Grinch-Themed Gooey Butter Cake

Get ready to wow your guests with this Grinch-inspired gooey butter cake! With its vibrant green color, chewy layers, and a hint of mint, it’s got all the holiday vibes wrapped up in one adorable dessert. Heart sprinkles add that “growing heart” Grinch magic, and a drizzle of creamy white chocolate takes it over the top. This cake isn’t just delicious; it’s also quick to make, so you’ll have plenty of time for all the other holiday craziness. Grab your ingredients, channel your inner Grinch, and get ready to bake up some festive fun!

Grinch-Themed Gooey Butter Cake

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• Author: Taryn Camp

Ingredients

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• 1 box of white cake mix
• Green food coloring
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 3 eggs, divided
• 1 (8oz) package of cream cheese softened
• 4 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4–1/2 tsp peppermint extract (depending on how much you like peppermint flavor!)
• Peppermint bark or crushed candy canes- I used peppermint bark
• White chocolate, melted- for drizzling, if desired
• Holiday tree sprinkles, and heart sprinkles, if desired

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with baking spray and line it with parchment paper. It’ll be MUCH easier to pull out.
2. Mix the cake mix, melted butter, 1 egg, and a few drops of food coloring to form a dough. I find that it’s easiest to mix with your hands to fully incorporate the color. Press the dough into the bottom of the pan.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, 2 eggs, powdered sugar, extracts, and a few more drops of green food coloring until smooth. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer.
4. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake.
5. Sprinkle the peppermint bark on top and add a few of the sprinkles and hearts if you’re using them. They’ll bake into the cake, so you’ll also need extra to add on after they have cooled.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top is set but still gooey in the center.
7. Let it cool completely. I like to stick mine in the fridge for an hour so they have sort of a fudgy texture.
8. Drizzle with white chocolate and add any more sprinkles or hearts. Serve right away!

Okay, guys, this Grinch-inspired gooey butter cake is about to steal the show at your holiday table! Picture this: bright green, chewy cake layers with a minty twist, heart sprinkles to show off your “growing heart” (Grinch style), and a drizzle of white chocolate to top it all off. It’s cute, festive, and SO delicious. Plus, it’s easy enough that you’ll be in and out of the kitchen in no time—perfect for when you’ve got that busy holiday schedule.

First things first, grab a box of white cake mix and turn it Grinch-green with a few drops of food coloring. Mix it up with melted butter and an egg until it turns into a dough (pro tip: use your hands to really work in that color!). Press that gorgeous green dough right into a 9×13 baking dish that’s lined with parchment paper, so you can lift it out easily once it’s baked. This is our base layer that’s going to hold up all that gooey, creamy goodness.

Next up, we’ve got the gooey part! Beat together some cream cheese, eggs, powdered sugar, a little vanilla, and a hint of peppermint extract. Add a few more drops of green food coloring to make it extra festive, then pour that smooth, minty filling right over the cake layer. For the ultimate holiday twist, sprinkle peppermint bark or crushed candy canes over the top, plus a handful of heart and holiday tree sprinkles. 

Pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 40-45 minutes until the top is set but still soft and gooey. Let it cool completely (if you can wait, try chilling it in the fridge for an extra fudgy texture). Then go all out with a white chocolate drizzle and extra sprinkles. This Grinch cake is gooey, minty, and impossible not to love—just like the Grinch after his heart grew three sizes!