Make cute and easy Grinch cupcakes that are perfect for Christmas! You’ll make a vanilla cupcake with a delicious green vanilla buttercream and a cute little heart on top.
I’m on a tear this year with cute Christmas desserts, my friends! First there were the Santa cookies, then came the Christmas wreath cupcakes.
WHICH reminded me of Whoville, so then I figured I need to make some Grinch cake mix cookies.
Once you’ve made one Grinch themed dessert? You start going a little crazy. You start to feel everything you bake needs to be green with a red heart.
And why not? Everyone loves the Grinch. So it was time to expand the baked goods from cookies to . . . drum roll . . . Grinch cupcakes!
These easy-to-make cupcakes are a delightful treat, perfect for any occasion. Soft vanilla cupcakes are topped with a rich, creamy buttercream frosting.
The cake is moist, light, and fluffy. No dryness allowed here! These cupcakes will practically melt in your mouth. The flavor is rich but not overpowering.
Then you’ll top these guys with a cute little edible heart. They feel so Grinchy and cute, don’t you think? Your kids are going to love them.
Tips for Making Delicious Cupcakes
Are you looking to make the tastiest cupcakes ever? I’ve got some tips for you. Here’s what I always make sure to pay attention to.
Use Quality Ingredients
Use high-quality, fresh ingredients for the best cupcake flavor and texture. You’ll for sure want to get fresh eggs, good quality butter, and pure vanilla extract (instead of imitation).
Measure Precisely
Flour is the main dry ingredient in these cupcakes. Measure using the scoop-and-level method, as adding too much flour can result in dry cupcakes.
Bring Cold Ingredients to Room Temp
Bring ingredients like butter, eggs, and milk to room temperature before mixing. They will incorporate better, resulting in smoother batter and fluffier cupcakes. They don’t need to be warm; slightly cool to room temp is fine.
Avoid Overmixing
Mix the batter just until ingredients are combined, or the dry disappears into the wet. Overmixing can result in dense cupcakes that are too firm.
Don’t Overfill the Liners
Fill cupcake liners about two-thirds full with batter. This prevents overflow and allows room for the cupcakes to rise.
Watch While Baking
Follow the suggested baking time, but also keep a close eye on your cupcakes. They’re done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
Transfer Immediately After Baking
Transfer the cupcakes to a wire cooling rack immediately after taking them out of the oven. This prevents condensation from forming on the bottom, which can make the cupcakes soggy.
Cool Before Frosting
Ensure the cupcakes are completely cool before frosting. Warm cupcakes can cause the frosting to melt or slide off when applied.
Remember, practicing and experimenting will help you perfect your cupcake baking skills over time. Have fun and enjoy the process of creating delicious baked goods! Here’s what you’re going to need for these easy Grinch cupcakes.
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 3 eggs
OR if you would like to make them from scratch:
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 eggs
Icing
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- Green food coloring
- Red heart sprinkles
Tips and Thoughts for This Recipe
- Add 1/2 cup of cream cheese to the frosting if you want a creamier frosting. Eliminate 1/2 cup of the butter if you add the cream cheese.
- Want to dye the batter green also? I think that would be fun and easy to do since you already have green food coloring for the icing. I’d do a darker green than the icing personally!
- Add peppermint extract to the frosting for a minty flavor. You could make the cupcakes chocolate too (like we did for our Christmas tree cupcakes).
You can store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can freeze the cupcakes for up to 2 months in an airtight freezer container.
When you bring them out, let them come to room temperature as opposed to heating them.
Get the printable recipe for these Christmas cupcakes below!
Grinch Cupcakes
Having a Whoville themed party? This Grinch cupcake recipe is going to be a hit! Plus these are easily customizable.
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces yellow cake mix (1 box)
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 2-3 drops green food coloring
- 24 red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F and line your baking tray with cupcake liners; set aside.
- In a large bowl add the wet ingredients (water, oil, and eggs). Whisk the ingredients until the mixture is combined.
- Slowly add the cake mix to the batter until just incorporated. It's okay if there are a few lumps.
- Scoop out the batter using an ice cream scoop, and fill the liners about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 15-19 minutes. Use a toothpick to insert in the cupcake to make sure it is done and nothing is left on the toothpick. Let the cupcakes cool for 5 minutes in the baking tray before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely while you prepare the frosting.
- In a large bowl add the butter. Beat on medium speed for 3-7 minutes. The longer you beat, the fluffier your frosting will be.
- Add the vanilla extract. Mix for 1-2 minutes on medium speed until fully incorporated.
- Add half of the powdered sugar. Mix on medium speed for 3 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl. Add the remainder of the powdered sugar.
- Add the milk 1 Tablespoon at a time, if needed, to achieve the desired icing consistency.
- Add the green food coloring a toothpick amount at a time. Mix on medium speed. Keep adding more coloring until you reach the green you want to achieve.
- Use any tip for your frosting bag. Fill up the bag with frosting. Pipe the frosting onto the cupcake in a circular motion.
- Add a red heart sprinkle to each cupcake.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1 cupcakeAmount Per Serving: Calories: 313Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 147mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 0gSugar: 30gProtein: 2g
Did you enjoy these cute Christmas treats? Let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these other desserts:
Christmas Rice Krispie Treats • Christmas Tree Brownies • Christmas Tree Cupcakes • Christmas Whoopie Pies • Gingerbread Cupcakes • Hot Cocoa Cupcakes • Marshmallow Pretzel Treats • Mini Santa Strawberries • Wreath Cupcakes