These festive Grinch Cookies are the perfect holiday treat — buttery, tender, and filled with a delightful burst of raspberry jam. The bright green hue makes them stand out on any cookie tray, while the sweet and tart filling adds the perfect balance of flavor. They’re a fun baking project that captures the spirit of the holidays in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how cheerful and festive these cookies look. The green color instantly brings a holiday vibe, and the raspberry jam center adds just the right amount of sweetness. The almond flour gives a light, crumbly texture that melts in my mouth. They’re easy to make, taste incredible, and always impress family and friends during Christmas gatherings.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of Ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup almond flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Green food coloring
Raspberry jam for filling
Powdered sugar for dusting
Directions
I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large bowl, I cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
I add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
In another bowl, I whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, cinnamon, and sea salt.
I gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms.
I add green food coloring a few drops at a time until the dough turns bright green.
I roll the dough into small balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
I press an indentation into the center of each cookie using my thumb or the back of a spoon.
I bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Then I let them cool slightly.
Once cooled, I spoon raspberry jam into each indentation.
Finally, I dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving.
Servings and Timing
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: Approximately 180 kcal per cookie
Variations
I sometimes replace raspberry jam with strawberry or cherry jam for a different flavor.
For a chocolate twist, I drizzle melted white chocolate over the cookies after dusting with powdered sugar.
To make them gluten-free, I use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
If I prefer a stronger almond flavor, I add a few drops of almond extract to the dough.
Storage/Reheating
I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If I want them to last longer, I refrigerate them for up to 10 days or freeze them for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, I let them come to room temperature — they taste just as fresh. I avoid reheating them to preserve the jam filling.
FAQs
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
I chill the dough for 20–30 minutes before baking to help the cookies hold their shape.
Can I use food gel instead of liquid food coloring?
Yes, I prefer gel food coloring since it provides a vibrant color without adding extra liquid to the dough.
What can I use instead of almond flour?
If I don’t have almond flour, I substitute it with finely ground oats or use extra all-purpose flour.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, I prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance, wrap it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator until I’m ready to bake.
Do I need to sift the powdered sugar before dusting?
I like to sift the powdered sugar for a fine, even layer that looks more professional on the cookies.
Conclusion
These Grinch Cookies are a fun and delicious way to spread holiday cheer. I love how their vibrant green color and sweet jam centers make them stand out on any dessert table. With their soft texture and festive flavor, they’re sure to become a favorite tradition every Christmas season.
These Grinch Cookies are festive, buttery thumbprint-style treats filled with raspberry jam and dusted with powdered sugar. Their vibrant green color and sweet-tart center make them a fun and delicious addition to any holiday cookie platter.
Ingredients
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup almond flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Green food coloring
Raspberry jam (for filling)
Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add egg yolk and vanilla extract; mix until smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, almond flour, cinnamon, and sea salt.
Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Add green food coloring a few drops at a time until desired color is achieved.
Roll dough into small balls and place on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to press an indentation into the center of each ball.
Bake for 12–15 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely.
Spoon raspberry jam into the indentations of each cooled cookie.
Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Chill dough for 20–30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.
Use food gel for more vibrant color without adding excess liquid.
Try different jams like strawberry or cherry for variety.
For gluten-free cookies, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Enhance almond flavor with a few drops of almond extract.
