This grinch cake is a one layer vanilla cake colored green with Andes mints in the cake. It is topped with green cream cheese frosting and a red heart sprinkle. It is cute enough to make your heart grow 3 sizes!

Two slices of grinch cake on it's side.

This Grinch cake is inspired by the classic Grinch Who Stole Christmas movie. It is a holiday tradition to watch the Dr. Suess Grinch movie in our house, so I love bringing the holiday spirit with this easy cake. It looks cute and tastes even better! Maybe Christmas does mean a little bit more than presents. It means delicious desserts!

Top view of decorated cake cut into slices.

Tips for making the cake

Here are my tips, so yours turns out like this recipe!

  • Tip 1: Make sure the flour is spooned and leveled. If you stick the measuring cup in the flour, it can be compacted. This can cause a more dry cake.
  • Tip 2: Chop the Andes mints into small pieces before adding to the cake batter, so it can be evenly distributed.
  • Tip 3: For the best color, I prefer Americolor food dye. It is the best quality that uses a small amount of food dye.
Andes mints in the cake batter.
The Andes mints are optional, you can also do chopped chocolate.
Green cream cheese frosting in a bowl.
The butter and cream cheese need to be the same temperature for best results.
Baked cake on a wire rack.
Once the cake is cooled, use a serrated knife to cut the dome off the top of the cake.
One piece of cake on it's side.

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For more holiday recipes, try my grinch cookies and hot cocoa cake.

Close up of the top of the grinch cake.

Make sure to leave a star review if you loved this recipe! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.

Recipe Video

Two slices of grinch cake on it's side.
5 from 3 reviews

Grinch Cake

Stephanie Rutherford
This grinch cake is a one layer vanilla cake colored green with Andes mints in the cake. It is topped with green cream cheese frosting and a red heart sprinkle.
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Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 16 slices

Ingredients
 
 

Grinch Cake

  • 2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp Baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp Baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 TBSP Oil, canola or vegetable
  • 1 cup White granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup Sour cream, room temperature
  • 1 TBSP Pure vanilla extract
  • 3 Large eggs, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup Buttermilk, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup Andes mints, chopped *optional
  • Green food dye

Green Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 oz Cream cheese, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3 cups Powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • Green food dye
  • Red heart jumbo sprinkles

Instructions
 

Grinch Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray a 9X9-inch cake pan with baking nonstick spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper and spray again. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Chop the andes mints.
    2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour, 1 tsp Baking powder, 1/2 tsp Baking soda, 1/2 tsp Salt, 3/4 cup Andes mints
  • Using a mixer, beat the butter, oil, and sugar on high speed for 2 minutes. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl.
    1/2 cup Unsalted butter, 2 TBSP Oil, 1 cup White granulated sugar
  • Add in the sour cream, vanilla, and green food dye (3 drops), mix until combined. Add in the eggs and mix on medium speed until smooth. Make sure to scrape the bowl.
    1/3 cup Sour cream, 1 TBSP Pure vanilla extract, 3 Large eggs, Green food dye
  • Add 1/3rd of the dry ingredients and half of the buttermilk and mix on low speed. Add another 1/3rd of the dry ingredients and the rest of the buttermilk. Then, finish with the rest of the dry ingredients.
    3/4 cup Buttermilk
  • Take the batter off the mixer, add in the chopped andes mints. Mix until combined. Pour the batter into the pan.
  • Bake for 33-36 minutes. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Let the cake sit in the hot pan for 10 minutes. Transfer the cake to a cooling rack. Cool completely before decorating.

Green Cream Cheese Frosting

  • In a medium bowl, sift the powdered sugar.
    3 cups Powdered sugar
  • Using a mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter on high speed for 2 minutes.
    4 oz Cream cheese, 3/4 cup Unsalted butter
  • Add in half of the powdered sugar and mix on low speed until just combined. Repeat with the rest of the powdered sugar. Add in the vanilla, green food dye (3 drops), and salt and beat on high speed until smooth.
    1 tsp Pure vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp Salt, Green food dye
  • Spread the frosting over the cake. Add the heart sprinkles on top.
    Red heart jumbo sprinkles

Notes

Flour- Make sure flour is spooned and leveled or use a kitchen scale. Compacted flour can dry out the cake.
High altitude baking- Add an extra 2 TBSP of flour.
Pull out dairy ingredients 2 hours before baking.
Calories: 364kcal, Carbohydrates: 59g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 49mg, Sodium: 214mg, Potassium: 58mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 587IU, Vitamin C: 0.04mg, Calcium: 48mg, Iron: 2mg
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