Kranky Cupcakes

Name: Kranky Cupcakes
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 18
Ingredients: 1 box chocolate cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box; 1 c. butter, softened; 4 c. powdered sugar; 1 tsp. vanilla extract; 3 tbsp. heavy cream; pinch of kosher salt; 36 yellow M&Ms; Red, green, and black food coloring

By Lena AbrahamUpdated: Sep 21, 2021

Approved by the Delish Test Kitchen

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preview for Make These Cupcakes For The Grump In Your Life

Yields:

Prep Time:

25 mins

Total Time:

45 mins

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Bake up an ode to our favorite grumpy Christmas character complete with a bright red Santa hat made from buttercream.

Made these? Let us know how it went in the comment section below!

Editor's Note: This recipe page was updated with new photos on September 21, 2021.

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Directions

1. Step 1Preheat oven to 350° and line two cupcake pans with 18 cupcake liners. Prepare cake mix according to package instructions.
2. Step 2Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cupcakes cool completely.
3. Step 3 In a large bowl using a hand mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and beat until combined, then add vanilla, heavy cream, and salt and beat until combined. Divide mixture into 4 bowls: 1/3 of the frosting in one (dye green), 1/3 frosting in another (dye red), and the rest divided evenly between the other two bowls (black and white). Place into 4 separate piping bags.
4. Step 4Using the red frosting, place small dots in the center of the yellow M&Ms. Start with a thick layer of green, then top with red to form the hat. Add white where the red and green meet, lining the bottom of the hat. Top with a dollop of white on the top of the hat. Place the two eyes under the hat and finish with black for the eyebrows. Serve.