Vegan Grinch Heart Sugar Cookies – The Cutest Christmas Treat for Kids

The Magic of Grinch-Themed Christmas Cookies

When Christmas season rolls around, few stories capture hearts quite like How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The classic tale reminds us that love and kindness are what truly make the holidays special — and what better way to celebrate that message than with a batch of Vegan Grinch Heart Sugar Cookies?

These adorable green cookies, each topped with a single red heart, represent the Grinch’s heart that “grew three sizes that day.” They’re soft, chewy, and irresistibly festive. Best of all, they’re 100% plant-based, dairy-free, and egg-free, making them a feel-good treat everyone can enjoy — from little Whos in Whoville to your own kitchen crew.

Whether you’re planning a cookie-decorating party, baking for a school event, or cozying up for a family movie night with The Grinch, this recipe will bring plenty of smiles, laughter, and delicious memories.

💚 Why You’ll Love These Grinch Sugar Cookies

• 🌱 Vegan & Dairy-Free: Made with vegan butter and applesauce — no eggs or milk required.

• 💚 Naturally Green: Use matcha or spinach powder for a festive color without artificial dyes.

• 🍪 Soft & Chewy: Perfectly sweet, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• 🎁 Kid-Friendly Fun: Great for decorating with little helpers or gifting to neighbors.

• 🕒 Quick & Easy: Simple ingredients, minimal chill time, and bakes in under 10 minutes.

Vegan Grinch Heart Sugar Cookies – The Cutest Christmas Treat for Kids

vicky schulte

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Servings 18 cookies

Ingredients

  

• Dry Ingredients
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp matcha powder (for natural green color)

Wet Ingredients

• 3/4 cup organic cane sugar
• 1/2 cup vegan butter (Earth Balance)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tbsp plant-based milk (almond, oat or soy)
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract

Decorations

• Small Red Sprinkles or Candies

Instructions

 

• Preheat Your Oven

  Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps the cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.
• Mix the Dry Ingredients

  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and matcha or spinach powder. Adjust the green tone to your liking — 1 teaspoon for pale green, 2 teaspoons for bold Grinch green.
  
• Cream the Butter and Sugar

  In a large bowl, beat the vegan butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is key to getting that soft sugar-cookie texture. A hand mixer or stand mixer makes this easy.
  
• Add the Wet Ingredients

  Mix in applesauce, plant-based milk, vanilla, and almond extract. The applesauce keeps the cookies moist without using oil.
  
• Combine the Mixtures

  Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir until a soft dough forms — not too sticky, not too dry.If it feels crumbly, add 1–2 teaspoons of extra plant milk. If too wet, sprinkle in a bit more flour.
  
• Chill the Dough

  Wrap the dough in parchment paper or cover the bowl. Chill for 30–45 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape and keeps them from spreading too much during baking.
  
• Roll & Cut

  Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use a round or heart-shaped cutter, or even a tree cutter for fun variations.
  
• Add the Grinch’s Heart

  Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet and gently press a small red heart sprinkle into the center of each one.
• Bake

  Bake for 8–10 minutes or until the edges just begin to set. The centers should still look slightly soft — they’ll firm up as they cool.
  
• Cool & Enjoy

  Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Once cooled, drizzle with vegan royal icing or coconut butter if desired

💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Vegan Sugar Cookies

1. Don’t Overbake!
   Sugar cookies should be soft and chewy, not crisp. Remove them while still pale.

2. Chill Time Matters:
   Chilling prevents spreading and enhances the flavor.

3. Use Natural Coloring:
   Matcha and spinach powder both work beautifully for green coloring — no artificial dyes needed.

4. Want a Healthier Version?

   • Replace vegan butter with ½ cup almond or cashew butter.

   • Use coconut sugar instead of cane sugar.

   • Substitute half the flour with oat flour for extra fiber.

5. Gluten-Free Option:
   Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur.

💚 The Story Behind Grinch Cookies

The idea behind these cookies comes straight from the heart of Whoville. In the beloved story, the Grinch tries to steal Christmas but ends up discovering the power of love and community. The red heart in the center of each cookie symbolizes that transformation — a sweet reminder that even the grumpiest hearts can grow with kindness.

These cookies aren’t just desserts; they’re little edible messages of joy, forgiveness, and fun. Kids love decorating them, and adults can’t help but smile when they see that tiny red heart.

🍽️ How to Serve Grinch Cookies

• Pair with Vegan Grinch Hot Cocoa for a themed holiday treat.

• Add to your Christmas cookie platter alongside gingerbread men and peppermint bark.

• Use them as gift bag treats wrapped in clear cellophane and tied with red ribbon.

• Serve at holiday movie nights while watching The Grinch.

🧊 Storage & Freezing

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

• Freezer: Freeze baked cookies for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

• Dough Freezing: You can also freeze the dough (before baking) for up to 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight.

🎁 Creative Variations

• Grinch Thumbprint Cookies: Press a thumbprint in the center, fill with red jam, and bake.

• Frosted Grinch Cookies: Use green vegan frosting and pipe a red heart with royal icing.

• Grinch Cookie Sandwiches: Layer two cookies with vanilla or peppermint vegan frosting in between.

• Mini Cookie Bites: Make smaller, bite-size versions for snack cups or dessert boards.

• You may also like this recipe:
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• Grinch Marshmallow Pops
• Walnut Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies