This Grinch Cake is a totally fun and festive dessert for Christmas–and it starts with a doctored up cake mix so it’s not even difficult to make!
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Hello hello! How are you? Are you decking your halls and feeling holly jolly?
I sort of am. But I’ve been listening to Robert Downey Jr. sing “River” on repeat (Ally McBeal Christmas album is THE BEST) and I have to say it’s beautiful but um, Joni Mitchell writes depressing songs. And also it’s not actually a Christmas song, just something on a Christmas album so there’s that too.
Don’t worry though! I’m going to switch to NKOTB Christmas here soon so I’ll get myself back in the sprit.
And eating a slice of Grinch Cake will certainly help the situation. Side note: we’re talking the Grinch after his heart grew three sizes, not before. So it’s super-Christmas-y.
Why you’ll love this Grinch Cake
- The cake layers are a doctored up cake mix so that part is EASY
- You don’t need special equipment to make this cake—just cake pans, a hand mixer, a rolling pin, and a cookie cutter
- Store-bought fondant makes the heart decorations a breeze!
How to Make Your Grinch Cake
Combine white cake mix, flour, sugar, sour cream, water, vegetable oil, egg whites, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
Yes—flour, sugar, and vanilla! Those three ingredients help make the cake taste more like it’s made from scratch. I used clear vanilla extract to make sure my cake layers were extra white but you can use regular.
Beat with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes, until the batter is smooth, then use a rubber spatula to scrape up from the bottom and get everything totally mixed together.
Divide the batter between two 8-inch round cake pans lined with parchment and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, then cool completely before frosting and decorating your grinch cake.
Be sure your cake pans are at least 2 inches high because these cake layers rise quite a bit. I used these cake pans and they worked perfectly.
How to Make Vanilla Buttercream
First, just know that you don’t have to stick with vanilla—you can add a little peppermint extract (or lemon—go crazy!) if you want to mix things up a bit.
Beat room temperature butter with an electric mixer until very creamy. Add powdered sugar, milk, salt, and vanilla extract (I used clear vanilla again) and beat until smooth. Then add green gel food coloring to achieve your desired color.
I strongly recommend using gel rather than liquid so you can get a nice, vibrant green without using a ton of food coloring, but if liquid is all you have then it’s fine.
Frost your cake like normal—spread some frosting on top of one cake layer, top with the second, and use the remainder to frost the outside of the cake. Use an icing smoother or offset spatula to create a smooth surface for your fondant hearts.
How to Decorate Your Grinch Cake
Use a rolling pin to roll store-bought red fondant into a even, thin layer (about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick). Dust the fondant with a little powdered sugar if necessary to keep it from sticking to the rolling pin.
Use a small, sharp heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out hearts—my cookie cutter was 1 and 1/4 inches tall. After you cut out each heart, remove the fondant from around the heart rather than attempting to lift the heart out from inside the fondant. Carefully transfer the hearts to the cake and gently press them into the sides.
Baker’s tip: If you can’t lift the hearts off your work surface without stretching them, leave the cookie cutter around the heart and work a small offset spatula under the fondant, then lift both the fondant and the cookie cutter up. Gently remove the cookie cutter and your heart should stay the right shape.
I used this closed star tip to pipe the frosting on top of the cake and these Christmas sprinkles and jimmies to finish it off; sprinkles are optional but strongly recommended 😊
If a Grinch cake doesn’t get you in the holiday spirit then I don’t know what will. Now who wants a slice? I’m on my third for the week and I’m a little concerned I’ll turn green if I keep going. . .send help!
More Christmas desserts!
Peppermint Cake
Christmas Funfetti Cheesecake Cake
Gingerbread Cupcakes
Did you make this Grinch cake? That’s great! Take a pic and post it over on Instagram–tag @theitsybitsykitchen so I can see your gorgeous creations!
This Grinch cake is a fun and festive addition to any Christmas party!
- 1 15.25-ounce box white cake mix
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup full-fat sour cream
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large egg whites
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract use clear if you have it
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 4 1/2 to 5 cups powdered sugar
- 4 to 6 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract use clear if you have it
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- green gel food coloring
- red fondant
- sprinkles optional
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 (8-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray. Be sure your pans are at least 2 inches tall, because the cake layers rise quite a bit. Line the bottom of the pans with parchment paper, then spray the paper with more cooking spray. Set pans aside.
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Combine the cake mix, flour, sugar, sour cream, water, vegetable oil, egg whites, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.
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Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes—batter should be very smooth. Use a rubber spatula to scrape up from the bottom and get everything totally mixed together.
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Divide cake batter between the prepared pans and bake cake layers 43 to 48 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
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Cool cake layers for 20 minutes in pans, then run a knife around the edge of the pans and carefully invert onto a wire rack to cool completely before assembling your cake.
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Place the butter in a large mixing bowl and beat until very smooth, about 1 minute. With mixer set to low, gradually beat in 4 1/2 cups of the powdered sugar. Add 4 tablespoons of the milk and the vanilla and salt.
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Turn mixer to medium speed and beat until frosting is very smooth. If frosting is too thin, add additional powdered sugar; it it’s too thick add additional milk. Add green gel food coloring and mix to combine.
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Use a long serrated to trim your cooled cake layers if they’ve domed.
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Place one cake layer on a cake stand or cardboard cake circle and spread with a thick layer of frosting. Top with a second layer and frost the cake with the remaining frosting.
