grinch cupcakes

Grinch Cupcakes Recipe: Easy, Festive & Fun Treats for All Ages

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🎄 Why You’ll Love These Grinch Cupcakes

Hey there, friends! Chef Andrew here, and I’m so excited to share my go-to recipe for Grinch cupcakes—the ultimate Christmas treat that’s equal parts playful and delicious. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, surprising the kiddos, or just craving a festive baking project, these cupcakes are here to make your season brighter.

Here’s why they’re a hit:
✅ Quick & Easy: Ready in 1 hour—no fancy skills needed!
✅ Kid-Friendly: Little hands love adding the M&M eyes and Santa hats.
✅ Customizable: Adjust the peppermint kick or swap colors for a unique twist.
✅ Better Than Store-Bought: Moist, tender cupcakes with a creamy frosting that stays crunchy.

Plus, I’ve added a sneaky Dave Chang-inspired hack (hint: it involves grass piping tips!) to take your decorating game up a notch. Let’s dive in!

🧁 Ingredients for Grinch Cupcakes

(Serves 12 | Prep: 45 mins | Cook: 16 mins)

For the Cupcakes

  • 1 ÂŒ cups (175g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 blend)
  • 1 cup (190g) granulated sugar
  • ÂŒ cup (59ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ÂŒ tsp peppermint extract (optional but festive!)
  • ÂŒ cup (60g) full-fat sour cream
  • ⅔ cup (158ml) milk (any type)
  • Electric Green gel food coloring (I love AmeriColor!)

For the Frosting & Decorations

  • 2 cups (454g) unsalted butter (cold)
  • 8 cups (1kg) powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • Red, black, and white gel food coloring
  • Yellow M&Ms (for the eyes)
  • Lime green cupcake liners (optional but cute!)

đŸ‘©đŸł Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Bake the Cupcakes

A. Mix the Batter

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with festive liners.
  • In a large bowl, whisk sugar, oil, eggs, and extracts until smooth. Stir in sour cream.
  • In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Pro Tip: Tint the milk electric green before adding it to the batter for vibrant color without overmixing!

B. Bake to Perfection

  • Fill liners ⅔ full. Bake 14–16 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Let cool completely. (Patience, friends—warm cupcakes melt frosting!)

2. Whip the Peppermint Buttercream

  • Beat cold butter until fluffy (~5 mins). Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
  • Split frosting into four parts:
    • Green: 90% of the batch (tint with electric green + a dab of yellow).
    • Red, Black, White: Small portions for details.

3. Decorate Like a Pro

A. Pipe the “Grinch Hair”

  • Fit a piping bag with a Wilton 233 grass tip. Starting at the base, pipe upward strokes to create wild, grassy hair.

B. Add the Santa Hat

  • Use a round tip (Wilton 1A) to pipe a red swirl on top. Add a white pompom and trim with white frosting.

C. Final Touches

  • Press halved yellow M&Ms for eyes. Pipe black pupils and eyebrows. 

Pro Decorating Hack: No grass tip? Use a fork to create texture in the frosting!

grinch cupcakes
Steal the Spotlight with These Grinch Cupcakes!** 🧁✹ Bright green, creamy, and oh-so-festive—perfect for holiday parties or cookie swaps! Tag your favorite Dr. Seuss fan below!

❓ FAQs (You Asked, I Answered!)

❓ How long can frosted Grinch cupcakes sit out?

Frosted Grinch cupcakes can safely sit out at room temperature for 2-3 days if stored in an airtight container. However, the M&M eyes may start to bleed color after 24 hours.
Pro Tip: For longer storage, refrigerate them (without decorations) for up to 5 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture!

🎹 How to get vibrant Grinch green icing?

Achieving that iconic Grinch green is easy with gel food coloring (liquid dyes won’t work!). Here’s how:
Start with Electric Green gel (I swear by AmeriColor or Wilton).
Add a tiny dab of yellow gel to avoid a neon hue.
Mix into buttercream gradually—it’s easier to add more than to fix an overly bright shade!
Bonus: Use lime green cupcake liners to amplify the color!

