The Coziest Gingerbread Cupcakes Recipe for Sweet Winter Joy

Soft, spicy gingerbread cupcakes dance with warm winter memories, promising sweet comfort in every delightful bite.

The kitchen quickly fills with rich, nostalgic aromas that whisper childhood tales.

Molasses and cinnamon weave magic through these delectable treats, creating miniature desserts that spark joy.

Pulling these golden, fragrant cupcakes from the oven, their tops gently crowned with creamy frosting.

Delicate crumbs promise a perfect balance between robust spices and tender cake texture.

Each cupcake carries a story of cozy afternoons and festive gatherings.

You’ll want to savor these little miracles slowly, letting their incredible flavors transport you to moments of pure happiness.

What Makes Gingerbread Cupcakes So Fun

• Savor Spicy-Sweet Comfort: These gingerbread cupcakes deliver a perfect balance of warm spices and sugary sweetness, creating a cozy flavor explosion that hugs your taste buds with every bite.
• Whip Up Holiday Magic Quickly: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, these cupcakes come together in under an hour, making them an effortless dessert for busy home bakers who want maximum deliciousness with minimal effort.
• Dress Up for Any Celebration: Versatile enough for holiday parties, winter gatherings, or casual weekend treats, these cupcakes can be easily customized with festive toppings like mini gingerbread cookies or seasonal sprinkles to match any mood or occasion.
• Enjoy Bakery-Quality Texture at Home: The buttermilk and careful mixing technique ensure ultra-moist, tender cupcakes with a soft crumb that rivals professional bakery standards, letting home bakers achieve professional-level results with minimal baking expertise.

What You Need For Gingerbread Cupcakes

• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cupcake, providing structure and texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the cupcakes rise and become light.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Cloves: Warm spices that create the classic gingerbread flavor profile.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall taste of the cupcakes.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provide sweetness and contribute to the soft texture.
• Molasses: Gives deep, dark sweetness and signature gingerbread color.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add moisture.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a moist, soft cupcake.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Create a smooth, creamy base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve the right frosting consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic background flavor.
• Ground Cinnamon: Enhances the frosting with a warm spice note.

• Mini Gingerbread Cookies, Sprinkles: Decorative touches that add festive flair and extra texture.

How To Make Gingerbread Cupcakes

Step 1: Prepare Baking Workspace

• Warm up the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
• Grab a cupcake tin and line it with 12 paper liners
• Gather all your ingredients and baking tools

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

• Grab a medium mixing bowl

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Ground ginger
• Cloves
• Salt
• Whisk all dry ingredients together until perfectly combined
• Set the mixture aside for later

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredient Magic

• Find a large mixing bowl
• Cream together
• Softened butter
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Beat until the mixture looks light and fluffy
• Pour in molasses
• Add eggs
• Mix until everything blends smoothly

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

• Slowly add dry ingredient mixture to wet ingredients
• Pour in buttermilk
• Alternate between dry ingredients and buttermilk
• Mix gently until just combined
• Don't overmix the batter

Step 5: Bake Cupcake Goodness

• Scoop batter into cupcake liners
• Fill each liner about two-thirds full
• Slide tin into preheated oven
• Bake for 18-20 minutes
• Check doneness by inserting a toothpick
• Toothpick should come out clean

Step 6: Cool Cupcake Creations

• Let cupcakes rest in tin for 5 minutes
• Transfer to wire cooling rack
• Allow cupcakes to cool completely

Step 7: Craft Creamy Frosting

• Use a large mixing bowl
• Beat together
• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Mix until smooth and creamy
• Gradually add powdered sugar
• Beat until fluffy
• Stir in ground cinnamon
• Add vanilla extract
• Mix until fully incorporated

Step 8: Decorate with Holiday Cheer

• Once cupcakes are completely cool
• Pipe or spread frosting on top
• Sprinkle with extra cinnamon
• Add mini gingerbread cookies
• Scatter festive sprinkles

Enjoy your delicious homemade gingerbread cupcakes!

Helpful Hints For Gingerbread Cupcakes

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for spices to maintain the perfect gingerbread flavor balance without overwhelming the cupcake's delicate texture.
• Room Temperature Matters: Ensure butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cupcake consistency.
• Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense cupcakes.
• Buttermilk Substitution: No buttermilk? Create a quick alternative by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
• Storage Hack: Keep frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, bringing them to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.

Common Questions About Gingerbread Cupcakes

• What makes gingerbread cupcakes different from regular cupcakes?

