Grinch Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting
User Reviews
5
Grinch Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting
Description
Grinch Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting combine traditional vanilla cupcake ingredients—flour, sugar, eggs, butter—with peppermint extract for a holiday twist. A blend of baking powder and baking soda helps the cupcakes rise evenly, resulting in a light and tender crumb. The frosting uses a large quantity of butter and powdered sugar, whipped with peppermint and vanilla extracts along with heavy cream to create a smooth, fluffy topping. These decadent frosting layers enhance the cool peppermint flavor throughout.
After baking and cooling, each cupcake is decorated with a peppermint frosting swirl and topped with a pretzel stick dipped in green candy melts and sprinkled with sugar and heart sprinkles, forming whimsical "Whoville trees." This creative garnish adds a crunchy texture and festive visual appeal fitting for Christmas celebrations.
The recipe is detailed with instructions for proper mixing, baking times, and cooling to get the best texture. While the peppermint creates a distinct flavor, the classic vanilla cupcake structure ensures balance. These cupcakes are ideal for holiday parties or as a fun seasonal treat.
Decorations can be prepared in advance, but it's recommended to add the pretzel toppers just before serving to maintain their crispness. Storage advice includes keeping cupcakes in airtight containers to avoid drying out, and instructions are provided for freezing both frosted and unfrosted cupcakes to extend shelf life.
Ingredients
For the cupcakes
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 egg
- 1 1/2 cups sugar granulated white
- 1 cup butter 2 sticks) softened, unsalted
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup milk
For the Peppermint Frosting
- 2 cups butter 4 sticks) softened, unsalted
- 9 cups powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon peppermint extract
- 1/2 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
For the Whoville trees
- 24 pretzel sticks
- 12 ounces green candy melts
- green sugar sprinkles
- heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line your muffin tins with paper liners and set aside.
- To make the cupcakes, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs and white granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add in 2 sticks of softened butter, 3 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon peppermint extract and mix well. Next add in the milk and mix until combined.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir by hand until just combined. Fill the muffin tins ½ to ¾ full with the batter.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool the Grinch Cupcakes completely on a wire rack before frosting and decorating.
- To make the peppermint frosting, beat the 4 sticks of softened butter over medium speed with an electric mixer until soft and creamy. Continue to beat over medium speed as you gradually add the powdered sugar. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed to fully incorporate all of the sugar.
- Once the butter and sugar have come together, add the peppermint extract and vanilla extract. Beat in the heavy cream or milk, a little at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Next add a few drops of the neon green food coloring and mix to combine. Add a little bit at a time until the right amount of Grinch green is achieved.
- Add the frosting to a large ziplock bag or piping bag fitted with a round piping tip. If using a ziplock bag, cut off a small corner at the bottom. Pipe the cupcakes in an upwards swirl pattern. Dust with the green sugar sprinkles and heart sprinkles.
- To make your Whoville Tree toppers, lay out a piece of parchment paper on a large baking sheet and place 24 pretzel sticks on it, spaced apart. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the green candy melts in 30 second intervals until melted and smooth, stirring after each interval.
- Fill a small ziploc bag with the melted green candy melts and snip off a very small corner. Pipe a tree across the pretzels by going in a back and forth motion and curving at the top. Place a heart sprinkle on the tip of each one and allow these to harden. You can also place them in the refrigerator to speed up the setting time.
- When completely hardened and ready to serve, stick your Whoville trees in the top of each cupcake. Enjoy!
Notes
- Add red and green sprinkles to the cupcake batter for extra festive color.
- Use peppermint mocha creamer as a substitute for heavy cream or milk in the frosting for a coffee-flavored variation.
- Heart sprinkles for decoration can be sourced from stores like Walmart, Michael's, Jo-Ann's, or Amazon.
- Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to avoid drying out; refrigeration is not recommended.
- Wait to add the pretzel "Whoville tree" toppers until just before serving to keep them crisp.
- Freeze cooled unfrosted cupcakes in a ziplock bag for up to three months.
- For freezing frosted cupcakes, chill first to set frosting, then wrap individually and freeze for up to three months; thaw at room temperature before serving and add toppers afterward.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 531 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 531kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 73g | 24% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 90mg | 30% |
| Sodium | 129mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 72mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 61g | 122% |
| Vitamin A | 770IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 38mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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