đŸ„”Â What makes cupcakes dry?

Dry cupcakes are often caused by:
Overmixing the batter (develops too much gluten).
Overbaking (set a timer for 14-16 minutes!).
Too much flour (spoon flour into measuring cups; don’t pack!).
Solution: My Grinch cupcake recipe uses sour cream and oil for guaranteed moisture!

⏱ How long do Grinch cupcakes take to bake?

At 350°F (175°C), Grinch cupcakes bake in 14-16 minutes.
Test doneness: Insert a toothpick—if it comes out clean, they’re ready!
Oven variances: Rotate the pan halfway for even baking.

💧 How do you keep cupcakes from sweating?

“Sweaty” cupcakes happen when trapped steam meets cool air. Prevent it by:
Letting cupcakes cool completely before frosting or storing.
Placing a paper towel in the container to absorb moisture.
Avoiding refrigeration unless necessary (buttercream can handle room temp!).

🎁 Serving Suggestions & Holiday Joy

  • Party Perfect: Pair with hot cocoa bombs or Christmas cookies.
  • Kid’s Activity: Set up a decorating station with sprinkles and candies.
  • Gift Idea: Box them up with cellophane and ribbon for neighbors!
grinch cupcakes

Grinch Cupcakes Recipe: Easy, Festive & Fun Christmas Treats for All Ages

Whip up adorable Grinch cupcakes with peppermint frosting, M&M eyes, and festive flair! Perfect for Christmas parties, kid-friendly, and ready in 1 hour. Includes pro tips and FAQs!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 1 minute
Servings 12 People
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Cupcakes

  • 1 Œ  cups   (175g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 blend)
  • 1 cup  (190g) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup  (59ml) vegetable oil
  • 2  large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 tsp  pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp  peppermint extract  (optional but festive!)
  • 1/4 cup  (60g) full-fat sour cream
  • 2/3 cup  (158ml) milk  (any type)
  • Electric Green gel food coloring   (I love AmeriColor!)

For the Frosting & Decorations

  • 2 cups  (454g) unsalted butter (cold)
  • 8 cups  (1kg) powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp  vanilla extract
  • Red, black, and white gel food coloring
  • Yellow M&Ms  (for the eyes)
  • Lime green cupcake liners  (optional but cute!)

Instructions
 

Bake the Cupcakes

    A. Mix the Batter

    • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with festive liners.
    • In a large bowl, whisk sugar, oil, eggs, and extracts until smooth. Stir in sour cream.
    • In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, and salt.
    • Pro Tip: Tint the milk electric green before adding it to the batter for vibrant color without overmixing!

    B. Bake to Perfection

    • Fill liners ⅔ full. Bake 14–16 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
    • Let cool completely. (Patience, friends—warm cupcakes melt frosting!)

     Whip the Peppermint Buttercream

    • Beat cold butter until fluffy (~5 mins). Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
    • Split frosting into four parts:
      Green: 90% of the batch (tint with electric green + a dab of yellow).
      Red, Black, White: Small portions for details.

    Decorate Like a Pro

      A. Pipe the “Grinch Hair”

      • Fit a piping bag with a Wilton 233 grass tip. Starting at the base, pipe upward strokes to create wild, grassy hair.

      B. Add the Santa Hat

      • Use a round tip (Wilton 1A) to pipe a red swirl on top. Add a white pompom and trim with white frosting.

      C. Final Touches

      • Press halved yellow M&Ms for eyes. Pipe black pupils and eyebrows. Voilà—your Grinch is ready to steal Christmas (hearts)!

      📾 Final Thoughts & Let’s Connect!

      There you have it—the ultimate Grinch cupcakes that’ll steal the spotlight at any holiday gathering! I’d love to see your creations. Please contact me in [email protected] for a shoutout.

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