Gingerbread cupcakes have a unique blend of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves that give them a rich, festive flavor. The addition of molasses creates a deeper, more complex taste compared to traditional vanilla cupcakes.

• Can I make these cupcakes without buttermilk?

Yes, you can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes before using to create a similar tangy flavor and texture.

• Why is molasses important in this recipe?

Molasses adds moisture, depth of flavor, and a signature gingerbread taste. It also helps create a softer, more tender cupcake with a rich brown color that’s characteristic of traditional gingerbread desserts.

• Are these cupcakes kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The warm spices are mild enough for children to enjoy, and the cream cheese frosting adds a sweet touch that kids typically love. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings or family dessert time.

How To Store Gingerbread Cupcakes And Warm Them Up

• Refrigerate: Store frosted gingerbread cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover them gently with plastic wrap to prevent the frosting from getting smudged or dried out.
• Room Temperature: Keep unfrosted cupcakes at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days. Place a paper towel inside to absorb excess moisture and maintain their soft texture.
• Freezing: Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and serving.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated cupcakes briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. For best results, let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying to restore their original moisture and flavor.

Best Things To Eat With Gingerbread Cupcakes

• Pair with Spiced Chai Latte: The warm, aromatic spices in a chai latte perfectly complement the gingerbread cupcakes' rich flavors, creating a cozy and comforting taste experience that feels like a warm hug.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: The cool, creamy sweetness of vanilla bean ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the spicy, dense cupcakes, balancing the warm holiday flavors and adding a luxurious touch.
• Enjoy with Mulled Wine: A glass of warm, spiced mulled wine brings out the deep, complex spices in the gingerbread cupcakes, enhancing the festive mood and creating a sophisticated dessert pairing.
• Complement with Caramel Macchiato: The sweet, buttery caramel notes in a macchiato harmonize beautifully with the molasses and spice of the cupcakes, offering a rich and indulgent flavor combination.

Fun Twists For Gingerbread Cupcakes

• Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes: Replace buttermilk with pumpkin puree and add extra pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal autumn flavor profile. Enhance the frosting with a dash of pumpkin spice for complementary warmth.
• Orange Ginger Cupcakes: Incorporate fresh orange zest into the batter and replace vanilla extract with orange extract. Top the frosting with candied orange peel for bright, citrusy notes.
• Chocolate Gingerbread Cupcakes: Mix cocoa powder into the dry ingredients and reduce flour quantity. Swirl melted dark chocolate into the cream cheese frosting for rich, decadent undertones.
• Maple Pecan Gingerbread Cupcakes: Substitute half the granulated sugar with maple syrup and fold chopped pecans into the batter. Sprinkle toasted pecans on top of the frosting for added crunch and nutty complexity.

Gingerbread Cupcakes Recipe

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4.9 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Spicy and sweet, gingerbread cupcakes deliver winter comfort in each delightful bite. Warm holiday memories dance through rich molasses and fragrant spices, inviting you to savor classic seasonal charm.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet and Sweet Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 grams) brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) molasses
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk (or milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar)

Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Create a cozy holiday atmosphere by preheating the oven to 350F (175C) and arranging cupcake liners in a standard muffin tin.
2. Craft a fragrant dry mixture by whisking together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, transform butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar into a light, airy blend through vigorous creaming.
4. Incorporate rich molasses and eggs into the sugar mixture, ensuring a smooth, homogeneous texture that captures the essence of gingerbread.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk to create a silky, well-integrated batter that promises tender cupcakes.
6. Distribute the batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each approximately two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
7. Slide the filled tin into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, watching for a golden hue and testing doneness with a clean toothpick.
8. Allow cupcakes to rest in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
9. Prepare a luxurious cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese and butter until impossibly smooth and creamy.
10. Gently introduce powdered sugar, whipping until the frosting reaches a cloud-like consistency.
11. Enhance the frosting with a touch of cinnamon and vanilla extract, blending until perfectly combined.
12. Once cupcakes have cooled completely, generously adorn with the spiced cream cheese frosting using a piping bag or spatula.
13. Add final flourishes with a light dusting of cinnamon, miniature gingerbread cookies, or festive sprinkles to elevate the holiday spirit.

Notes

• Customize spice levels by adjusting ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg according to personal taste preferences.
• Ensure ingredients like butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cupcake texture.
• Substitute buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for vegan or lactose-intolerant diets.
• Use gluten-free flour blend to make these cupcakes suitable for those with gluten sensitivities without compromising taste and texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg