Grinch Cupcakes

Grinch Cupcakes are bright, festive treats with soft cherry chip vanilla cake and smooth cream cheese frosting on top. Their neon green color and little red candy heart make them perfect for Christmas celebrations.

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This post was last updated 11/2025.

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Shopping list:

• all purpose flour
• baking powder
• salt
• unsalted butter
• granulated sugar
• eggs
• neon green gel food dye
• vanilla extract
• buttermilk
• cherry chips
• butter
• cream cheese
• powdered sugar
• large red heart sprinkles

If you’re as obsessed with all things Grinch as we are, these Grinch Cupcakes are an absolute must for the holidays! The cupcakes are soft, sweet, and full of cherry vanilla flavor, topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting that’s both rich and tangy. That bright neon green color and little candy heart on top give them the perfect festive touch, fun, whimsical, and totally Grinch approved!

We had so much fun making these one snowy weekend, blasting Christmas music and watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas while we baked. I even let Ella help mix the batter (and sneak a few candy hearts, of course!). We’ve made them both with and without the cherry chips, without them, the cupcakes turn out extra fluffy and light. I also love that this recipe uses regular all purpose flour instead of cake flour since I don’t bake cupcakes often and prefer using pantry staples. These cheerful cupcakes are always a hit at Christmas parties, and honestly, they disappear faster than the Grinch can steal Christmas!

Need some more fun Grinch inspired recipes for the holidays? Check out my Grinch Strawberries or Grinch Haystack Cookies!

We love fun and colorful cupcakes at our house! These Rainbow Cupcakes or Lemon Cupcakes are both so good!

Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe 💙

Recipe tips and substitution ideas:

• If you don't have buttermilk, make your own. Add 1/2 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice to a liquid measuring cup. Fill with milk to the 1/2 cup line. Stir and set aside for 5 minutes before using.

• We prefer using cherry chips, but if you can't find them, red candy melts also work. Chop them up and if you still want cherry flavor, add some cherry extract to the batter! Or if you prefer plain cupcakes, skip altogether. Almond extract is a great substitute for vanilla in this recipe.

• Cake mix also works for these cupcakes instead of this homemade cake recipe. Just follow the instructions on the package, then add cherry chips and food coloring. Frost with my homemade cream cheese frosting!

Our favorite kitchen equipment and supplies used with this recipe:

• NutriChef Muffin Pans for Baking
• OXO Good Grips 7-Piece Nesting Measuring Beaker Set
• Wilton Standard Cupcake Liners
• Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer with Whisk
• Piping Bags and Tips Set 

Yield 12 cupcakes

Author Hot Eats and Cool Reads

Prep time

10 Min

Cook time

15 Min

Inactive time

10 Min

Total time

35 Min

Grinch Cupcakes

These Grinch Cupcakes are fluffy, fun, and bursting with sweet holiday flavor. Topped with creamy frosting and a signature candy heart, they’re a hit with both kids and adults at any Christmas party.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• neon green gel food dye
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• ½ cup cherry chips
• Frosting:
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• neon green gel food dye
• large red heart sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar for about 4-5 minutes, or until nice and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the green food dye and vanilla. Beat to combine. (add food dye until you reach your desired color or skip if you prefer)
5. Add the flour mixture in thirds alternating with the buttermilk, mixing to combine with each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix until just smooth.
6. Gently mix in the cherry chips until combined.
7. Divide the batter evenly into a 12 count lined muffin or cupcake pan, filling about 2/3 full.
8. Bake for about 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let them cool completely to room temperature before frosting.
9. While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the frosting.
10. In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until well combined and smooth.
11. Slowly add 1 cup of powdered sugar at a time, then add vanilla and beat until creamy. Add the food dye and mix until you reach your desired color.
12. Add the frosting to a piping bag with your favorite piping tip, then pipe the frosting onto your cupcakes by starting from the outside and making a nonstop circular motion until you reach the middle.
13. Top each cupcake with a large red heart sprinkle to the side.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

570

Fat

29 g

Sat. Fat

16 g

Carbs

45 g

Fiber

0 g

Net carbs

44 g

Sugar

33 g

Protein

31 g

Sodium

448 mg

Cholesterol

280 mg

Hot Eats and Cool Reads is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you try from this blog/website. You may not always have the same results I do due to variations in ingredients, humidity, altitude, cooking temperatures, typos, errors, omissions, or individual cooking abilities. 

You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual's dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual.

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