Irresistibly Cozy Gingerbread Delight Cupcakes Recipe

Gingerbread cupcakes bring warmth and nostalgia to every festive gathering, crafting ordinary desserts into magical moments of joy.

Robust spices dance through soft, tender crumbs, creating an irresistible aroma that fills kitchens with anticipation.

Perfectly balanced between sweet and spicy, these delightful treats capture the essence of holiday comfort.

Molasses and warm spices intertwine, crafting a complex flavor profile that speaks to cherished memories and cozy traditions.

Delicate yet bold, the cupcakes promise a sensory experience that transcends typical bakery offerings.

Each bite tells a story of comfort, connection, and culinary creativity.

Your taste buds will journey through layers of rich, comforting flavors that celebrate the season’s spirit.

Gingerbread Baking Tips

• Select Quality Spices: Choose fresh, fragrant ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to ensure a rich, warm flavor profile in your gingerbread cupcakes.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring butter, eggs, and buttermilk to room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more evenly textured batter.
• Don't Overmix: Gently fold ingredients together to prevent tough, dense cupcakes; mix just until the dry and wet ingredients are combined.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Insert a toothpick at an angle near the center of a cupcake; a few moist crumbs indicate perfect baking, preventing dry results.
• Chill for Better Frosting: Refrigerate cream cheese frosting for 10-15 minutes before piping to achieve cleaner, more defined decorative swirls on your cupcakes.

Storing Cupcakes Made Simple

• Storing and Reheating Leftovers
• Refrigerate the cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent frosting from sticking. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted cupcakes wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen cupcakes at room temperature for 1-2 hours before frosting. Avoid microwaving cream cheese frosting, as it can separate and lose its creamy texture. When ready to enjoy, let refrigerated cupcakes sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften the frosting and enhance the flavors.

What Works with Gingerbread

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai: Complement the gingerbread cupcakes with a creamy, spiced chai tea that echoes the warm, aromatic spices in the dessert. The cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger in the chai will harmonize beautifully with the cupcake's flavor profile.
• Match with Salted Caramel Latte: Enhance the rich, molasses-based cupcake with a smooth salted caramel latte. The caramel's sweetness and the coffee's depth will accentuate the spicy notes and create a luxurious tasting experience.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Top the cupcake with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, creamy texture and pure vanilla flavor will provide a delightful contrast to the warm, spiced cake, creating a perfect balance of temperatures and tastes.
• Accompany with Mulled Wine: For an adult twist, pair the cupcakes with a glass of mulled wine. The wine's heated spices and rich, fruity undertones will complement the gingerbread's warming flavors, making it an ideal winter dessert combination.

Gingerbread Cupcake Mix-Ups

• Spiced Apple Gingerbread Cupcakes: Add finely chopped apples to the batter for extra moisture and a fruity flavor that complements the warm spices.
• Chocolate Ginger Cupcake Remix: Incorporate cocoa powder into the dry ingredients and top with a chocolate-infused cream cheese frosting for a rich, decadent version.
• Nutty Gingerbread Crunch: Fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter and sprinkle toasted nuts on top of the frosting for added texture and depth of flavor.
• Salted Caramel Gingerbread Upgrade: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the frosted cupcakes to create a sweet and salty contrast that elevates the classic gingerbread profile.

Why Gingerbread Cupcakes Wow

• Burst with Warm Spice Symphony: Gingerbread cupcakes deliver an incredible explosion of classic holiday spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves that dance together in perfect harmony, creating a deeply comforting and nostalgic flavor profile.
• Craft Effortless Holiday Magic: This recipe offers a simple yet impressive baking experience that requires basic ingredients and straightforward techniques, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels who want to create something special without complicated steps.
• Indulge in Luxurious Texture Contrast: Soft, tender cupcake crumb meets rich cream cheese frosting, providing a delightful sensory experience with its moist interior and smooth, creamy topping that melts beautifully in your mouth.
• Celebrate Seasonal Comfort: Perfect for winter gatherings, holiday parties, or cozy weekend treats, these cupcakes capture the essence of festive warmth and bring an instant smile with their inviting aroma and delectable taste.

