Dessert

Grinchy Pull-Apart Cupcakes Recipe

Name: Grinchy Pull-Apart Cupcakes Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (15.25-oz.) box chocolate cake mix, plus required ingredients as per box directions; 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 6 cups powdered sugar; 5 tablespoons heavy cream; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; Yellow food coloring; Red food coloring; Green food coloring; Black gel icing

ByMariam Harutyunyan September 5, 2026September 5, 2026

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Introduction

These Grinchy Pull-Apart Cupcakes are a festive and fun twist on traditional cupcakes, perfect for holiday parties or a whimsical treat. With rich chocolate cake and colorful, creamy frosting arranged to resemble the Grinch’s face and Santa hat, they’re sure to delight both kids and adults.

A large green cookie shaped like a face with two green ears on the sides forms the base layer, covered evenly with green frosting that has a smooth texture with some small waves. On top of the base layer, two round yellow eyes with black outlines and small black circles inside them, and black curved eyebrows are piped to show expression. In the middle, a black outlined stem with a fork at the end forms a mouth and nose. The top part is decorated with a tall red Santa hat frosting layer, smooth and spread evenly, slightly curved to the right. The hat is topped with white piped frosting swirls stacked in a cone shape and a thick white braided frosting band at the base of the hat. The cookie is placed on a white marbled surface with small glass bowls of white and green frosting nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 (15.25-oz.) box chocolate cake mix, plus required ingredients
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, softened

6 cups powdered sugar
5 tablespoons heavy cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Yellow food coloring
Red food coloring
Green food coloring

Black gel icing

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two muffin tins with cupcake liners. Prepare the chocolate cake mix according to the package instructions, then divide the batter evenly among the liners. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely.
Step 2: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until combined. Add heavy cream, vanilla extract, and kosher salt, then continue mixing until the frosting is smooth.

Step 3: Divide the frosting into four portions: scoop about 1 1/2 cups into a medium bowl and tint it red; scoop about 1 cup into another medium bowl and leave it white; place about a tablespoon in a small bowl and tint it yellow; dye the remaining frosting green (this should be the largest portion).
Step 4: Arrange 13 cupcakes in the shape of the Grinch’s face on a serving platter. Dot each cupcake with white frosting. Use green frosting to pipe around the edges of the cupcakes to outline the face, then fill in the center and smooth with an offset spatula.
Step 5: Place 5 cupcakes on top of the face to form Santa’s hat shape. Pipe red frosting around the edges of these cupcakes, then fill in the middle with red frosting and smooth.

Step 6: Decoratively pipe white frosting along the bottom and the tip of Santa’s hat to create the traditional fluffy look.
Step 7: Use yellow frosting to pipe two large dots for the eyes on the face. Finally, draw the facial features using black gel icing to bring the Grinch to life.

Tips & Variations

Use gel food coloring for more vibrant and intense colors without thinning the frosting.

For a fun twist, add peppermint extract to the frosting for a festive flavor.
If you want cleaner decorating lines, chill the cupcakes slightly before piping the frosting.

Storage

Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To serve, bring refrigerated cupcakes to room temperature for about 20 minutes. Avoid freezing, as the frosting texture may change.

How to Serve

The image shows a cake shaped like a character's face with three clear layers of colored frosting. The largest layer is bright green, covering the entire face and ears with a smooth texture. There are two round yellow circles for eyes with black black outlines and details forming eyelashes and pupils. The character's smile and nose are made with thin lines of black frosting. On top of the head is a red Santa hat layer with a rough frosting texture that curves to one side. The hat’s white brim is thick and piped with a fluffy, rope-like pattern. A woman's hand holds a cupcake matching the cake's design with white piped frosting on top. Another woman's hand holds the cake from the side. The cake is placed on a surface with a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cupcakes and make the frosting a day ahead. Keep them refrigerated separately and assemble just before serving to keep the frosting fresh and vibrant.