Iced Thumbprint Grinch Cookies Recipe
Celebrate the holidays with these festive Iced Thumbprint Grinch Cookies, featuring buttery, tender cookie dough filled with vibrant neon green candy melts and topped with a charming red heart sprinkle. Perfect for any Christmas gathering or holiday party, these delightful treats combine classic thumbprint cookies with a fun Grinch-inspired twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
Decoration
- 12 ounces neon green candy melts
- Large red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line one or two standard baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together the room temperature butter and sugar for about 1 minute until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks, salt, and vanilla extract, then beat again for another minute to incorporate.
- Add Flour and Form Dough: Gradually add the flour to the wet mixture while continuing to mix until the dough becomes crumbly. Then switch to kneading by hand, working the mixture until it forms a cohesive ball.
- Shape Dough Balls: Roll the dough into roughly ½-inch balls, about one tablespoon each, and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about half an inch apart.
- Create Thumbprints: Use your thumb or the back of a ¼ teaspoon to press a deep indentation into the center of each dough ball, creating a well for the candy melts.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the bottoms of the cookies are just lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on the pan to prevent breakage.
- Melt Candy: Place the neon green candy melts in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth and creamy.
- Fill Thumbprints: Transfer the melted candy melts into a frosting bag and cut a small tip off the end. Pipe the melted candy into each cookie’s thumbprint well, filling the center first and then moving in a circular motion to cover the edges evenly.
- Smooth and Decorate: Gently tap each cookie on the counter to flatten and smooth the candy surface. Quickly place a large red heart sprinkle in the center of each melted candy fill.
- Chill and Set: Refrigerate the cookies for about 5 minutes or until the candy filling has hardened. Enjoy your festive Grinch-inspired treats!
Notes
- Use room temperature butter to ensure easy mixing and a smooth dough texture.
- If you don’t have neon green candy melts, green white chocolate chips or colored chocolate melts can be substituted.
- Ensure the cookies are completely cooled before filling to prevent the candy melts from melting or running.
- You can store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For a stronger Grinch theme, consider adding green food coloring to the dough, but it is optional.
