Name: Grinch Snowball Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted and divided; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1½ teaspoons clear vanilla extract; 2¼ cups all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon liquid green food coloring; 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips; Large red heart sprinkles for garnish

You know those holiday treats that are as much fun to make as they are to eat? That’s exactly what these Grinch Snowball Cookies bring to the table. They have that classic snowball cookie texture—soft and buttery with a melt-in-your-mouth crumb—but with a playful green twist that screams festive cheer. I love serving these at Christmas parties or cozy winter afternoons with a hot cup of cocoa.

What makes this Grinch Snowball Cookies Recipe so special isn’t just the cheerful green color; it’s the surprise of mini chocolate chips tucked inside each bite and the fun red heart sprinkles on top that add a pop of holiday spirit. Plus, it’s a straightforward recipe that feels fancy but comes together without stress, so you can focus on enjoying the baking process. Trust me, you’re going to want to have the powdered sugar ready to dust generously!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Grinch Snowball Cookies Recipe is chosen to create that tender, crumbly cookie you expect, with just the right festive flair. I find that using high-quality butter and fresh powdered sugar really makes a difference—don’t skip sifting the sugar, either; it keeps these cookies beautifully light!

Powdered sugar: Dividing this for mixing and dusting is key to get that classic snowball look and taste.
Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature so the dough blends perfectly without becoming greasy.
Clear vanilla extract: Keeps the cookie’s color bright green instead of tinting it brown like regular vanilla would.
All-purpose flour: The base of your dough, balanced with cornstarch for tenderness.
Cornstarch: Gives these cookies that dreamy melt-in-your-mouth texture we all love in snowballs.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and bring out flavors.
Liquid green food coloring: This is the magic ingredient that turns your snowballs into Grinch green delight.
Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips: Tiny bursts of chocolate that surprise with every bite.
Large red heart sprinkles: Adds the festive final touch and contrast — plus, they’re just plain adorable!

Variations

I like to play around with this Grinch Snowball Cookies Recipe depending on my mood or who I’m baking for. Feel free to make it your own—you can’t really go wrong when you’re working with such a flexible base.

White chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet: I tried this once for a sweeter twist, and it paired wonderfully with the green coloring for a more “grinchy” but creamy flavor.
Dairy-free butter substitute: If you need a vegan or dairy-free version, plant-based butter works well; just watch for slightly different baking times.
Mint extract instead of vanilla: This one’s a fun twist with a cool peppermint vibe that amps up the holiday feel.
Omitting food coloring: If you want the flavor without the green, you’ll get classic snowball cookies, but where’s the fun in that?

How to Make Grinch Snowball Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Start by beating your softened butter with about 1 cup of the powdered sugar using a stand mixer or hand mixer. Don’t rush this step—about 3 to 5 minutes until it’s light, fluffy, and creamy will create the perfect base for tender cookies. Add the clear vanilla extract and your green food coloring next, mixing until the color is evenly dispersed. Seeing that bright green dough pop out of the bowl always makes me smile!

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix Into Dough

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. Then, gradually add these dry ingredients to your butter mixture, mixing slowly just until everything comes together. Overmixing will make your cookies tough, so stop as soon as there’s no visible flour left. Now, fold in those mini chocolate chips gently with a spatula so they don’t break apart.

Step 3: Shape and Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the dough into about 1-inch balls—don’t worry about being perfect, a little rustic charm is part of the appeal here! Place them spaced on a lined baking sheet. I like to gently press a red heart sprinkle on each ball before baking to keep it visible after cooking. Bake for roughly 12-14 minutes. You want the bottoms just starting to turn a light golden brown, but the tops should be soft.

Step 4: Drench in Powdered Sugar

When the cookies come out of the oven, let them cool for about 5-10 minutes until they’re warm but not hot. Then, roll them in the remaining sifted powdered sugar while they’re still soft so the coating sticks beautifully. This is the classic snowball look and keeps them wonderfully sweet right to the last bite.

How to Serve Grinch Snowball Cookies Recipe

The image shows a pile of green round cookies covered unevenly with white powdered sugar, giving a frosty look. Each cookie is decorated with a tiny red heart placed on top. The cookies rest closely together on a white plate with a raised swirl pattern around the edges. The plate is set on a white marbled surface with a blurred background that includes a white cup and some cutlery with red handles, adding a cozy and inviting feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love using large red heart sprinkles on these cookies—it’s a charming little nod to the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes. Plus, the contrast against the green makes everything pop. Sometimes, I dust extra powdered sugar on just before serving for that fresh “snowfall” effect, which kids especially adore.

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect alongside a warm mug of peppermint or classic hot cocoa. I’ve also served them with spiced eggnog for a more adult-friendly pairing at holiday gatherings. Their soft texture and sweet chocolate chips make a great palate cleanser between richer holiday desserts too.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving or parties, I like to arrange these Grinch Snowball Cookies Recipe delights in festive tins with red and green tissue paper. Another fun idea is to stack them in small clear bags tied with red ribbon as adorable stocking stuffers. Sometimes, I even turn them into a little “snowball fight” in a holiday cookie platter—arranging the green balls in heaps with white powdered sugar “snow” scattered all around.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once fully cooled, I store any leftover Grinch Snowball Cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper between each. This helps keep the powdered sugar coating intact and prevents the cookies from sticking together. They usually last about 4-5 days at room temperature, but honestly, they rarely stick around that long in my house!

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead for the holidays, freezing works beautifully. I like to freeze the dough balls before baking, placed on a tray until firm, then transfer them to freezer bags. When you’re ready, just bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time. If you prefer freezing baked cookies, keep them in an airtight container with parchment and thaw at room temperature—they still taste freshly baked!

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked feel, I pop the cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes, which revives their buttery softness without melting the chocolate chips. Avoid microwaving since that can make them too soft or rubbery. Just a little warm-up is all they need.

FAQs

Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of clear vanilla?

You can, but keep in mind that regular vanilla extract has a dark amber color that can tint the green dough to a less vibrant shade. If you’re after bright Grinch green cookies, clear vanilla is your best bet.
How do I make sure the red heart sprinkles don’t melt or lose color?

Press them gently onto the dough balls right before baking, so they stick but don’t get buried. Because bake time is short and temperature moderate, sprinkles usually hold their shape and color nicely. You can also add a few more immediately after baking for extra pop if you want.
What if I don’t have cornstarch? Can I skip it?

Cornstarch is key for that tender crumb and soft texture in snowball cookies. If you skip it, your cookies may turn out a bit more dense and less melt-in-your-mouth. If you don’t have cornstarch, a mix of cake flour with all-purpose flour can be a substitute, but results may vary.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend and add a bit of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already have it. The texture might be a little different but still delicious. Just watch the dough as gluten-free flours absorb moisture differently.
How can I prevent my cookies from spreading too much in the oven?

Make sure your butter is just softened, not melted, and chill the dough balls for 15-20 minutes before baking if your kitchen is warm. This helps keep the dough firm and the cookies nicely shaped during baking.

Final Thoughts

This Grinch Snowball Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it blends nostalgia with a fun holiday twist that everyone can enjoy—kids love the green, and adults appreciate the buttery melt-in-your-mouth magic. It’s one of those recipes I reach for when I want simple ingredients to create something festive and impressive without fuss. Give it a go—you’ll find it’s a wonderfully joyful cookie to bake and share, spreading holiday cheer one snowball at a time.