🎄 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.
Table of Contents
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 ¼ cups (175g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 blend)
- 1 cup (190g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (59ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract (optional but festive!)
- ¼ 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!)
👩🍳 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!
❓ 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!
🥵 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 Recipe: Easy, Festive & Fun Christmas Treats for All Ages
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 1 ¼ 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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