Y’all, these might just be the cutest, most festive cookies you’ll ever make. Grinch Thumbprint Cookies are basically what happens when you take a soft, buttery sugar cookie, add some festive green color, roll them in sparkling sugar, and fill them with a bright red cherry or strawberry jam that represents the Grinch’s heart. They’re adorable, they’re delicious, and they’re so easy that you can make them with kids (though fair warning: you’ll spend more time cleaning up green food coloring than actually baking). Perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or just when you need something cheerful and festive to brighten up December. Plus, they’re way more fun than plain sugar cookies, and everyone loves that little jewel of jam in the center.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Adorable Christmas cookies that everyone recognizes
- Soft, buttery cookie base that melts in your mouth
- That sparkly sugar coating is pure festive magic
- Perfect for cookie exchanges and holiday gifting
- Kid-friendly and fun to make together
- Make-ahead friendly for holiday baking marathons
- Simple ingredients but impressive results
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the Cookie Base:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional but adds depth)
- Green gel food coloring (the gel kind works best)
For Rolling:
- 1/2 cup green sanding sugar or green sparkling sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar mixed with green food coloring (if you can’t find green sugar)
For the Centers:
- 1/2 cup strawberry jam or cherry preserves
- Or red candy hearts (the cinnamon kind)
- Or red M&Ms
- Or red jelly beans
For Extra Grinch Vibes (Optional):
- Red heart sprinkles for decorating
- White chocolate, melted, for drizzling
- Extra red candies
Let’s Do This
Step 1: Mix the Dry Squad
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Set aside — nothing exciting here yet, but it’s necessary.
Step 2: Cream That Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
This incorporates air for a tender cookie texture — don’t rush it.
Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
Step 3: Add That Grinch Green
Add green gel food coloring gradually until you get that perfect Grinch green color.
Start with a small amount and add more until it’s as green as you want.
The dough will be lighter than the baked cookies, so go a bit darker.
Mix until the color is evenly distributed throughout.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
Don’t overmix or your cookies will be tough.
The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 days).
Step 5: Prep for Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Place green sanding sugar in a shallow bowl for rolling.
Step 6: Shape Those Cookies
Scoop dough into 1-inch balls (about 1 tablespoon each).
Roll each ball in the green sanding sugar until completely coated.
Place on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
Use your thumb (or the back of a 1/2 teaspoon) to make a deep indentation in each cookie center.
Really press down — the indentation needs to be deep enough to hold the jam!
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers still look slightly underdone.
Don’t overbake — they’ll firm up as they cool.
Remove from oven and immediately re-press the indentations if they puffed up during baking.
Step 8: Fill Those Hearts
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
While still warm, fill each thumbprint with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
Or press a red candy heart or M&M into the center.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 9: Optional Decoration
Once completely cool, drizzle with melted white chocolate if desired.
Add extra heart sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet.
Let everything set before serving or storing.
Serving Suggestions
Arrange on a festive platter with other Christmas cookies.
Perfect for cookie swaps — everyone loves these!
Package in clear cellophane bags tied with red ribbon for gifts.
Serve with hot cocoa or eggnog for peak holiday vibes.
Switch It Up
Different Jams: Try raspberry, cranberry, or even lemon curd for the centers.
Candy Centers: Use any red candy you like — cinnamon hearts, red hots, or gumdrops.
White Chocolate Grinch: Make the cookies with white chocolate chips mixed in.
Mint Flavor: Add 1/2 tsp peppermint extract for minty Grinch cookies.
Rainbow: Make different colored batches for a Whoville cookie platter.
Make-Ahead Magic
Cookie dough can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated, or frozen for 3 months.
Baked unfilled cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.
Fill cookies with jam just before serving for the freshest look.
Filled cookies keep at room temperature for 5 days or can be frozen for 1 month.
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel? A: Gel works better because it doesn’t change the dough consistency, but liquid will work — just use less and be prepared for slightly softer dough.
Q: My thumbprints keep filling in during baking — help! A: Make deeper indentations and re-press them immediately when they come out of the oven while still hot.
Q: What if I can’t find green sanding sugar? A: Mix regular white sugar with a few drops of green food coloring and let it dry. Or skip the sugar coating entirely.
Q: Can I make these without almond extract? A: Absolutely! Just use 1 extra teaspoon of vanilla instead.
Q: My cookies are too hard — what went wrong? A: Probably overbaked. They should look slightly underdone when you take them out. They firm up as they cool.
Q: How do I store these cookies? A: In an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Print
Grinch Thumbprint Cookies
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 36–40 cookies 1x
Description
Y’all, these might just be the cutest, most festive cookies you’ll ever make. Grinch Thumbprint Cookies are basically what happens when you take a soft, buttery sugar cookie, add some festive green color, roll them in sparkling sugar, and fill them with a bright red cherry or strawberry jam that represents the Grinch’s heart. They’re adorable, they’re delicious, and they’re so easy that you can make them with kids (though fair warning: you’ll spend more time cleaning up green food coloring than actually baking). Perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or just when you need something cheerful and festive to brighten up December. Plus, they’re way more fun than plain sugar cookies, and everyone loves that little jewel of jam in the center.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Base:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional but adds depth)
- Green gel food coloring (the gel kind works best)
For Rolling:
- 1/2 cup green sanding sugar or green sparkling sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar mixed with green food coloring (if you can’t find green sugar)
For the Centers:
- 1/2 cup strawberry jam or cherry preserves
- Or red candy hearts (the cinnamon kind)
- Or red M&Ms
- Or red jelly beans
For Extra Grinch Vibes (Optional):
- Red heart sprinkles for decorating
- White chocolate, melted, for drizzling
- Extra red candies
Instructions
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Set aside — nothing exciting here yet, but it’s necessary.
In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
This incorporates air for a tender cookie texture — don’t rush it.
Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
Add green gel food coloring gradually until you get that perfect Grinch green color.
Start with a small amount and add more until it’s as green as you want.
The dough will be lighter than the baked cookies, so go a bit darker.
Mix until the color is evenly distributed throughout.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
Don’t overmix or your cookies will be tough.
The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 days).
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Place green sanding sugar in a shallow bowl for rolling.
Scoop dough into 1-inch balls (about 1 tablespoon each).
Roll each ball in the green sanding sugar until completely coated.
Place on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
Use your thumb (or the back of a 1/2 teaspoon) to make a deep indentation in each cookie center.
Really press down — the indentation needs to be deep enough to hold the jam!
Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers still look slightly underdone.
Don’t overbake — they’ll firm up as they cool.
Remove from oven and immediately re-press the indentations if they puffed up during baking.
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
While still warm, fill each thumbprint with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
Or press a red candy heart or M&M into the center.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once completely cool, drizzle with melted white chocolate if desired.
Add extra heart sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet.
Let everything set before serving or storing.
Notes
Arrange on a festive platter with other Christmas cookies.
Perfect for cookie swaps — everyone loves these!
Package in clear cellophane bags tied with red ribbon for gifts.
Serve with hot cocoa or eggnog for peak holiday vibes.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~80 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~11g
- Protein: ~1g