Easy Gingerbread Cupcakes Recipe: Festive Holiday Sweetness

Sweet aromas of warm spices dance through the kitchen when you bake these delectable gingerbread cupcakes that capture the essence of holiday comfort.

Molasses and cinnamon blend together, creating a nostalgic treat that warms the heart and soul.

Rich, moist, and perfectly spiced, these cupcakes bring classic winter flavors to life in every delightful bite.

The robust ginger and subtle sweetness create a harmonious balance that feels like a cozy embrace.

Topped with creamy frosting, these cupcakes transform an ordinary afternoon into a memorable celebration.

Each cupcake promises a moment of pure, festive joy that connects you to cherished seasonal memories.

Bake these cupcakes and let the magic of gingerbread fill your home with happiness.

What Makes Gingerbread Cupcakes Special

• Slam-Dunk Dessert Hack: Transform basic crescent rolls into a decadent sweet treat that feels like a bakery-style indulgence without professional baking skills.
• Kid-Friendly Cooking Adventure: Perfect for getting children involved in the kitchen, allowing them to help brush butter, sprinkle cinnamon-sugar, and create fun icing designs.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Delivers maximum deliciousness with minimal ingredients and preparation, making it ideal for spontaneous gatherings, potlucks, or unexpected sweet cravings.
• No-Fuss Weekend Treat: Requires just a few simple pantry staples and basic kitchen tools, ensuring anyone can create a memorable dessert with minimal effort and clean-up.

What Goes In Spiced Gingerbread Cupcakes

• All-Purpose Flour: A key base that provides structure to the cupcakes.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: These leavening agents help the cupcakes rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cupcakes.
• Ground Ginger, Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg, Ground Cloves: Classic spices that give traditional gingerbread flavor.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Brown Sugar: Provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness characteristic of gingerbread.
• Molasses: Gives the cupcakes their signature dark color and robust flavor.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cupcakes' structure.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Create a smooth, creamy base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor to complement the gingerbread cupcakes.

Steps for Moist Gingerbread Cupcakes

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C). Grab your muffin tin and line it with cute cupcake wrappers.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Nutmeg
• Cloves

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until they become light and fluffy like a cloud. Pour in molasses and crack in eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry

Slowly mix dry ingredients and milk into the butter mixture. Start and end with the dry ingredients, creating a smooth, delicious batter.

Step 5: Bake the Cupcakes

Scoop the batter evenly into the lined muffin tin. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 6: Cool Down

Let the cupcakes chill completely on a wire rack.

Step 7: Whip Up Creamy Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Gradually fold in powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Step 8: Frost and Serve

Generously spread the creamy frosting over the cooled cupcakes. Enjoy your delightful gingerbread treat!

Tips for Spicy Gingerbread Cupcake Success

• Use freshly ground spices for a more intense, aromatic flavor profile that elevates the gingerbread taste.
• Don't overmix the batter to keep cupcakes tender and prevent a tough, dense texture when baking.
• Ensure eggs, butter, and cream cheese are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better ingredient integration.
• Chill cream cheese frosting for 10-15 minutes before piping to achieve cleaner, more defined decorative swirls on cupcakes.
• Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.

Fun Mixes for Gingerbread Cupcake Fans

• Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cupcakes: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Spice Cupcakes: Swap eggs with applesauce, use coconut oil instead of butter, and choose plant-based milk for a dairy-free alternative.
• Pumpkin Gingerbread Cupcakes: Add 1/2 cup pumpkin puree to the batter for extra moisture and seasonal flavor.
• Maple Cream Cheese Frosting: Replace vanilla extract with pure maple syrup in the frosting for a rich, warming taste.

What Goes With Holiday Gingerbread Cupcakes

Pair Spiced Rum with Gingerbread Cupcakes: The warm, rich notes of spiced rum complement the deep molasses and ginger flavors, creating a cozy winter dessert experience.

Serve with Chai Tea: The aromatic spices in chai – cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves – beautifully echo the warm spices in the gingerbread cupcakes, enhancing their complex flavor profile.

Match with Caramel Latte: The sweet, buttery caramel notes provide a delightful contrast to the spicy, robust gingerbread, creating a harmonious and indulgent taste combination.

Enjoy with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: The creamy, smooth vanilla softens the bold spices of the cupcake, offering a cool, refreshing counterpoint to the warm gingerbread flavors.

Storing Gingerbread Cupcakes for Freshness

• Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Wrap each cupcake individually with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent flavor transfer.
• Wrap unfrosted cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before frosting.
• Keep unfrosted cupcakes in a sealed container at room temperature for 1-2 days. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources to prevent drying out.
• Warm refrigerated cupcakes in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. For frozen cupcakes, thaw completely before gently warming to maintain their soft texture.

FAQs

• What are the key spices in gingerbread cupcakes?

The key spices are ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, which give these cupcakes their classic warm and aromatic gingerbread flavor.

• Can I make these cupcakes without molasses?

Molasses is essential for authentic gingerbread taste, but you can substitute with dark corn syrup or honey, though the flavor will be slightly different.

• How do I ensure my cupcakes are moist?

Mix wet and dry ingredients just until combined, don’t overmix the batter, and be careful not to overbake. Check for doneness around 18 minutes with a toothpick test.

Gingerbread Cupcakes Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive gingerbread cupcakes bring winter holiday warmth to your kitchen with classic spices and rich molasses. Delicate crumbs melt in your mouth, inviting pure comfort and joy that connects generations through sweet seasonal memories.

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Ingredients

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Flour and Spices:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup whole milk

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Instructions

1. Prepare workspace by positioning oven rack in center and heating to 350F. Arrange cupcake liners inside muffin tin.
2. Combine all dry ingredients in medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute spices and leavening agents evenly.
3. Using electric mixer, cream butter and brown sugar until texture becomes airy and pale, approximately 3-4 minutes.
4. Incorporate molasses into butter mixture, then add eggs individually, ensuring complete integration after each addition.
5. Gradually fold dry ingredient mixture into wet ingredients, alternating with milk. Mix until batter appears smooth and uniform.
6. Carefully distribute batter among prepared cupcake liners, filling each approximately 2/3 full.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes, rotating pan halfway through cooking time. Test doneness by inserting toothpick into center – it should emerge clean.
8. Remove cupcakes from oven and allow to cool completely on wire rack, approximately 45 minutes.
9. Prepare frosting by blending cream cheese and butter until completely smooth and free of lumps.
10. Slowly incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until frosting reaches light, fluffy consistency.
11. Once cupcakes are room temperature, generously spread or pipe frosting onto each cupcake surface.

Notes

• Swap out regular flour for gluten-free flour blend to make these cupcakes celiac-friendly without compromising texture.
• Add a tablespoon of fresh grated ginger for an extra zingy, warming flavor that intensifies the traditional gingerbread profile.
• Reduce sugar content by using half brown sugar and half coconut sugar for a more complex, less sweet taste with lower glycemic impact.
• Try dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream cheese and plant-based butter to create a vegan version of these festive cupcakes.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 221 kcal
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 162 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg