Name: Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 15.25 ounces white cake mix (432 g); 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 2 teaspoons peppermint extract or mint extract; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; green gel food coloring (enough to achieve desired color); ¼ cup powdered sugar (32 g); 3 tablespoons cornstarch; red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon hearts

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 74 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a festive and fun treat this season, you’re going to absolutely adore this Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe. These Grinch-inspired cookies combine the ease of cake mix baking with the refreshing zing of peppermint, and they come out soft, chewy, and irresistible every single time. I’ve made them for holiday parties and casual cookie swaps alike, and trust me—this recipe wins fans in every room. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through all the tips and tricks so you can nail these charming, minty delights right at home.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Using a white cake mix as the base gives you tender, perfectly textured cookies every time with minimal fuss.
Peppermint Punch: The peppermint extract gives a bright, refreshing flavor that really makes these cookies stand out from typical sweets.
Easy to Customize: From food coloring to sprinkles, you can get creative and tailor these for any holiday or theme.
Perfect Texture Balance: Rolling the dough in powdered sugar + cornstarch keeps these cookies from sticking and adds a delicate crunch to the exterior.

Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies, peppermint cookie recipe, holiday cake mix cookies, easy peppermint cookies, festive minty cookies - The image shows rows of light green cookies on a silver cooling rack, each cookie round and cracked on top with a dusting of white powdered sugar. Each cookie has a small red heart-shaped decoration placed near the center. The cooling rack and cookies sit on a white marbled surface that is smooth and clean. The cookies appear soft and slightly puffy with a delicate texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic behind this Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe lies in how each ingredient plays its part, creating that soft, minty, green delight you’ll want to make again and again. Plus, they’re all pretty easy to get your hands on, which makes this a no-fuss, high-reward baking project.

Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies, peppermint cookie recipe, holiday cake mix cookies, easy peppermint cookies, festive minty cookies - Flat lay of a small mound of fine white cake mix on a simple white ceramic plate, a few tablespoons of pale creamy unsalted butter shaped into a neat pat, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl filled with clear peppermint extract, another small white bowl with smooth vanilla extract, a delicate dollop of bright green gel food coloring on white ceramic, a small white bowl containing pure white powdered sugar, a separate small white bowl with fine white cornstarch, and a scattering of tiny bright red heart-shaped sprinkles arranged artfully on the side, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

White cake mix: The foundation for a tender, fluffy cookie—plus it already has sugar and leavening, which means less measuring and mixing for us!
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps the cookies spread just right; be sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
Eggs: Give structure and moisture—room temperature eggs blend better and keep the dough smooth.
Peppermint extract: The star flavor here—go for authentic peppermint (or mint) extract for that refreshing punch.
Vanilla extract: Just a touch to round out the flavor and add warmth.
Green gel food coloring: Gel colors deliver vibrant hues without thinning your dough like liquid colors can.
Powdered sugar: Works with cornstarch to coat sticky dough balls and creates a soft crust when baked.
Cornstarch: Prevents the powdered sugar from clumping and adds a delicate texture to the cookie’s surface.
Red heart-shaped sprinkles or cinnamon: The festive finishing touch—you can switch these out for any fun sprinkle or candy you like!

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of my favorite things about this Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Whether you’re adjusting flavors or turning these little bites into themed treats, there’s plenty of room to play around and have fun.

Chocolate Peppermint: Adding mini chocolate chips to the batter adds a lovely contrast—the creaminess of chocolate with the cool mint is a classic combo I never get tired of.
Spice it up: If you like a little warmth alongside the mint, a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg stirred into the dough brings a cozy holiday vibe.
Color Variations: Feel free to swap out the green for red or pink food coloring to make these suitable for Valentine’s Day or any occasion.
Gluten-Free Option: Look for a gluten-free white cake mix to make these accessible to more people without sacrificing taste or texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Oven and Prep Ready

First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C)—having it nice and hot from the get-go means your cookies bake evenly. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper so your cookies don’t stick or lose their shape. I’ve made the mistake of skipping parchment before, and the cookies stick and break, so don’t skip this step!

Step 2: Whip Together the Base Dough

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, combine the white cake mix, softened butter, and eggs. Mix until the dough becomes smooth and well combined—about 2-3 minutes. You’ll notice it’s pretty thick and sticky; that’s exactly what you want for these cookies.

Step 3: Add Peppermint and Color

Now stir in peppermint and vanilla extracts. Peppermint is the hero here, so don’t be shy! Adjust the green gel food coloring to get your preferred hue. Gel coloring is best because it gives you that vibrant look without diluting the dough. Mix on low speed just until the color is uniform—you want those luscious green swirls to signal this cookie’s festive soul.

