Jolly Easy Gingerbread Cupcakes Recipe for Holiday Magic

Warm, spicy gingerbread cupcakes dancing with nostalgic holiday charm will brighten your kitchen.

Sweet memories of childhood weekends fill each delectable bite.

Cozy winter afternoons call for simple, comforting treats that spark joy.

Delicate spices like cinnamon and nutmeg weave magic through soft, pillowy cake.

Fragrant molasses creates deep, rich undertones that whisper sweet seasonal stories.

Baking these cupcakes feels like wrapping yourself in a soft, familiar blanket.

You’ll want to savor every crumb of this delightful dessert that celebrates winter’s warmest flavors.

Gingerbread Cupcakes and the Spiced Joy That Comes With Each Bite

• Discover Quick Festive Baking: These gingerbread cupcakes are perfect for holiday bakers at any skill level.
• Lightning-Fast Preparation: Whip up these delightful treats in under 45 minutes from start to finish, making them ideal for sudden dessert cravings.
• Kid-Friendly Kitchen Project: Involving children in measuring ingredients and decorating creates fun family bonding moments with minimal complicated steps.
• Versatile Celebration Dessert: Perfect for Christmas gatherings, winter parties, or cozy weekend afternoons when you want something warm and comforting without intense baking skills.

Gingerbread Cupcakes (Easy) Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Base for the cupcake structure, provides essential texture and volume.
• Ground Ginger, Ground Cinnamon, Ground Cloves: Warm spices that create classic gingerbread flavor profile, freshly ground is best.
• Baking Soda: Essential leavening agent that helps cupcakes rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and tender crumb, best when softened at room temperature.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create tender texture, granulated white works perfectly.
• Molasses: Gives deep, rich color and authentic gingerbread taste, dark molasses recommended.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure, room temperature eggs mix more smoothly.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps blend dry ingredients, whole milk preferred.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle depth and rounds out spice flavors, pure extract recommended.

• Butter: Creates creamy base for frosting, must be softened.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and smooth texture for frosting.
• Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency, use sparingly.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances frosting flavor.
• Salt: Balances sweetness in frosting.

Gingerbread Cupcakes Baking Steps

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F.

Grab a 12-cup muffin tin and line it with cupcake liners or give it a quick grease and flour coating.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Ground ginger
• Cinnamon
• Ground cloves
• Baking soda
• Salt

Set this magical mixture aside.

Step 3: Create Butter Cream Base

In a large mixing bowl, whip the softened butter and sugar until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud.

Pour in the molasses and beat until everything blends beautifully.

Step 4: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Crack eggs one by one into the butter mixture, beating thoroughly after each addition.

Slowly fold in the dry ingredients, alternating with milk.

Start and end with dry ingredients.

Splash in vanilla extract and mix until smooth.

Step 5: Fill and Bake Cupcakes

Carefully spoon batter into cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.

Slide the tin into the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes.

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

Step 6: Cool Down Cupcakes

Let cupcakes rest in the tin for a few minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.

Step 7: Whip Up Creamy Frosting

Beat softened butter until it becomes creamy.

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Whip until the frosting becomes smooth and fluffy.

Step 8: Decorate and Serve

Once cupcakes are fully cooled, spread or pipe frosting on top.

Sprinkle with festive decorations or dust with a hint of cinnamon for extra magic.

Sweet Tips for Gingerbread Cupcake Baking

• Use recently purchased ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves to ensure maximum flavor and aromatic warmth in your cupcakes.
• Measure flour precisely using the spoon-and-level method to avoid dense, dry texture and maintain perfect moisture.
• Allow butter, eggs, and milk to sit at room temperature for better integration and smoother batter consistency.
• Check cupcakes at 18 minutes to prevent overbaking, as ovens vary and each minute counts for maintaining soft, tender crumb.
• Dust frosted cupcakes with extra ground cinnamon or sprinkle crushed gingersnap cookies for added festive texture and visual appeal.

Saving Gingerbread Cupcakes

• Store unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep frosted cupcakes covered in the fridge for maximum freshness.
• Wrap individual unfrosted cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm refrigerated cupcakes in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying. Avoid overheating to prevent dryness.
• If refrigerated, let frosted cupcakes sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften the frosting and restore its creamy texture before serving.

