Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Indulge in the soft and moist Gingerbread Cupcakes this Christmas, a beautiful holiday dessert decadently spiced and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. These show-stopping treats are sure to be the star of any festive gathering, delivering that perfect blend of warmth and sweetness.

Making a gingerbread house is one of the best parts of the holiday season! These easy cupcakes capture and recreate the iconic gingerbread flavor that you love so much. You’ll be proud to share them with your kids, family members, and friends, or keep them all to yourself. This easy gingerbread cupcake recipe is made entirely from scratch – no box mixes, no shortcuts. Surprisingly, homemade cupcakes are just as easy as a boxed mix.

Even better, they are topped with a homemade tangy cream cheese frosting. It’s the perfect way to enhance the seasonal spices. Forget about hot cocoa or peppermint, gingerbread cupcakes are about to become your favorite holiday dessert.

Why You’ll Love Gingerbread Cupcakes

Perfect cupcakes for the holiday season. They smell just like Christmas!
Incredible flavor. The bold gingerbread spices waft through the air as these easy gingerbread cupcakes bake.
Perfect texture. This easy recipe makes fluffy gingerbread cupcakes.
Popular at bake sales. Everyone loves the spicy ginger flavor.
Party-ready. They are the perfect complement to the savory appetizers at holiday parties.

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

These are the tastiest and easiest cupcakes to make at Christmas time. This recipe has two parts – the homemade cupcakes and the cream cheese frosting.

Cupcakes

Flour: Use your favorite brand or type of all-purpose flour.
Brown Sugar: Use either dark or light brown sugar in these cupcakes.
Ginger: This is what makes them taste like gingerbread.
Baking Powder: The baking powder helps the cupcakes rise.
Cinnamon: This is the other half of the warm spices that make the cupcakes taste like Christmas.
Salt: This enhances the rest of the flavors.
Eggs: These bind all the ingredients together.
Molasses: Any molasses will work, even blackstrap molasses.
Vegetable Oil: This is the fat that makes the cupcakes taste moist.
Milk: Use your favorite type of milk, as long as it is unflavored.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese and let it soften first so it is easier to mix.
Butter: Unsalted butter is best because it will prevent the frosting from tasting too salty.
Vanilla: This is the deep flavor that makes the frosting taste good.
Powdered Sugar: This sweetens the frosting while giving it a fluffy texture.

How to Make Gingerbread Cupcakes

Step One: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, fill a muffin tin with cupcake liners, and set aside.
Step Two: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, ginger, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt, then set aside.

Step Three: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, molasses, vegetable oil, and milk. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until just incorporated. Fill each cavity in the muffin tin ¾ of the way with batter.

Step Four: Bake in the oven at 350F for 20 minutes or until a knife comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
Step Five: To make the frosting, beat together cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Slowly add in powdered sugar until completely smooth. Add additional powdered sugar to get the consistency desired.
Step Six: Pipe on the frosting or use a knife to spread it on if preferred.

Steps to make frosting for gingerbread cupcakes.

Equipment Needed

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Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a large bowl for the cupcake batter and a medium bowl for the frosting.
Hand Mixer: A hand mixer or a stand mixer will work great.
Measuring cups and spoons: Since you’re baking, you’ll need to use a dry measuring cup to measure the flour accurately.
Piping Bag: This is optional but makes it easier to add the frosting.
Muffin Pan: This is essential for baking cupcakes.
Paper Liners: These are optional. Silicone liners are often easier to use.

What to Serve with Gingerbread Cupcakes

Here are some more cupcake recipes that will look (and taste) incredible with these festive gingerbread cupcakes.

Variations and Substitutions

You can use store-bought cream cheese frosting to save time.
If you don’t like cream cheese, buttercream frosting is just as delicious. Just replace the 8 ounces of cream cheese with ½ cup of butter (don’t forget to include the additional ¼ cup of butter)
Make cinnamon cream cheese frosting by sprinkling a teaspoon of cinnamon into the mixture.
You can use light or dark brown sugar.
You can also substitute the same amount of oil for melted butter.

Storage Instructions

Store in an airtight container on the counter for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Freeze unfrosted cupcakes; they will last longer and be more accessible to store. Wrap each one in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container.

Gingerbread Cupcakes Tips and Tricks

Let the unfrosted gingerbread cupcakes cool to room temperature before you add the frosting.
Add the flour mixture slowly, mixing really well so that it incorporates into the batter thoroughly.
Use a cookie scoop to add the batter to the cupcake pan. This will make sure that cupcakes are the same exact size.

Toppings

There are so many different things you can add on top of the frosted cupcakes. Try any of these ideas:

Sugared cranberries
Mini gingerbread men cookies
Freshly ground cinnamon
Powdered sugar
Christmas sprinkles

Can I Make Into Mini Cupcakes?

Yes, this recipe will make delicious and cook mini cupcakes, too. Pour the batter into a mini cupcake tin. The cooking time will change because more miniature cupcakes will bake faster. Bake them until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

A gingerbread cupcake with a bite out of it.

Can I Turn The Cupcakes Into A Cake?

Yes, you can use this recipe to make a gingerbread cake. Pour the batter into your favorite cake pan and bake it longer than you would the cupcakes. The cream cheese frosting will taste just as delicious on a cake as it does on the cupcakes.

How To Make Cupcakes Moist

If you want your cupcakes to taste extra moist, I suggest adding 1/4 a cup of sour cream to the batter. If you don’t have sour cream, you can use full-fat plain Greek yogurt.

Why Did My Cupcakes Sink In The Middle?

The most common reason your cupcakes fell in the middle is because you mixed them too much and added too much air to the batter. Carefully mix everything together and stop mixing when everything is completely incorporated.

FAQ

How long do cupcakes have to cool before frosting them?

I suggest allowing your cupcakes to cool for at least 3-4 hours. They should be cool to the touch.

What is the best piping tip to use for cupcakes?

I prefer using an open star tip to add the frosting to the cupcakes. Experiment and use your favorite piping tip.

How many servings does this make?

This recipe makes about 18 cupcakes.

Gingerbread Recipes

There are so many different things you can make with gingerbread flavors. Here are some of my favorites:

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