Description
Spiced gingerbread delight cupcakes blend warm holiday memories with rich, complex flavors from traditional German baking techniques. Creamy cream cheese frosting and delicate spice notes invite bakers to savor winter’s most comforting dessert experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup (120 ml) butter, softened
- ½ cup (120 ml) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (120 ml) molasses
- ¾ cup (180 ml) water
- 1 ½ tsps ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for cake)
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon (for frosting)
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- 1 package (8 oz) Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (60 ml) butter, softened
- 4 cups (480 ml) powdered sugar
- 2 tsps lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tsps milk
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C) and arrange cupcake liners evenly in a standard muffin tin.
- Wet Ingredient Fusion: Cream together granulated sugar, unsalted butter, dark molasses, and eggs using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes silky and pale.
- Dry Ingredient Blend: Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl, ensuring uniform spice distribution.
- Batter Creation: Merge dry ingredients with wet ingredients, alternating with room temperature water in three stages to maintain a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Baking Process: Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full and bake for 16-19 minutes, verifying doneness with a toothpick that comes out clean.
- Cooling Technique: Allow cupcakes to rest in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frosting Preparation: Whip cream cheese, butter, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until completely smooth, gradually incorporating powdered sugar and milk to achieve a perfect spreading consistency.
- Final Presentation: Once cooled, generously top cupcakes with spiced cream cheese frosting, using a piping bag or offset spatula for an elegant finish.
- Optional Garnish: Embellish with miniature gingerbread cookies, candied cranberries, or a delicate rosemary sprig to elevate the visual appeal.
Notes
- Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for spices to achieve the perfect balance of warmth and flavor in these gingerbread cupcakes.
- Room Temperature Matters: Ensure eggs, butter, and cream cheese are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Blend ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense cupcakes that lose their delicate crumb.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and maintain the frosting’s beautiful piped design.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg