the giveaway. Entries will be verified. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter giveaway and contest is open only to US residents. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #ChristmasCookies posts or entry. Thank you to our sponsors Millican Pecan Company, and Adams Extracts and Flavorings for providing prizes.

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