{"id":10142,"date":"2019-11-21T11:52:00","date_gmt":"2019-11-21T17:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gw.finelimedesigns.com\/2007\/05\/gingerbread-cupcakes-could-they-be-perfect-3\/"},"modified":"2023-12-06T09:20:32","modified_gmt":"2023-12-06T15:20:32","slug":"gingerbread-cupcakes-could-they-be","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cupcakeproject.com\/gingerbread-cupcakes-could-they-be\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Gingerbread Cupcakes (Christmas Cupcakes)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Loaded with spices and topped with a spiced cream cheese frosting, Gingerbread Cupcakes<\/strong> are the perfect desserts for Christmas and all through December!<\/p>\n\n\n

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These fun and whimsical Christmas cupcakes channel the flavors of sweet and warm holiday spices. Delicious ginger cupcakes topped with a creamy cinnamon cream cheese frosting!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

Ingredients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The secret to these Gingerbread Cupcakes is using lots of spices! When I created this recipe, I kept adding more and more spices until I was happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make the perfect gingerbread spice blend, use a combination of cocoa powder<\/strong>, ground ginger<\/strong>, ground nutmeg<\/strong>, and ground allspice<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll also need molasses<\/strong> to get that distinctive rich flavor of gingerbread. If you don’t have any on hand, sometimes dark or even light brown sugar will provide some of that flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip:<\/span><\/strong> Always opt opt for a light molasses<\/em> like Grandma’s Original Molasses [paid link]<\/a>. While blackstrap molasses works well for a less sweet gingerbread loaf, it is too bitter for cupcakes or even ginger molasses cookies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other ingredients you’ll need are baking staples like cake flour, sugar, unsalted butter, cream cheese, baking soda, salt, eggs, and sour cream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Make This Recipe for Gingerbread Cupcakes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before starting, make sure you read my guide to baking cupcakes<\/a> if you’re an inexperienced baker and want to get up to speed quickly.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gingerbread Cupcakes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 F.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. In a mixing bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together dry ingredients – sugar, cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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    Lots of warm spices go into this batter to make sweet and distinct ginger cupcakes that will remind you exactly of gingerbread!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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    1. Add butter and mix on medium-low speed for three minutes. Because there is so little butter, you’ll end up with a very fine crumb texture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Mix in molasses until fully combined. The mixture should have the look of wet sand.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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      \"thick
      Make these unique and tasty cupcakes for Christmas or anytime you want a twist on classic gingerbread.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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      1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, sour cream, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add this mixture to the flour mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Slowly add milk and mix on low speed until just combined. Note that the batter will be very wet – that’s totally normal!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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        This combination of ingredients yields one of the best gingerbread recipes for making cupcakes!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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        1. It’s really important to fill the liners the correct amount – in this case, 3\/4 full<\/strong>. When in doubt, it’s better to under-fill the liners than to overfill them. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Tip:<\/mark><\/strong> When you overfill liners, the gingerbread cupcakes won’t dome properly. I always recommend baking a test cupcake to see if you have the fill level right.<\/p>\n\n\n

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          \"Filling
          Using a scoop is the perfect way to evenly distribute the batter for your ginger cupcakes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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          1. Bake for 14 minutes or until completely done. Remove from the oven and set on a cooling rack to cool.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            I frost these Gingerbread Cupcakes with a spiced version of my classic cream cheese frosting<\/a>. It’s very similar to my cinnamon frosting<\/a>, but I up the ante by using all of the gingerbread spices instead of just cinnamon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The trick to great cream cheese frosting is having all of your ingredients at room temperature<\/strong>. I’ve also learned that aerating butter first, then adding cream cheese helps to produce a smooth result with good mouth feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            1. Start by mixing butter on high speed for three minutes or until light and fluffy. Then, add cream cheese and mix until just combined.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. Mix in powdered sugar one cup at a time. (Add more or less than my recipe suggests to get the consistency you want.)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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              The gingerbread flavors carry into the delicious cream cheese frosting for a Christmas cupcakes recipe with cohesive and distinct flavors!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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              1. Add your gingerbread spices and mix until fully integrated.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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                \"Adding
                Take your cream cheese to the next level by adding warm spices. This make an excellent addition on top of ginger cupcakes!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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                1. Pipe with a piping tip onto cooled cupcakes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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                  \"frosting
                  Decorating Christmas cupcakes is a great way to get the whole family involved!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

                  Decorating<\/h3>\n\n\n
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                  \"Decorating
                  Top your gingerbread cupcake recipe with storebought or homemade gingerbread people for an extra fun flair!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

                  I love topping this gingerbread cupcake recipe with gingerbread men and women. I bought mine from Craft Cookie Co.<\/a> If you’re creative, you could always make homemade gingerbread cookies<\/a>. It’s a fun project!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Expert Tips and FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                  How can I store these cupcakes for a few days?<\/strong>

                  The USDA considers frostings made with cream cheese to be unsafe if left unrefrigerated, and there are a lot of food websites that echo this fear.I personally leave my cupcakes with cream cheese frosting out on the counter in an airtight container.<\/strong>\u00a0I have never had problems with the frosting souring, and I have certainly never had any negative health effects.If you want to be on the safe side, refrigerate these and allow time to let them almost return to room temperature before serving.<\/p> <\/div>

                  Why did my frosting get gummy?<\/strong>

                  Some cream cheese brands are more susceptible to becoming gummy than others when whipped. Make sure you first aerate butter and then add cream cheese, mixing only until just combined. Overwhipping the cream cheese can definitely make things worse.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n