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The Grinch is a popular character this time of year. There are aisles and aisles of Grinch decorations, sweatshirts, stockings, and sweet treats for the season. There are even Grinch-themed, bright green Christmas trees for those interested in going all out with holiday decorations. What started out as a book by Dr. Seuss has turned into multiple movie versions of the story, as well.

Turn on the television, whip up these fantastic Grinch recipes, and sit to enjoy whatever movie version fits you best. As the weather gets colder and the daylight hours get shorter, take a night or afternoon to stay in and slow down a bit with a good movie and great snacks. (Adults can even add a splash of their favorite indulgent adult beverages to the punch recipe!)

But first, some fun facts about The Grinch:

The story was first published in 1957 as a book by Random House and also appeared in Redbook magazine.

It reminds readers that the true spirit of the holiday is not found in things you can buy.

A popular animated television special was made in 1966, narrated by Boris Karloff.

The Grinch had a small part in the Broadway play Seussical.

A live version of the movie was released in 2000, starring Jim Carrey.

Grinch Popcorn Mix:

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

8 cups popped popcorn

1 cup green candy melts

1/2 cup red and green M&Ms

1/4 cup holiday sprinkles

Instructions:

In a large bowl, drizzle melted green candy over popped popcorn and toss to coat.

Stir in green M&Ms and top with sprinkles.

Grinch Punch

Ingredients:

2 – quart lime sherbet

64 oz green Hawaiian Punch

32 oz pineapple juice

2 liter lemon-lime flavored soda

Red sugar crystals for rim

Mix together the liquid ingredients in a large punch bowl. Add scoops of lime sherbet to the bowl. Stir. Dip the rim of drinking glasses in water, then in the red sugar crystals. Fill the drinking glasses with the punch and enjoy!

Grinch Cake Pops

Ingredients:

1 15.25-ounce package red velvet cake mix

1 cup milk

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1 ½ cups powdered sugar

24 ounces green candy melts

Green sanding sugar

Candy hearts

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325°F. Melt six tablespoons of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Add cake mix, milk, and melted butter to a large bowl and mix on low speed until well blended, about 1 minute. Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. You don’t want to bake this like a conventional cake (you don’t want it to brown). Let cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack and then chill in the fridge for an additional 15 minutes, while you make the cream cheese mixture.

In a medium-sized bowl, using a hand blender, beat cream cheese and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce the speed on the blender to low, and slowly add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Increase the speed to high and continue beating for an additional 1 minute (or until the mixture is nice and fluffy).

Divide the cake in half and crumble one half of it into a large bowl (the remaining half can be frozen for another use).

Fold in the cream cheese mixture.

Using a one tablespoon-sized cookie scoop, make 33 even-sized, rounded balls about 1 inch in size. Place them on a parchment-lined baking tray and allow to chill for 30 minutes in the fridge.

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 18 ounces of the candy melts according to package directions. Place ¼-inch of the stick into the melted candy and then insert it into the end of the cake ball. Repeat with all cake balls.

Quickly dunk the cake pop into the melted candy and lift out, shaking any excess candy from the cake pop, place on a parchment- lined baking tray and repeat the process with the remaining ones.

Once the candy coating has hardened, melt the remaining amount of candy melts and place in a piping bag. Snip the end off and drizzle swirls around the cake pop. While the drizzle is still warm, dust with sanding sugar.

Place cake pops on a baking tray and add the candy heart.

Notes

– Allow your cake balls to properly set once the stick is inserted; otherwise, your cake ball could fall off and end up in your melted candy. If you find your melted candy is too thick for dipping, you can stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil to achieve perfect dipping consistency.

Grinch Cookies

Ingredients:

½ cup butter, softened

1 8oz cream cheese, softened

¼ tsp Vanilla extract

1 Egg

1 15.25oz White Cake Mix

Green food coloring

2 cups confectionery sugar

Red candy heart

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese.

Add in vanilla extract and egg and combine.

Next, add in cake mix and stir until well blended.

Add in about 2-3 drops of green food coloring. Mix until it’s evenly incorporated.

Using a cookie scooper, scoop out the dough and form it into 1” ball.

Drop them into the confectionery sugar and roll them around until coated.

Place them about 2” apart on the baking sheet.

Bake for about 10-13 minutes.

Once it’s out of the oven, place the red heart in the middle of the cookie and let it cool for about 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

              Finally, I leave you with this quotation from the little Cindy Lou Who, showing the Grinch is not always grumpy…

“Don’t forget the Grinch. I know he’s mean and hairy and smelly. His hands might be cold and clammy, but I think he’s actually kinda… sweet.”  — Cindy Lou Who

This was written by our contributing writer, Nina Graue.