Landscape photo of Grinch cookie cups arranged on a light marble surface. Each bright green sugar cookie cup is filled with smooth white chocolate ganache and topped with a small red heart sprinkle, with one cookie in sharp focus and the others softly blurred in the background.
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Grinch Cookie Cups

ByCassidy

There’s something about Grinch-themed treats that just instantly puts me in the Christmas mood. They’re playful, they’re colorful, and they’re the kind of dessert that everyone recognizes the moment they walk into the kitchen. These Grinch Cookie Cups are one of those bakes that feel whimsical enough for the holidays but simple enough for a regular December baking day with the kids. The bright green cookie base paired with that single tiny red heart gives all the nostalgic “heart growing three sizes” vibes, and they’re just fun to make.

Landscape photo of Grinch cookie cups arranged on a light marble surface. Each bright green sugar cookie cup is filled with smooth white chocolate ganache and topped with a small red heart sprinkle, with one cookie in sharp focus and the others softly blurred in the background.

Cookie cups are one of my favorite easy desserts because they come together so quickly and bake perfectly in a mini muffin tin, no scoops of frosting to stack or fuss with. For these, I kept the flavors simple with a soft sugar cookie base tinted Grinch green and a smooth, glossy white chocolate ganache filling that sets beautifully. The little dip in the cookie cup holds the ganache perfectly, and they firm up just enough to stay clean and easy to plate. You can also swap the filling or add fun mix-ins depending on what you want your holiday vibe to be.

Helpful Tips & Variations

  • Use gel food coloring for the brightest, cleanest Grinch green. Liquid dye makes the dough too soft.
  • Press the centers while hot. The cookie cups should still be warm when you make the indentation—this keeps the shape clean and even.
  • Let the ganache cool a few minutes before filling so it’s thick enough to sit nicely instead of running over the sides.
  • Buttercream Filling: Swap the ganache for a swirl of white vanilla buttercream and place the heart on the side of the swirl.
  • Candy Cane Kiss Version: Press a Candy Cane Hershey’s Kiss into each cookie cup right when they come out of the oven.

Recipe: Grinch Cookie Cups

Grinch Cookie Cups
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Grinch Cookie Cups

Recipe by CassidyCourse: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

22

Cookie Cups
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking timeminutes
Calories

140

kcal

These Grinch Cookie Cups are adorable, quick, and so festive. Let’s get right into how to make them!

Ingredients

  • Sugar Cookie Cups

  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened

  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional but recommended)

  • 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 tsp baking powder

  • 1/4 tsp salt

  • Green gel food coloring (leaf green or electric green)

  • White Chocolate Ganache

  • 1 cup (170g) white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate

  • 1/3 cup (80ml) heavy cream

  • Topping

  • Red heart edible sprinkles

Directions

  • Cream the butter & sugar. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
  • Add egg & extracts. Mix in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth.
  • Add dry ingredients. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until dough forms.
  • Color the dough green. Add gel food coloring until the dough reaches a Grinch-bright green.
  • Scoop into mini muffin tin. Roll heaping 1-tablespoon balls of dough and place them into a greased mini muffin tin.
  • Bake. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 10–12 minutes, until edges look set but not browned.
  • Indent the centers. Immediately press the center of each cookie cup using a teaspoon or cookie cup tamper. Allow to cool completely in the pan before removing.
  • Make the ganache. Add white chocolate to a bowl. Heat heavy cream until steaming, then pour over chocolate. Let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Cool 5–10 minutes to thicken slightly.
  • Fill the cookie cups. Spoon or pipe the ganache into each cookie cup.
  • Add the heart. While the ganache is still soft, place one red heart sprinkle on top of each cookie.
  • Set. Allow to set at room temperature or refrigerate for 10–15 minutes.

Notes

  • The almond extract makes the cookies taste like a bakery-style sugar cookie, but you can omit it if preferred.
  • If the cookie cups puff up unevenly, press the centers again a few minutes after the first press.
  • For cleaner edges, don’t let the ganache get too warm—slightly thickened is best.

Storage & Freezing Tips

  • Store at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze the baked cookie cups without ganache for up to 2 months. Thaw, then add fresh ganache and heart sprinkles before serving.
  • Freeze dough balls, bake from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to bake time.

More Holiday Baking Recipes

I hope these Grinch Cookie Cups bring a little extra fun and sweetness to your holiday baking this year! If you make them, be sure to tag me over on Instagram @cassandcrumbb or share them on TikTok — I love seeing your creations. Happy baking! 

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