Gingerbread Cupcakes

Highlighted under: Dessert Lover’s Collection

Experience the delightful taste of the holidays with these Gingerbread Cupcakes. Moist and fluffy, each bite is packed with warm spices and rich molasses, topped off with a heavenly cream cheese frosting. Perfect for Christmas gatherings or cozy winter nights, these festive treats will make your holiday season extra special.

Emma

Created by

Emma

Last updated on 2025-11-28T02:26:33.199Z

Experience the delightful taste of the holidays with these Gingerbread Cupcakes.

The Perfect Holiday Treat

Gingerbread Cupcakes are more than just a dessert; they embody the essence of the holiday season. Their rich, spiced flavor brings to mind warm family gatherings and cozy moments spent around the fireplace. With every bite, these cupcakes evoke nostalgia, reminding us of traditional gingerbread cookies and festive celebrations. This combination of flavor and aroma will fill your home with the comforting scents of cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for both you and your guests.

What sets these cupcakes apart is their wonderful texture. The moistness of each cupcake ensures that they remain delightful even days after baking. Coupled with the creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting, they create a decadent treat that’s hard to resist. Whether served as a dessert after a holiday meal or as a festive treat with a cup of tea or coffee, these cupcakes leave a lasting impression.

Ideal for Any Celebration

Gingerbread Cupcakes are not just limited to Christmas celebrations; their delightful flavor profile makes them suitable for various winter festivities. Consider serving them at holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or family gatherings. Their unique taste and festive presentation are sure to catch the attention of your guests, making them a talking point at any event.

Decorating these cupcakes provides an opportunity for creativity. You can add seasonal touches like crushed candy canes, sugared cranberries, or even edible glitter for a festive appeal. These additions can transform the cupcakes into an eye-catching centerpiece for your dessert table, ensuring they look as good as they taste. With a touch of personalization, these cupcakes will stand out and be remembered long after the celebration ends.

Embrace the Spirit of Baking Together

Baking Gingerbread Cupcakes brings families and friends together in the heart of the home. It’s a wonderful activity that allows everyone to participate, from measuring ingredients to decorating the finished product. Engaging in this hands-on experience fosters bonds and creates lasting memories during the chilly winter months. Involving children in the process not only makes it fun but also teaches them valuable kitchen skills they’ll carry into adulthood.

As you whip up the batter and frost the cupcakes, consider encouraging creativity in decorating. Provide various toppings and utensils, allowing each individual to customize their cupcake. This personal touch will make the baked goods even more special and will leave everyone with cherished memories of their own gingerbread masterpieces.

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with paper liners.

Mix Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt.

Cream Butter and Sugar

In another bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

Combine Wet Ingredients

Add the egg, molasses, and buttermilk to the butter mixture, mixing well.

Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

Fill Cupcake Liners

Scoop the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling them about 2/3 full.

Bake

Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool and Frost

Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting with the cream cheese frosting.

Tips for Perfect Gingerbread Cupcakes

To ensure your Gingerbread Cupcakes turn out perfectly every time, measuring ingredients accurately is crucial. Use a kitchen scale for precision when measuring flour and sugar, and leveled measuring cups for dry ingredients. This attention to detail will help achieve the ideal texture and taste.

When mixing the batter, be mindful not to overmix after combining the wet and dry ingredients. Stir until just combined to maintain the light and fluffy texture that makes these cupcakes so delightful. Overmixing can lead to dense cupcakes, which we want to avoid for a truly enjoyable treat.

Storing and Serving Suggestions

If you have leftovers, store your Gingerbread Cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage. Just make sure they are well wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in an airtight container. When ready to enjoy, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.

For serving, consider pairing these cupcakes with festive beverages. A cup of spiced chai tea or even a warm peppermint hot chocolate complements the flavors perfectly. Present them on a decorative cake stand or platter for a beautiful and inviting display that showcases these holiday delights.

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Questions About Recipes

→ Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cupcakes a day in advance and frost them just before serving.

→ Can I use gluten-free flour?

Yes, a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend should work well in this recipe.

Gingerbread Cupcakes

Experience the delightful taste of the holidays with these Gingerbread Cupcakes. Moist and fluffy, each bite is packed with warm spices and rich molasses, topped off with a heavenly cream cheese frosting. Perfect for Christmas gatherings or cozy winter nights, these festive treats will make your holiday season extra special.

Prep Time20 minutes
Cooking Duration20 minutes
Overall Time40 minutes

Created by: Emma

Recipe Type: Dessert Lover’s Collection

Skill Level: Beginner

Final Quantity: 12 cupcakes

What You'll Need

For the Cupcakes

  1. 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  2. 1 teaspoon baking powder
  3. 1 teaspoon baking soda
  4. 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  5. 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  6. 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  7. 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  8. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  9. 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  10. 1 cup brown sugar
  11. 1 large egg
  12. 1/2 cup molasses
  13. 1/2 cup buttermilk

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

  1. 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  2. 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  3. 4 cups powdered sugar
  4. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How-To Steps

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with paper liners.

Step 02

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt.

Step 03

In another bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 04

Add the egg, molasses, and buttermilk to the butter mixture, mixing well.

Step 05

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

Step 06

Scoop the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling them about 2/3 full.

Step 07

Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 08

Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting with the cream cheese frosting.

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 220
  • Fat: 9g
  • Carbohydrates: 33g
  • Protein: 2g