Description
The Green Grinch Cake is a festive layered dessert combining a vibrant green pistachio-flavored cake with classic red velvet layers to create a playful heart design inside. Topped with contrasting green and white icing and accented by red heart sprinkles, this cake is perfect for holiday celebrations or any occasion where a whimsical, colorful dessert is desired.
Ingredients
Scale
Red (Heart) Batter
- 15.2 ounces box of red velvet cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons water
- 3 ounces packet of vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup sour cream
Green Batter
- 15.2 ounces box of yellow cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 packets (6 ounces total) pistachio pudding mix
- 1 cup sour cream
Icing
- 1½ cups white icing
- ¼ cup green icing
- 2 tablespoons red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare Red (Heart) Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, vanilla pudding mix, eggs, vegetable oil, water, and sour cream. Mix until fully blended and smooth to create the red batter that will form the heart shape.
- Prepare Green Batter: In a separate bowl, mix the yellow cake mix with pistachio pudding mix, eggs, vegetable oil, water, and sour cream until well combined and smooth; this green batter will encase the red heart inside the cake.
- Shape the Red Heart: Pour the red batter into a greased heart-shaped cake pan or shape it manually in a standard pan. Bake according to the cake mix box instructions or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the red heart cake to cool completely.
- Assemble the Cake: Grease or line a larger round or square cake pan. Pour a thin layer of the green batter into the pan. Once the red heart cake has cooled, carefully place it in the center of the green batter in the larger pan, ensuring it is positioned upright to reveal the heart shape after slicing. Pour the remaining green batter around and over the heart cake, covering it completely.
- Bake the Complete Cake: Bake the assembled cake following the yellow cake mix baking times or until a toothpick inserted into the green batter comes out clean. Cool the cake thoroughly before decorating.
- Decorate the Cake: Spread the white icing evenly over the cooled cake’s surface. Using green icing, create swirls, patterns, or borders as desired on the cake. Finally, sprinkle red heart sprinkles over the top to add a festive touch and contrast.
Notes
- Ensure the red heart cake is completely cooled before embedding it in the green batter to avoid mixing colors.
- If you don’t have a heart-shaped pan, bake the red batter in a standard pan and carve a heart shape once cooled.
- This cake is best served slightly chilled or at room temperature for optimal texture and flavor.
- Use full-fat sour cream for a richer, moist crumb.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Keywords: Green Grinch Cake, pistachio cake, red velvet cake, layered cake, festive cake, holiday dessert