What’s in Gingerbread Cupcakes

• Flour: Foundation of the cupcake with essential structure and texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Crucial leavening agents for light and fluffy cupcakes.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves: Classic warm spices that create signature gingerbread flavor profile.

• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and tender crumb to the cupcakes.
• Molasses: Rich, deep sweetener that provides signature gingerbread color and taste.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Brings deep caramel notes and moisture to the cupcakes.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create tender texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure to the cupcake.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth base for tangy, creamy frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth consistency to frosting.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm spice note to complement gingerbread flavor.

Bake Gingerbread Cupcakes Easily

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven and Set the Stage

• Crank the oven to 350°F (177°C)
• Grab a cupcake tin and line it with 12 adorable cupcake liners

Step 2: Mix the Dry Spell

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground ginger
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Cloves

Set this magical powder mixture aside

Step 3: Create the Liquid Magic

• Buttermilk
• Molasses

Step 4: Whip Up the Butter Clouds

• Butter
• Dark brown sugar

Step 5: Add Eggy Goodness

• Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter mixture
• Stir in vanilla extract

Step 6: Merge the Mixtures

• Add half the dry ingredients to butter mixture
• Pour in buttermilk and molasses
• Finish with remaining dry ingredients

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

• Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling each ¾ full
• Bake for 15-18 minutes
• Check doneness with a toothpick (should have a few moist crumbs)

Step 8: Craft the Creamy Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Gradually add powdered sugar
• Mix in vanilla extract
• Sprinkle in cinnamon

Step 9: Dress Up the Cupcakes

• Let cupcakes cool completely
• Transfer frosting to a piping bag with a large French tip
• Beautifully decorate each cupcake

Gingerbread Delight Cupcakes Recipe

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4.5 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Gingerbread Delight Cupcakes bring holiday warmth with their rich, spicy essence and velvety cream cheese frosting. Delightful aromas of cinnamon and ginger promise a festive journey through classic Christmas flavors you’ll savor with pure joy.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Wet Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 grams) butter (room temperature)
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup buttermilk
• ⅓ cup unsulfured molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup packed dark brown sugar

Frosting Ingredients:

• 4 cups (454 grams) powdered sugar
• 8 ounces (226 grams) Philadelphia cream cheese (room temperature)
• ½ cup (113 grams) butter (room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and position the rack in the center. Carefully arrange 12 cupcake liners in a standard muffin tin, ensuring even spacing.
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves. Whisk thoroughly to distribute the spices evenly.
3. In a separate medium bowl, combine buttermilk and unsulphured molasses. Gently stir until well blended and set aside.
4. Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream unsalted butter and dark brown sugar at medium speed until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color, approximately 3-4 minutes.
5. Add large eggs one at a time, mixing completely after each addition. Incorporate pure vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
6. Reduce mixer speed to low. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture in three portions, alternating with the buttermilk-molasses mixture. Mix just until ingredients are combined, being careful not to overmix.
7. Portion the batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling each approximately 75% full using an ice cream scoop or large spoon.
8. Bake for 16-19 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking. Test doneness by inserting a wooden toothpick into the center – it should emerge with a few moist crumbs.
9. Remove from oven and let cupcakes rest in the tin for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely for 45-60 minutes.
10. For the frosting, beat softened cream cheese and unsalted butter until completely smooth and free of lumps.
11. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low speed. Incorporate vanilla extract and ground cinnamon, beating until the frosting becomes light and creamy.
12. Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large decorative tip. Pipe swirls of frosting onto each cooled cupcake, creating elegant peaks and smooth surfaces.

Notes

• Embrace the warm, cozy flavors of gingerbread in these delightful cupcakes that capture the essence of holiday baking.
• Precision matters when measuring spices, so use level teaspoons to ensure the perfect balance of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
• Room temperature ingredients are key to creating a smooth, well-incorporated batter that results in tender, moist cupcakes.
• Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the cream cheese topping from melting and losing its beautiful texture.
• Store these cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, bringing them to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
• For an extra festive touch, sprinkle a light dusting of ground cinnamon or add small gingerbread cookie decorations on top of the frosted cupcakes.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 358 kcal
• Sugar: 42 g
• Sodium: 195 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 72 mg