Cupcake Sides for Gingerbread Flavor

• Pair Spiced Rum Eggnog: Complement the warm gingerbread flavors with a creamy, boozy eggnog spiked with spiced rum. The rich, nutmeg-infused drink echoes the cupcake's aromatic spices perfectly.
• Brew Ginger Chai Latte: Create a cozy flavor harmony by serving a spicy ginger chai latte alongside these cupcakes. The blend of tea, milk, and warming spices will enhance the dessert's deep, molasses-driven profile.
• Serve Dark Chocolate Espresso: Offer a bold dark chocolate espresso that cuts through the cupcake's sweetness. The bitter, intense coffee notes will balance the warm, spicy gingerbread wonderfully.
• Drizzle Salted Caramel Sauce: Add a luxurious salted caramel sauce drizzled over the cupcakes or served as a dipping companion. Its buttery, salty-sweet complexity will elevate the gingerbread's traditional flavor landscape.

Easy Gingerbread Cupcakes Holiday Styles

• Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cupcakes: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free baking mix to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains the rich, spicy flavor profile.
• Vegan Ginger Cupcakes: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use plant-based milk to craft a dairy-free and egg-free alternative that's equally delicious.
• Low-Sugar Spice Cupcakes: Swap regular sugar with coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall sugar content while preserving the warm gingerbread essence.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use almond milk or oat milk instead of regular milk, and replace butter with vegetable oil or margarine for those with dairy restrictions.

FAQs

• Can I use fresh ginger instead of ground ginger?

Yes, you can substitute ground ginger with freshly grated ginger. Use about 1-2 tablespoons of fresh ginger for the same intense flavor.

• Is molasses necessary for this recipe?

Molasses is crucial for authentic gingerbread taste. It provides depth, richness, and the classic dark color. If you don’t have molasses, you can use dark corn syrup as a substitute.

• How do I prevent my cupcakes from becoming dry?

Don’t overmix the batter and check the cupcakes early. Start testing with a toothpick at 18 minutes. Remove them from the oven as soon as the toothpick comes out clean to maintain moisture.

• Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?

Yes, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Use a 1:1 baking flour that contains xanthan gum for the best texture and rise.

Easy Gingerbread Cupcakes Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

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

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Description

Warmth fills kitchens with delectable gingerbread cupcakes that bring holiday cheer straight from Christmas memories. Spiced batter and sweet frosting blend into a delightful treat serving comfort and joy to winter gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) molasses
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients (optional):

• 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and arranging cupcake liners in a standard muffin tin, ensuring even spacing.
2. Combine all dry ingredients – flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt – in a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly whisking to distribute spices evenly.
3. In a separate large bowl, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, creating a smooth base for the cupcake batter.
4. Incorporate molasses into the butter mixture, blending until fully integrated and achieving a rich, dark color.
5. Introduce eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition to maintain a consistent texture and prevent curdling.
6. Alternate adding dry ingredient mixture and milk to the wet ingredients, folding gently to create a smooth, lump-free batter. Finish by stirring in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
7. Distribute batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling each approximately two-thirds full to allow proper rising during baking.
8. Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.
9. Remove cupcakes from the oven and let them rest in the tin for a few minutes to stabilize their structure.
10. Transfer cupcakes to a wire cooling rack, allowing them to reach room temperature completely before frosting.
11. Prepare frosting by whipping softened butter until creamy, then gradually introducing powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and salt until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
12. Once cupcakes are fully cooled, generously apply frosting using a spatula or piping bag, creating decorative swirls or smooth surfaces.
13. Optional: Enhance presentation by sprinkling cinnamon or festive decorations over the frosted cupcakes.

Notes

• Swap out regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals, ensuring the same delightful texture and taste.
• Replace dairy milk with almond, oat, or coconut milk to create a dairy-free version that’s equally moist and flavorful.
• Reduce sugar content by using natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, making these cupcakes a bit healthier without compromising on deliciousness.
• Add extra warmth and depth by incorporating finely chopped crystallized ginger into the batter for an intense gingerbread flavor profile.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 215
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 45mg