Grinch Cupcakes Recipe

Fun and Festive Grinch Cupcakes are perfect for the holidays. The cupcakes are made with an cake mix and topped with green frosting.

Grinch Cupcakes Recipe:

Making fun and festive holiday desserts really gets us into the holiday spirit. My kids love making Grinch themed treats and this cupcake recipe is one of their favorites. With only a few ingredients these Grinch Cupcakes are easy to make and delicious.

We love using a red velvet cake mix, but you can use any flavor you prefer. It is the perfect cupcake to make while watching your favorite Grinch movie or putting up your tree.

This cupcake is perfect to make for your kids class party or even for your holiday dinner. The green frosting is easily made with simple ingredients. Make sure to add a red heart or red sprinkles for a fun and festive treat.

Ingredients: 

For the Cupcakes:

• Red Velvet Cake Mix 
• Plus the ingredients to prepare the cake mix based on the package instructions
• Red Cupcake Liners

For the Icing:

• Solid Vegetable Shortening
• Butter softened at room temperature
• Clear Vanilla Extract
• Confectioners’ Sugar sifted
• Milk
• Green Gel Food Coloring

For the Decorations:

• Red Heart Sprinkles 

How to Make Grinch Cupcakes: 

• Step 1 – Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare the red velvet cake mix based on the cupcake instructions. Add the cake batter using the red cupcake paper liners in muffin tin. Allow all the cupcakes to cool completely at room temperature.

• Step 2 – In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and butter until combined and smooth.
• Step 3 – Then slowly add in the confectioners’ sugar (1 cup at a time) on low speed until well combined.
• Step 4 – Then stir in the vanilla extract and milk until combined. Then add a few drops of the green food coloring until the frosting is a bright green color.

• Step 5 – Then use a 1M piping tip and a decorator’s bag, fill it with the green frosting.
• Step 6 – Gently frosting each cupcake.  You want to slowly build up the frosting on top of the cupcake using a circular motion.
• Step 7 – Then place a red heart on the top of each cupcake.

• Step 8 – Then the cupcakes are ready to serve and enjoy!

How do you make Grinch Green Icing?

While the red velvet cake is baking, we like to prepare the Grinch Green Icing. It is really what makes this cupcake so fun. The ingredients are simple and easy to prepare.

• Combine together the ½ cups of shortening and butter together. Make sure the butter is at room temperature before mixing.
• Slowly add in the powdered sugar.
• Then stir in the vanilla and milk until combined.
• Add in green food coloring until the color is a bright green.

How to Frost:

We like to use a piping bag to frost the cupcakes. This allows you to easily form a tree on the cupcake. Easily pipe the frosting in a circulation motion with a 1M piping star tip.

Make sure to add the sprinkles and red heart immediately after you frosting. The sprinkles will not stick if the frosting has already fully set.  

Can I make Red Velvet Cake from scratch?

Yes, you can easily make a red velvet cake from scratch. This Red Velvet Cupcake recipe it is easy to make. Mix together the flour mixture – all purpose flour, baking powder baking soda.

Then add in the butter, sugar, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract to easily make this recipe. This cupcake recipe is light and fluffy and one of my favorites.

How to Store Grinch Cupcakes:

Store the leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. 

Can you Freeze Cupcakes?

Yes, you can freeze red velvet cupcakes. Once the cupcakes have cooled to room temperature, wrap them in plastic wrap and foil. The double layering of the cupcakes allows them to stay fresh.

Once you are ready to serve, thaw the cupcakes in the refrigerator overnight. We recommend not frosting if you are going to freeze the cupcakes. Once the cupcakes have thawed, then you can frost.

Tips for Homemade Red Velvet Cupcakes:

• Cookie Scoop – Save time and use a cookie scoop! I have a set of stainless steel cookie scoops that I love and they make baking so much easier. You can order a set here.
• Mixer – You certainly can use a hand mixer but we love our stand mixer with the paddle attachment. It gets a ton of use and to this day is such a good investment. We bake a lot so it is so handy and we love our mixer. 
• Cool Cakes – Make sure the cupcakes are really cool before icing. I use a set of these baking racks and they are great.
• Cupcakes Done – Cupcakes takes about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted to finish cooking.

Print Recipe here for Grinch Cupcakes:

More Easy Grinch Desserts:

• Grinch Truffles Dessert
• Grinch Rice Krispie Treats
• No Bake Grinch Pie
• Grinch Dip Recipe
• Easy Grinch Puppy Chow
• 31 Festive Grinch Desserts

More Christmas Cupcakes:

• Christmas Tree Cupcakes
• Eggnog Cupcakes
• Snowman Cupcakes