Spreading Cheer with Grinch Cupcakes: A Festive Delight for the Holidays
These Grinch cupcakes are so good, they’ll steal your heart, just like the Grinch (but way less grumpy)!
If you are looking for more holiday treats, you should try our; Copycat Crumble Triple Berry Cobbler and Cranberry Layered Cake.
The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than by indulging in the whimsical delight of Grinch Cupcakes? These delightful treats are a festive twist on the classic Christmas character, featuring a rich, moist cupcake base topped with vibrant green frosting that’s sure to make everyone’s heart grow three sizes. Perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, or just a fun baking project with the kids, our Grinch Cupcakes are a delightful addition to your festive repertoire.
Grinch Cupcakes
Why You’ll Love This Grinch Cupcakes
Embrace the holiday spirit with Grinch Cupcakes, a treat that combines deliciousness with a touch of whimsy. Here are two compelling reasons why you’ll fall in love with this recipe:
- Vibrant Visual Appeal: The vivid green color of the frosting, reminiscent of the Grinch himself, adds a playful and eye-catching element to your dessert table. These cupcakes are not only scrumptious but also a festive centerpiece that will capture the attention and admiration of your guests.
- Simple and Fun to Decorate: Whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice in the kitchen, decorating these Grinch Cupcakes is a breeze. Piping the frosting into whimsical peaks and topping each with a red heart sprinkle transforms simple cupcakes into charming little works of art. It’s a fun and creative activity that the whole family can enjoy together during the holiday season.
How to Make the Grinch Cupcakes
Embark on a delightful baking adventure with our Grinch Cupcakes. Grab these easy-to-find ingredients then make this for a stress-free Grinch cupcake and enjoyable experience:
Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Sugar
- Oil
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Green food coloring
For the Frosting:
- Unsalted butter
- Vanilla
- Salt
- Milk
- Powdered sugar
- Green food coloring
- Red heart sprinkles
Instructions:
Preparing the Cupcakes:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line your cupcake pan(s).
- In a stand mixer, cream together softened butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add vanilla and eggs to the mixture, mixing until combined.
- Incorporate flour, baking powder, and salt, ensuring a thorough mix.
- Add milk, oil, and green food coloring, mixing well to achieve the desired shade of green.
- Fill each lined cupcake cavity with batter using a ¼ cup measuring cup or ice cream scoop.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes until edges are golden brown, and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely before decorating.
Creating the Frosting:
- In a stand mixer, combine softened butter, salt, and vanilla.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk, until smooth and fluffy.
- Tint the frosting green by adding a few drops at a time, mixing well between each addition.
- Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
Assembling the Cupcakes:
- Once cooled, pipe a large mound of frosting on each cupcake, starting at the outside edge and spiraling upwards.
- Finish by placing a single large red heart sprinkle at the peak of each frosting mound.
Variations for Grinch Cupcakes
Add a personal touch to your Grinch Cupcakes with these creative variations:
- Peppermint Twist: Mix crushed peppermint candies into the frosting for a delightful minty flavor and a festive crunch.
- Grinchy Grins: Top each cupcake with a fondant Grinch face for an extra dose of holiday charm.
Can You Store or Make Ahead?
Yes, you can! Grinch Cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for 3 months. This makes them a convenient make-ahead option for busy holiday preparations.
Grinch Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tbsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- food coloring green
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp salt
- 3-4 tbsp milk
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- food coloring Green
- sprinkles large, heart, to decorate
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line your cupcake pan(s). Set aside.
For the Cupcakes:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter and sugar. Cream until smooth.
- To the bowl, add in the vanilla and eggs. Mix until combined – scraping down the sides when needed.
- Add in the flour, baking powder, and salt and mix thoroughly.
- Finally, add in the milk, oil, and a few drops of the green food coloring. Mix very well – stopping the machine, scraping down the sides, and mixing again. You can always add a bit more food coloring to achieve the shade of green you want, so only add a few drops at a time and mix well between each addition.
- Using a ¼ cup measuring cup or an ice cream scoop, fill each lined cupcake cavity with enough cake batter to fill them about ⅔ full.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 14-16 minutes or until the edges are beginning to brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside and allow to cool completely before decorating.
For the Frosting:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter, salt, and vanilla. Mix to combine.
- Add in about half of the powdered sugar and combine.
- Add in the remaining powdered sugar and about two tablespoons worth of the milk. Mix on low speed until combined. If the frosting still appears crumbly and dry, add the remaining milk. Whisk on medium/high speed for about a minute to fluff up the frosting until smooth.
- Tint the frosting green – adding just a few drops at a time and mixing well between each addition. Scrape down the sides and the bottom to ensure there are no white spots hiding.
- Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
To Assemble:
- Once the cupcakes are cool, they can be decorated. Pipe a large mound of frosting on each cupcake – starting at the outside edge and circling in a spiral upwards to create a mountain peak. Repeat with the remaining cupcakes.
- Place a single large red heart at the peak of every frosting mound.
Notes
- Cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for 3 months.
- Food coloring will deepen with time, baking, and exposure to air as it dries. When tinting the cupcakes and frosting, keep this in mind—stop adding color when you’re about 2 shades lighter than your goal. As they set/bake, the color will deepen to the desired shade.
Common Questions About Grinch Cupcakes
How do I achieve the perfect green color for the cupcakes and frosting?
When tinting, keep in mind that the color deepens with time, baking, and exposure to air. Stop adding color when you’re about 2 shades lighter than your goal.
Can I make the cupcakes in advance and decorate them later?
Absolutely! Bake the cupcakes ahead and store them in an airtight container. Decorate with frosting and sprinkles just before serving to maintain freshness.
Grinch Cupcakes are a delightful way to infuse the holiday season with color, flavor, and festive fun. Whether you’re a baking enthusiast or a casual home chef, these cupcakes are sure to bring joy and smiles to all who indulge. So, gather your ingredients and let the holiday baking magic begin!
Can’t wait to see your creative Grinch Cupcakes! Show us your masterpieces on social media with #grinchcupcakes and #foodieaholic.
More Holiday Desserts to Try;
Food memories are a big part of our family. We love having a big family party and making great food, or heading to Disneyland and trying all the things. Why not allow food to be a happy part of your life. That is what this blog is about. I hope you enjoy our recipes.
