Grinch Brownies Recipe

Festive Grinch Brownies Recipe: Green Holiday Magic in Every Bite

Dark chocolate meets festive cheer in these wickedly delicious Grinch brownies that promise to steal hearts faster than the beloved character steals Christmas.

Layers of rich, fudgy chocolate create a decadent base for vibrant green frosting that adds a playful twist to this classic dessert.

The contrast between deep cocoa and bright emerald green makes these brownies a showstopper at any holiday gathering.

Creamy, smooth frosting swirls across the top, creating a whimsical treat that captures the spirit of the season.

Every bite delivers a perfect balance of chocolatey indulgence and festive fun.

Bakers of all skill levels can whip up these delightful squares that are sure to bring smiles and holiday cheer to the table.

Embrace the mischievous magic of the Grinch with this irresistible dessert that transforms an ordinary brownie into a celebration of sweet nostalgia.

Grinch Brownies Sweet Treat Appeal

  • Dive into Festive Baking: Create a whimsical holiday dessert that brings the Grinch's spirit to life with a playful green frosting and Oreo cookie crunch.
  • Customize with Ease: Swap sprinkles or adjust green color intensity to match your personal holiday mood, making this recipe super flexible for home bakers.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, or a fun weekend baking project that guarantees smiles and delicious memories.
  • Kid-Friendly Cooking: Involves simple steps that children can help with, like crushing Oreos or adding sprinkles, turning baking into a memorable family activity.

What Goes Into Grinch Brownies

Main Ingredients:
  • Flour: A key dry ingredient that provides structure to the brownie base.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the brownies.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the batter.
  • Butter: Creates a rich, tender texture and enhances the overall flavor.
  • Oreo Cookies: Adds a delightful crunch and cookies-and-cream twist to the brownies.
Sugar and Sweeteners:
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and contribute to the brownie's moist texture.
Frosting and Decoration Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese, Butter: Form the creamy base of the green Grinch-themed frosting.
  • Powdered Sugar: Gives smoothness and sweetness to the frosting.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the frosting.
  • Green Food Coloring: Creates the iconic Grinch-green frosting color.
  • Heart Sprinkles: Adds a festive and playful decorative touch to the brownies.
Baking Essentials:
  • Salt: Balances and enhances the sweet flavors in the brownie.
  • Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking of the brownies.

Making Grinch Brownies Easily

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 350°F.

Grab an 8×8 inch baking pan and line it completely with parchment paper, ensuring edges are covered for easy removal.

Step 2: Create Wet Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, crack eggs and whisk until well blended.

Pour in melted butter, white and brown sugars, and vanilla extract.

Stir until the mixture looks smooth and glossy.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, sift together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Salt

Gently mix these dry components until evenly distributed.

Step 4: Craft Brownie Batter

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture.

Stir carefully until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep brownies tender.

Step 5: Incorporate Oreo Surprise

Grab a stack of Oreo cookies and slice each into four equal pieces.

Gently fold cookie chunks into batter.

Transfer entire mixture into prepared pan, spreading evenly.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide pan into preheated oven.

Bake for 25-28 minutes.

Check doneness by ensuring center looks fudgy but not liquid.

Remove and let cool completely for about one hour.

Step 7: Whip Up Grinch Frosting

In a clean bowl, blend:
  • Cream cheese
  • Softened butter

Beat until silky smooth.

Add vanilla extract and vibrant green food coloring.

Gradually mix in powdered sugar until frosting reaches desired consistency.

Step 8: Decorate with Festive Flair

Once brownies have cooled, spread green frosting across surface.

Sprinkle with additional Oreo pieces and heart-shaped sprinkles for a whimsical Grinch-inspired touch.

Step 9: Chill and Set

Place decorated brownies in refrigerator for 1-2 hours.

This helps frosting firm up and flavors meld together.

Slice into squares and serve.

Pro Tips for Grinch Brownies Success

  • Use a sharp knife to cut Oreos into clean, even quarters for consistent texture throughout brownies.
  • Stir dry and wet ingredients just until combined to keep brownies tender and fudgy.
  • Add green food coloring gradually to achieve the exact Grinch-inspired shade without changing frosting consistency.
  • Check brownies at 25 minutes and remove when center is slightly underbaked for maximum moisture and richness.
  • Let brownies cool completely and refrigerate to help frosting set, ensuring neat and professional-looking cuts.