Step 4: Prep the Sugar-Coating

In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and cornstarch. This combo is a little trick I learned to keep your dough from sticking to your hands and gives the cookies a slightly crisp and delicate crust after baking.

Step 5: Scoop, Roll, and Bake

Using a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough. Then roll each ball in the powdered sugar-cornstarch mixture to coat evenly. The dough is sticky, so this step saves you from sticky fingers and helps cookies maintain shape. Set each coated dough ball about 1 inch apart on the baking sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes. You want to see the edges set and the surface look dry but don’t overbake—you’re going for soft and chewy, not hard or crisp.

Step 6: Add the Finishing Touch

Right out of the oven, while the cookies are still warm and soft, press a red heart-shaped sprinkle—or if you prefer, a dash of cinnamon—right into the center of each cookie. This little detail is what turns these from just “good cookies” to adorable, themed treats perfect for parties or gifting.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes so they firm up a bit, then transfer them to a wire rack so they can cool completely. Once cooled, they’re ready to enjoy—or package beautifully for holiday sharing.

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Pro Tips for Making Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Don’t Skip Softening Butter: Butter that’s too cold won’t mix well, making a tougher dough—and that green color can get patchy. I like to soften mine on the counter for at least 30 minutes.
Use Gel Food Coloring: Liquid colors can thin out your dough. Gel ensures vibrant color without altering dough consistency.
Roll Thoroughly in Sugar Mix: This prevents dough from sticking to your hands and gives the cookies a pretty lightly cracked surface every time.
Watch the Bake Time Closely: Overbaking makes them dry. Remember, it’s better to slightly underbake for chewy, tender cookies that keep the peppermint flavor shining.

How to Serve Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies, peppermint cookie recipe, holiday cake mix cookies, easy peppermint cookies, festive minty cookies - A large pile of light green cookies with a soft cracked texture, each topped with a small red heart candy, sits on a white plate in the center. Two smaller white plates in the background hold more of the same cookies. The cookies are dusted lightly with powdered sugar. Around the plates are red and green round Christmas ornaments and a small wooden bowl filled with red candies on a white marbled surface. A white bottle is visible in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love adding a simple red heart sprinkle for that festive “Grinch” look, but you can also sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for an extra peppermint kick. Sometimes I swap cinnamon hearts for a bit of warmth and spice, which my family adores on chilly winter evenings.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk or a warm mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. During holiday gatherings, I serve these alongside an assortment of fresh fruit and cheese for a fun sweet-and-savory balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like arranging these on a bright red platter lined with evergreen sprigs. Another favorite: wrapping them individually in clear cellophane tied with a green ribbon—perfect for gifting or a festive cookie exchange. You can even turn them into sandwich cookies by adding a thin layer of peppermint frosting or cream cheese in between.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

The best way I’ve found to keep these cookies fresh is storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and flavorful for up to 4 days—which is just enough time to enjoy them all (if you can resist!). Keep them away from direct sunlight or heat to prevent fading of that lovely green color.

Freezing

I’ve also had great success freezing these cookies. Just make sure they’re completely cooled, then place them in a single layer inside a freezer-safe ziplock bag or container. They keep well for about 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw them overnight in the fridge or at room temperature, and they come out just as delicious as fresh.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy them warm (and who doesn’t?), pop a few cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This softens them right up and enhances that melt-in-your-mouth feel. Just avoid heating too long or they might get a little too soft.

FAQs

Can I use any cake mix for this recipe?

You can use other cake mixes, but the white cake mix is ideal for this Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe because it offers a neutral base and bright appearance that pairs well with the green color and peppermint flavor. Yellow cake mixes might work but could change the final color and flavor profile.
What if I don’t have peppermint extract?

If peppermint extract isn’t available, mint extract is a good substitute. Just be sure to adjust quantities carefully since mint extract can sometimes be stronger or more bitter.
Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

Yes! You can swap the unsalted butter with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil. Look for dairy-free white cake mixes to keep the recipe fully dairy-free.
How do I prevent cookies from sticking to the baking sheet?

Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This creates a non-stick surface that also helps cookies bake evenly and keeps cleanup easy.
Why do I roll cookie dough balls in powdered sugar and cornstarch?

This mixture prevents the sticky dough from clinging to your hands and cookie scoop, plus it creates a slightly crisp, pretty cracked surface once baked, enhancing the texture.

Final Thoughts

This Green Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is one of those rare finds that blends playful nostalgia, simplicity, and holiday cheer all in one bite. I can’t count how many times I’ve pulled out this recipe when time was tight but I still wanted to wow my friends and family. The way that mint flavor shines through and the lovely green hue make these cookies unforgettable. If you’re looking to bring a little festive magic into your kitchen, I truly recommend giving this recipe a try—you’ll be amazed at how easy and delicious it is, and your loved ones will thank you too!