Grinch’s Heart Blondies
November 10, 2025
Soft, chewy peppermint blondies packed with Grinch-green color, white chocolate, and a holiday crunch.
There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a batch of Grinch’s Heart Blondies. These minty-green bars are soft, chewy, and sprinkled with just enough white chocolate and candy cane crunch to make even the Grinch smile. They’re easy to bake, fun to decorate, and the perfect sweet for a Christmas movie night or classroom treat swap.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright Grinch-green color that pops on any dessert table.
- Soft, chewy texture with melty white chocolate in every bite.
- Festive peppermint flavor that tastes like Christmas.
- Perfect make-ahead treat for parties or movie nights.
- Easy blondie recipe made with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredient Notes
- Butter: Use softened unsalted butter for the best texture and buttery flavor.
- Sugars: A mix of brown and granulated sugar gives these blondies their chewy, caramel-like base.
- Peppermint extract: Adds that signature holiday mint flavor—just a little goes a long way.
- Food coloring: Combine lime and classic green to get that perfect Grinch shade.
- White chocolate chips: Add sweetness and creamy bites throughout.
- Andes Peppermint Crunch or candy canes: Bring in the peppermint crunch and holiday sparkle.
- Heart sprinkles: A fun nod to the Grinch’s growing heart—don’t skip them for the full effect.
Before You Bake
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Nope! This blondie batter can go straight into the pan. Just be sure not to overmix once you add the dry ingredients to keep the bars soft and chewy.
How do I get the perfect Grinch-green color?
Start with a few drops of lime green food coloring, then add a little classic green until you reach that bright “Grinchy” shade. Gel food coloring gives the most vibrant color without thinning the batter.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yes! Double everything and bake in a 9×13 pan. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time, checking around 32–34 minutes.
Grinch Inspired Blondies
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup (1½ sticks) salted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- Green food coloring (mix lime + classic green for best color)
- ¼ cup crushed Andes Peppermint Crunch or candy canes
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips
- ¼ cup Christmas sprinkles
- Heart sprinkles and extra Christmas sprinkles, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9-inch square pan with parchment, leaving an overhang.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. In a large bowl, beat butter and both sugars until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in vanilla, peppermint extract, and eggs one at a time.
- Add dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Tint with green food coloring until you get that Grinchy shade. Fold in crushed peppermint, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles.
- Spread batter evenly in the pan. Top with heart sprinkles and extra festive bits. Bake 26–28 minutes, until edges are golden and the center looks set.
- Cool completely in the pan, then chill for 1 hour for fudgier bars. Slice into squares and serve at room temp.
FAQ
Can I use peppermint bark instead of Andes Peppermint Crunch?
Absolutely. Chop it into small pieces so it melts evenly throughout the blondies.
How should I store Grinch’s Heart Blondies?
Keep them covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. They also freeze beautifully for up to a month.
Can I leave out the peppermint flavor?
Yes! You can swap the peppermint extract for extra vanilla if you prefer a non-minty version.
Why did my blondies turn out dry?
They were likely overbaked. The center should look slightly underdone when you remove them—they’ll firm up as they cool.
Can I make these ahead for a party?
Definitely. Bake them the day before, chill, then slice right before serving for perfect clean edges and a fudgy texture.
Sprinkle of Fun
Turn dessert time into a “Grinch Movie Night!” Bake a batch of these green blondies, then cozy up with How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the Jim Carrey or animated version—your choice). Sip on peppermint hot cocoa topped with whipped cream and a candy cane stirrer.
get access to my weekly recipe updates!