Fun Grinch Brownies Variations

  • Candy Cane Cocoa Brownies: Replace Oreos with crushed candy canes, add peppermint extract to frosting for a festive winter flavor.
  • Nutty Chocolate Crunch Brownies: Swap Oreos with chopped walnuts or pecans, sprinkle extra nuts on top for added texture and richness.
  • Gluten-Free Green Brownies: Use gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour, ensure all ingredients are gluten-free, maintain the same green color and Grinch theme.
  • Vegan Chocolate Dream Brownies: Replace eggs with flax eggs, use vegan butter, swap cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese alternative, keep green food coloring and overall recipe structure.

Serving Grinch Brownies with Flair

  • Festive Movie Night: Serve these Grinch Brownies during a holiday movie marathon with friends and family, creating a whimsical dessert experience that matches the cheerful theme.
  • Holiday Party Showstopper: Arrange brownies on a decorative platter with extra heart sprinkles and green garnishes to make a stunning dessert centerpiece that will wow guests at seasonal gatherings.
  • Grinch-Themed Gift: Package individual brownies in clear treat bags with green ribbons, perfect for sharing with neighbors, teachers, or as sweet homemade presents during Christmas season.
  • Kid-Friendly Baking Activity: Invite children to help decorate the brownies, letting them sprinkle hearts and crush Oreos, turning baking into a fun and memorable family bonding moment.

Storage for Grinch Brownies

  • Store brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to prevent drying out.
  • Wrap individual brownies or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Keep brownies at room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon. Place in a covered container away from direct sunlight to maintain freshness.
  • Place a paper towel in the storage container to absorb excess moisture and keep the brownies' texture perfect.

FAQs

  • Can I make these brownies without Oreos?

Yes, you can skip Oreos or substitute with chocolate chips or nuts for similar texture and crunch.

  • How do I know when the brownies are perfectly baked?

Check by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter or completely clean.

  • What green food coloring works best for the frosting?

Gel food coloring provides the most vibrant green color without thinning the frosting’s consistency. Liquid coloring can work but might require less liquid.

  • Are these brownies good for kids' parties?

Absolutely! The Grinch theme and bright green frosting make them super fun for holiday parties or children’s celebrations.

Print
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Grinch Brownies Recipe

Grinch Brownies Recipe


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4.6 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 48 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Festive holiday spirit meets chocolate delight in these playful Grinch brownies, designed to steal hearts with their whimsical green and red color scheme. Bakers can create a merry dessert that celebrates Christmas cheer and brings smiles to family gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113 grams) salted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) white sugar
  • 15 mint Oreo cookies
  • 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups (150 grams) powdered sugar

Flavoring and Decorative Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup (57 grams) salted butter, softened
  • Green gel food coloring
  • 5 mint Oreo cookies, for topping
  • 2 teaspoons red heart sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8 inch baking pan by lining with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy removal.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk eggs until well blended, then incorporate melted butter, granulated and brown sugars, and vanilla extract, creating a smooth wet mixture.
  3. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt, ensuring no lumps remain for a consistent dry base.
  4. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing to maintain brownie texture.
  5. Roughly chop Oreo cookies into quarter-sized pieces, then delicately fold into the batter, distributing evenly throughout the mixture.
  6. Transfer batter into prepared pan, spreading smoothly and evenly to ensure uniform baking.
  7. Bake for 25-28 minutes, checking for a fudgy center that’s set but not completely dry. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely for approximately one hour.
  8. Prepare frosting by blending cream cheese and butter until silky, then incorporate vanilla extract, green food coloring, and powdered sugar, whisking until achieving a vibrant, smooth consistency.
  9. Once brownies have cooled, generously spread green frosting across the surface, creating an even layer.
  10. Garnish with additional chopped Oreo pieces and festive heart-shaped sprinkles for a whimsical Grinch-themed presentation.
  11. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow frosting to set firmly before cutting into squares.

Notes

  • Ensure Oreos are evenly distributed throughout the batter to create delightful cookie chunks in every bite.
  • Use room temperature cream cheese and butter for a smoother, lump-free frosting that spreads easily.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free Oreo-style cookies.
  • Adjust food coloring intensity to achieve the perfect Grinch-green shade, remembering that color deepens slightly as frosting sets.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 28 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 17 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Nathaniel Brooks

Nathaniel Brooks

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Culinary storytelling

Education

Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, IN
Culinary Arts / Hospitality Administration & Events
Focused on hands-on training in classical and modern culinary techniques. ​


Nathaniel’s story starts in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where farm stands, backyard gardens, and old family recipes shaped his love for real food. After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, he spent years working in farm-to-table kitchens, learning how to turn local, seasonal ingredients into something memorable.
Today, Nathaniel pours that same spirit into every single recipe on Aspiring Culinarian – recipes that feel real, comforting, and connected to the land. When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him foraging wild herbs, chasing sunsets with his camera, or writing about the flavors that shaped his roots.

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