Description
Spiced holiday magic emerges through homemade gingerbread delight cupcakes crafted with warm seasonal ingredients. Molasses, cinnamon, and nutmeg combine for rich flavor profiles that comfort winter gatherings with sweet memories you will savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsps ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup (113 g) butter (room temperature)
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ⅓ cup unsulfured molasses
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups (454 g) powdered sugar
- 8 oz (226 g) Philadelphia cream cheese (room temperature)
- ½ cup (113 g) butter (room temperature)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) with rack centered. Line a standard muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.
- Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices into a large mixing bowl. Whisk to ensure even distribution of spices.
- Wet Mixture: Blend buttermilk and molasses in a separate bowl until smooth. Set aside for later incorporation.
- Creaming Process: Using a stand mixer, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Incorporate vanilla extract until the mixture is uniform.
- Batter Assembly: Reduce mixer speed to low. Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk-molasses mixture in three portions. Mix gently to combine, avoiding overmixing.
- Baking: Fill cupcake liners about 75% full using an ice cream scoop. Bake for 16-19 minutes, rotating pan midway. Check doneness with a toothpick – it should have a few moist crumbs when removed.
- Cooling: Let cupcakes rest in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Allow to cool completely for 45-60 minutes.
- Frosting Preparation: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and lump-free. Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed. Mix in vanilla extract and cinnamon until frosting becomes light and creamy.
- Finishing Touch: Using a piping bag with a decorative tip, create elegant swirls of frosting on each cooled cupcake, forming smooth peaks and surfaces.
Notes
- Spice Precision: Freshly ground spices dramatically enhance the warm, rich flavor profile of these gingerbread cupcakes, so avoid using old or stale spices.
- Buttermilk Magic: Room temperature buttermilk helps create a tender, soft crumb and ensures even mixing with other ingredients.
- Mixing Mastery: Overmixing the batter can lead to tough, dense cupcakes, so stop mixing as soon as ingredients are just combined.
- Frosting Finesse: Ensure cream cheese and butter are completely softened at room temperature for a smooth, lump-free frosting that pipes beautifully.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 338
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg