Grinch Crinkle Cookies – Amazing Vegan Holiday Treat

There’s something magical about a tray of Grinch Crinkle Cookies glowing bright green against a backdrop of twinkling Christmas lights. They’re soft, chewy, and dusted with powdered sugar that cracks just enough to look like frosty snow. Whether you bake with kids or gift them to neighbors, these cookies promise festive fun in every bite.

Why You’ll Love These Grinch Crinkle Cookies

Festive holiday color and classic crinkle texture

These cookies look straight out of Whoville. Their vivid green hue pops under a snowy white layer of powdered sugar, giving that signature crinkled charm that feels instantly merry.

Simple vegan ingredients with no complicated swaps

You won’t need anything fancy here. A mix of vegan butter, sugar, applesauce, and pantry staples makes a tender dough that’s easy to work with and perfect for plant-based bakers.

Quick prep, minimal chill time, and beginner-friendly method

From start to finish, you’ll have a warm batch ready in under an hour. Just chill the dough for 30 minutes, and it bakes up beautifully crackled in only 10–12 minutes.

Perfect for cookie exchanges, gifting, or kids’ baking

These cookies always steal the show at cookie swaps. Plus, kids love rolling them in sugar and watching the bright green cracks appear as they bake.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt)

Mix together 1½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. This simple base creates the light, chewy structure every crinkle cookie needs.

Wet ingredients (vegan butter, sugar, applesauce, vanilla)

Cream ½ cup vegan butter with 1 cup sugar until fluffy. Stir in ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for rich flavor and smooth consistency.

Coloring and coating (green food coloring, powdered sugar)

Add 1 tablespoon of green food coloring for that iconic Grinch look. Then roll each dough ball in ¼ cup powdered sugar before baking. The sugar coating forms that snowy crinkle pattern.

Yield, prep time, chill time, and bake time integrated naturally here

This recipe makes about 20 cookies. You’ll spend 10 minutes prepping, 30 minutes chilling, and just 10–12 minutes baking. They come out soft, sweet, and full of holiday spirit.

How to Make Grinch Crinkle Cookies Step by Step

Mix the dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside while you prepare the wet mixture.

Cream the butter and sugar

In a larger bowl, beat vegan butter and sugar until creamy and smooth. This step adds air to the dough, creating that soft, chewy bite.

Add applesauce, vanilla, and green coloring

Next, mix in applesauce and vanilla, then add the green food coloring until the color looks vivid and even.

Combine wet and dry to form dough

Gradually stir the dry mixture into the wet until a soft dough forms. It should be thick but pliable.

Chill for the perfect crinkle shape

Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking, ensuring those signature cracks.

Roll in powdered sugar and bake

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls, roll them generously in powdered sugar, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until cracked on top.

Cool completely for best texture

Let the cookies cool on a wire rack before serving. Once cooled, they’ll be soft, chewy, and slightly crisp around the edges.

Each cookie has about 140 calories, 20g carbs, and 7g fat — a sweet treat that’s light enough for seconds.

Expert Tips for Perfect Crinkles

Why chilling the dough matters

Chilling solidifies the fat, giving the cookies their thick, crackly tops instead of flat edges.

Using room-temperature vegan butter

Soft butter mixes evenly with sugar, creating a smoother, more consistent texture.

Getting generous powdered sugar coverage

Roll each dough ball thickly in powdered sugar. It helps the cracks stand out beautifully once baked.

Texture changes when using margarine

You can swap vegan butter for margarine, but expect a slightly softer, less structured cookie.

Variations and Flavor Twists

Add vegan chocolate chips

For a richer flavor, fold in a handful of dairy-free chocolate chips before chilling.

Swap color for themed cookies

Try red or blue food coloring for 4th of July crinkle cookies with colorful flair or pastel shades for spring celebrations.

Use peppermint extract for a minty version

Replace vanilla with peppermint for a cool, festive spin. These pair wonderfully with peppermint bark brownies for festive cookie trays.

Make-ahead dough and freezing options

The dough keeps up to 2 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer. You can also freeze baked cookies for quick holiday gifting.

Serving Ideas for the Holidays

Pairing with warm drinks

These cookies taste amazing with hot cocoa or spiced chai. Their sweetness balances perfectly with cozy winter sips.

Adding to cookie platters or gifting boxes

They brighten any dessert table and make cheerful edible gifts alongside chocolate crinkle cookies for a holiday classic or butter pecan cookies perfect for winter desserts.

More Such Recipes

• lemon crinkle cookies with a tangy twist
• snickerdoodle cookies for cozy baking days
• patriotic sugar cookie bars for holiday gatherings

Conclusion

A short, warm wrap-up

These Grinch Crinkle Cookies bring a little mischief and a lot of joy to the holidays. Their bright color, chewy texture, and simple vegan ingredients make them a festive favorite for all ages. So gather your mixing bowls, put on a Christmas playlist, and share a batch that’s guaranteed to make hearts grow three sizes.

For more festive cookie inspiration, check out my Pinterest or follow along on Facebook.

Print