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Use a rolling pin to roll the fondant into a even, thin layer (about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick). Dust the fondant with a little powdered sugar if necessary to keep it from sticking to the rolling pin.
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Use a sharp heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out hearts. Carefully transfer the hearts to the cake and gently press them into the side of the cake.
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Top the cake with sprinkles, if desired, and serve.
Tips for working with fondant
- After you cut out each heart, remove the fondant from around the heart rather than attempting to lift the heart out from inside the fondant.
- If you can’t lift the hearts off your work surface without stretching them, leave the cookie cutter around the heart and work a small offset spatula under the fondant, then lift both the fondant and the cookie cutter up. Gently remove the cookie cutter and your heart should stay the right shape.
Inspired by these Grinch’s Heart Cookies from In Katrina’s Kitchen
Loved watching Ally Mc Beal 🙂 I have to check out the Christmas Album! The colour of the cake is incredible ♡
Miriam xx
Thank you, Miriam!
Kelsie, we could quite possibly be best friends! The NKOTB Christmas album is one of my favourites (much to my husband’s dismay). And while I love classic Christmas songs, sometimes you just need a little “funky funky Christmas”! 😉 As for this cake, I’m loving the Grinch theme. It’s festive, but not over the top. This would definitely be a big hit with my nephews at Christmas!
Haha! Nothing puts me in the Christmas spirit like Funky, Funky Christmas! Thank you so much, Leanne!
Kelsie! This might be my favorite recipe that you’ve ever posted…and that’s saying a lot since I love your recipes. 🙂 The Grinch is one of my all-time favorites, and I even named my dog Max after the Grinch’s dog. So of course I’m going to be all-in on a Grinch themed cake. Question though: What do you think about the new Grinch movie that’s coming out? (A) Awesome. (B) How dare they mess a classic? (C) Huh? Grinch movie? Seriously, though, well done, my friend. Also, why NKOTB and not Backstreet Boys Christmas? I googled that Robert Downey, Jr song, and it’s a good one. Have you heard Josh Groban’s “River”? Different song entirely, but so good! Mm,k, I’ll stop rambling now. Bye.
Haha! I’m going with B. I heard a bit of the Grinch’s voice in a preview and it’s not Grinch-y at all. Why do they remake movies people already like and make them worse? I’m going to check out the Josh Groban song; his voice is incredible. Have a great weekend, David!
How fun is this cake Kelsie?! The colors! I’m thinking this would be perfect after seeing the new Grinch movie. Skip the popcorn and go right for this beauty of a cake!
Thank you, Mary Ann!
Lol….NKOTB – who was your fave?? Talk about a throwback! This cake is absolutely beautiful (and so fun) Kelsie! And The Grinch is one of my fave Christmas movies. I’m thinking I just may have to watch it this weekend while enjoying some of this beauty! Your decorating is spot on! Have a wonderful weekend, girlie 🙂
Haha! I loved Jordan! Thank you, Dawn!
oh my goodness how cute!
Thank you, Mimi!
What a fun Grinch cake!! It is decorated so prettily 🙂 After reading about you listening to Christmas music, you have me inspired to go bake in the kitchen today and blast some Christmas music! Have a great rest of the week my friend! XOXO
Yay for Christmas music and baking! Thanks, Kelly!
What an awesome Grinch cake!! Best ever! Pinning!!
Thank you, Kim!
First of all, I absolutely LOVE the Grinch! I used to watch it every year when I was little (the original), and now I (shamelessly) watch the Jim Carey one every year during the holidays! Needless to say, I am swooning over this cake! This is so fun and festive, Kelsie!! Plus I’m loving that it’s so easy to make! Holiday perfection, my dear! Pinned! Cheers!
I’ve never seen the Jim Carey version. Goals for this year! Thanks, Chey!
Love it when you get all artistic! I need to not show this cake to my son for awhile because he will bug me about making asap.. This just has to be eaten while watching the movie:) All of it!
Awww thank you, Milena!
I know just what you mean about that Christmas album – I was blown away when I saw that it was Robert Downey Jr. singing! A man of many talents!!
How fun and festive is this Grinch cake!? The Grinch has always been a favorite Christmas story of mine so this cake is pure nostalgia. Love your creativity with treats, Kelsie!
I know! He really should sing more! Thanks, Marissa!
I love how easy this cake comes together, I am all for kitchen shortcuts and box mixes, especially at this time of year.
Me too! We need to save all the time we can right? Thanks, Emma!
I had no idea that Robert Downey Jr. sang!? I love him even more now! This cake is the cutest, Kelsie! The boys would love it – it’s so bright and cheery. I can’t believe Christmas is coming so soon!!
He’s so talented! Thank you, Katherine!
My little guy would absolutely love this! We are big Christmas and Grinch fans here!
Here too! Thanks, Carlee!
Such a festive cake and beautiful. Love it.
Thank you, Carol!
I like how you get in the spirit, Kelsie – with cake and carols (of sorts)! BTW – Can you believe I have a CD version of that NKOTB Christmas album?! 🙂
But, getting back to this cake – it’s so festive – so festive that am putting my tree up tonight!
Thank you, Shashi!
i’m so excited that i know exactly what song you’re talking about! it’s very haunting, especially the way he sings it. i’m not ashamed to admit i loved that show. 🙂
great cake!
YES! Haunting is exactly the word!