It's not Christmas without a little Grinch-y mischief, and these Grinch Cupcakes bring all the holiday cheer (without any of the grump)! Bright green, topped with a swirl of frosting, and finished with a sweet little heart. Just like the Grinch's did when it grew three sizes that day! These cupcakes are fun, festive, and guaranteed to make your holiday table a little more magical.
Whether you're baking for a party, classroom treat, or just to enjoy with a mug of cocoa, these cupcakes will put a smile on every face...even the Grinch himself!
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What makes this recipe irresistible
What makes these cupcakes so irresistible? For starters, they're easy! You don't need fancy ingredients or hours in the kitchen to whip them up. The bold green color is pure holiday fun, and the simple heart detail makes them instantly recognizable.
They're soft, fluffy, and sweet with just the right amount of whimsy. Plus, kids (and let's be honest, grown-ups too) love the playful nod to the classic holiday story.
Grinch Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce box red velvet cake mix
- 3.4 ounces box instant chocolate pudding mix
- ½ cup salted butter melted
- 1 cup milk
- 4 eggs
- 32 ounce store-bought cream cheese frosting
- green gel food coloring
- 8 ounces white chocolate chips
- 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Red heart candy sprinkles
Instructions
- Line a cupcake tin with liners, and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl, add cake mix, pudding mix, butter, milk, and eggs. Mix well at medium speed for two minutes.
- Using a cookie scoop, fill the cupcake tin with cake batter to ⅔ full. Do not overfill. Bake for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. (A few crumbs stuck to the toothpick is fine.) Allow to cool completely.
- While the cupcakes are cooling, color the cream cheese frosting by adding a small amount of the green gel food coloring. Mix well until there are no streaks.
- Using a piping bag fitted with a large round tip (1A), add a generous dollop of the green frosting to the center of each cooled cupcake.
- Invert each cupcake onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper; gently press down to spread the icing evenly. (Don't press too hard. We want the icing to cover the top of the cupcake without spreading it too far past the edges.)
- Place the upside cupcakes in the freezer for 15 minutes until the icing is hardened and stiff.
- Once the icing is set, remove cupcakes from the freezer, and gently lift each one from the parchment paper.
- Melt the white chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon oil in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Cook for 30 seconds at a time, stirring between intervals, until the chips are completely melted and smooth. (You may add another tablespoon oil if you would like the chocolate thinner.)
- Add a small amount of the green gel food coloring to the melted white chocolate, and stir well until there are no streaks.
- Using a piping bag with a tiny piece of a corner cut away, drizzle the green chocolate over the tops of the cupcakes. Immediately place a red candy heart onto the melted chocolate.
- Allow to set for 30 minutes or until the chocolate has completely cooled.
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Nutrition
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card for the exact measurements for this recipe.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
A simple buttercream or cream cheese frosting will work great. Do not use a glaze. Of course you can make your own frosting. For that, I would use this recipe.
No worries! Color some of your frosting red and pipe a little red heart onto the cupcakes.
Absolutely, you can make them 2-3 days ahead of time. Refrigerate them unfrosted, or freeze unfrosted cupcakes up to three months. Be sure to place them in an airtight container.
Deb's top tips
Room temperature ingredients matter. Using eggs and butter straight from the fridge can cause lumpy batter-set them out ahead of time for smoother mixing and fluffier cupcakes.
Use gel food coloring. It gives you a brighter, more vibrant green without adding extra liquid to the batter.
Related recipes
If these Grinch Cupcakes have you feeling festive, you'll love my other holiday treats too! Try my colorful Grinch Fudge for a no-bake option. Whip up a batch of Snowman Soup for a cozy drink, or keep the candy fun going with adorable Melted Snowman Cookies. Each one is playful, tasty, and just the thing to spread a little holiday cheer!
Wrapping it up
These cupcakes are proof that holiday baking doesn't have to be complicated to be fun. They're easy to make, adorable to look at, and delicious to eat-basically everything you need in a holiday treat!
So grab your mixing bowl, turn on the Christmas music, and bake up a batch. Don't forget to snap a picture and share it-I'd love to see your cupcakes and how you make them your own!
Sherri Rochester says
I have all of the ingredients save for one and it is on its way from Amazon. The children (and adults) at church are going to love these!!! We have a gift exchange at our last prayer meeting before Christmas. Cookies and goodies are also involved! Love!!
Debra Clark says
Wonderful!! It will be a hit I'm sure Sherri. I bet everyone will really enjoy the treats you make.
Donna says
Love this recipe! My grandchildren would love these.
Debra Clark says
That's awesome! I hope you get to make them together with the kids!
Kesha says
These are so cute! My grandkids love the Grinch and I know they would love these!
I love how easy they are too!
Debra Clark says
Thanks Keesha!! Be sure to check the new Grinch Cupcake YouTube video (and they are even easier!!)
Carol says
These Grinch cupcakes look so good. You had me at red velvet cake mix. My grandkids would love these!!
Debra Clark says
You know I never had Red Velvet until a couple of years ago!! Now it's a favorite!
Karen says
These are an excellent idea for a Grinch Christmas theme party!
Debra Clark says
Thanks Karen, I hope you give them a try!