Recipes

Gingerbread Cupcakes

A fun twist on a festive classic: gingerbread cupcakes!

A fun twist on a festive classic: gingerbread cupcakes!  | Teaspoon of Nose

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Whenever someone invites me over for dinner, I love to bring dessert. It’s a fun way to thank whomever’s feeding us, and an excuse to make something decadent. Plus my husband has much more self-control than me, meaning I consume 80% of the baked goods in our kitchen.  So if you host us, I’ll bring you dessert!

A fun twist on a festive classic: gingerbread cupcakes!  | Teaspoon of Nose
A fun twist on a festive classic: gingerbread cupcakes!  | Teaspoon of Nose

So recently when some friends had us over for dinner, I tried out a twist on gingerbread and made gingerbread cupcakes!!

I like gingerbread but I don’t love gingerbread cookies. (I know, I’m a weirdo.) So this recipe was a bit of a risk – will it be the fluffy gingerbread I love or will the texture not translate to cupcakes?

Turns out, it translates juuuust fine.

A fun twist on a festive classic: gingerbread cupcakes!  | Teaspoon of Nose

All the raw materials, just waiting to become delicious gingerbread cupcakes.

Rich gingerbread cupcakes are perfect for the holidays!

Beat butter. Of course.

Rich gingerbread cupcakes are perfect for the holidays!

Cream in the sugar!

Rich gingerbread cupcakes are perfect for the holidays!

Add in molasses, egg, and egg yolk. Starts looking a little like batter now.

A fun twist on a festive classic: gingerbread cupcakes!  | Teaspoon of Nose

Well, batter with a bit of a weird texture. Stick with me here.

A fun twist on a festive classic: gingerbread cupcakes!  | Teaspoon of Nose

Add in some of the dry mixture, then some of the buttermilk.

A fun twist on a festive classic: gingerbread cupcakes!  | Teaspoon of Nose

Continue alternating (and scraping the sides) until you’ve added everything.

A fun twist on a festive classic: gingerbread cupcakes!  | Teaspoon of Nose

Final product. Looks almost like chocolate batter, but it smells like rich molasses.

Rich gingerbread cupcakes are perfect for the holidays!

Bake at 350°F for about 20-22 minutes. Keep an eye on them: they take longer than I would’ve thought to cook.

Rich gingerbread cupcakes are perfect for the holidays!

While the cupcakes are baking, let’s turn to frosting! Beat softened butter with a whisk for 3-5 minutes (always want fluffy butter). Then add molasses and spices.

A fun twist on a festive classic: gingerbread cupcakes!  | Teaspoon of Nose

Slowly add the sugar, a little at a time. When you’ve reached the desired consistency and flavor, you’re done! I used about 2 1/4 cups. Whip for another couple minutes to make sure everything’s combined and as light and fluffy as possible.

A fun twist on a festive classic: gingerbread cupcakes!  | Teaspoon of Nose
A fun twist on a festive classic: gingerbread cupcakes!  | Teaspoon of Nose

Wait for the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting – otherwise you’ll have a mess on your hands.

Now you’ve got festive Christmas cupcakes, perfect for a holiday party! Or just getting in the Christmas spirit.

This recipe is based off this one from Imperial Sugar, with a few of my own adjustments.

Gingerbread Cupcakes with Gingerbread Frosting

Ingredients:

Cupcakes:
  • 5 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 1/4 c all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 c buttermilk
Frosting:
  • 1 c unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 c molasses
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2-3 c powdered sugar

Steps:

  1. Preheat the oven 350°F. Fill 2 muffin tins with paper liners. (I usually just grease, but these cupcakes end up being a bit crumbly, so go with cupcake liners for this one!)
  2. Beat the butter for 2 minutes on high. Then add the sugar and beat for another minute or two at medium speed.
  3. Add the molasses, egg and the extra egg yolk. Combine at low speed.
  4. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cocoa powder, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda,  and salt. Add half to the molasses mixture, then add half the buttermilk.
  5. Stir (gently at first!) until just combined, then add the other half of both. Don’t overbeat – mix until combined.
  6. Pour the batter into muffin liners. My recipe made 16 cupcakes. Bake for 20-22 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle of one.
  7. Let them cool for 5-10  minutes in the tin, then remove to finish cooling. Let cool completely before frosting.
  8. To make the frosting: beat the butter for 3-5 minutes with the whisk attachment.
  9. Add the molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Combine on low.
  10. Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time. Do it on low if you don’t want sugar thrown across your kitchen. 🙂 Add to taste – I used 2 1/4 cups this last time. Then beat on high for another minute or two to make it extra fluffy.
  11. Frost, and you’re done!
A fun twist on a festive classic: gingerbread cupcakes!  | Teaspoon of Nose

The icing was especially good: something about the surprise of sweet frosting with gingerbread spices built right in just hit the spot.

A fun twist on a festive classic: gingerbread cupcakes!  | Teaspoon of Nose

What holiday treats are you whipping up this month??

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