Gingerbread Muffins

If you love the warm, spicy flavors of gingerbread, you’re in for a treat with these Gingerbread Muffins! They’re soft, flavorful, and so easy to make. Every bite has just the right balance of molasses sweetness and cozy spices like cinnamon and ginger. Honestly, they taste like the holidays in muffin form.

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how it fills the kitchen with the most amazing aroma while they bake. It’s the kind of scent that makes you want to grab a blanket, a hot drink, and settle in by the fire. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or even dessert, these muffins hit the spot every single time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Warm and Cozy Flavors: These muffins are packed with the perfect blend of molasses, cinnamon, and ginger, giving you all the comforting tastes of classic gingerbread.
• Easy to Make: This recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers. It has simple pantry staples and just a few steps.
• Amazing Aroma: Baking these muffins fills your home with the irresistible scent of the holidays—perfect for getting into the festive spirit!
• Versatile Treat: Enjoy them for breakfast, a quick snack, or dessert. They’re a great all-day kind of treat!
• Make-Ahead Friendly: These muffins freeze beautifully, so you can bake a batch and enjoy them whenever the craving strikes.
• Great for Sharing: Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or as a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family.
• Moist and Tender: The combination of molasses and oil ensures these muffins stay soft and moist, even a day or two after baking.

Ingredients

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

• Vegetable oil: Keeps the muffins moist and gives them a tender texture.
• Sugar and brown sugar: Add sweetness and a hint of caramel-like flavor from the brown sugar.
• Cooking molasses: The star ingredient, giving these muffins their deep, rich gingerbread flavor.
• Large egg: Helps bind the batter together for structure and fluffiness.
• All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the muffins and gives them their soft, tender crumb.
• Baking soda: Helps the muffins rise and keeps them light and fluffy.
• Cinnamon and ground ginger: The perfect spice duo that creates the signature warm and cozy gingerbread flavor.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Water: Adds moisture to the batter, ensuring the muffins stay soft and fluffy.

How to Make Gingerbread Muffins

Follow along to learn how to make gingerbread muffins.

• Step One: Preheat oven to 350°F. Add paper liners to a muffin tin.
• Step Two: In a large bowl, stir together sugar, brown sugar, and oil. Stir in molasses and egg.

• Step Three: In another bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Add dry ingredients to the molasses mixture alternately with water.

• Step Four: Fill muffin tin ⅔ full with batter. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan before removing to a cooling rack.

What to Serve with It

• Hot Coffee or Tea: The warm spices in the muffins pair perfectly with a cozy cup of coffee or a spiced chai tea.
• Whipped Butter or Cream Cheese Spread: Slather on some whipped butter or a slightly sweetened cream cheese spread for an extra indulgent treat. This cinnamon butter is delish!
• Fresh Fruit: Balance the rich, spiced flavors with a side of fresh fruit like sliced apples, pears, or a handful of berries.
• Yogurt: Enjoy these muffins with a dollop of vanilla or plain Greek yogurt for a light breakfast option.
• Warm Apple Cider: A festive drink that complements the gingerbread flavors beautifully, especially during the holiday season.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve the muffins warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple but delicious dessert.
• Honey or Maple Syrup Drizzle: For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle a little honey or maple syrup over the top before serving.

Variations and Substitutions

• Swap the Molasses: If you don’t have cooking molasses, you can use dark corn syrup, honey, or maple syrup, though the flavor will be slightly different.
• Add Mix-Ins: Stir in ½ cup of chopped nuts, raisins, or even chocolate chips for added texture and flavor.
• Use Whole Wheat Flour: For a heartier muffin, substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
• Add Orange Zest: Mix in a teaspoon of orange zest to give the muffins a citrusy twist that pairs beautifully with the spices.
• Make Mini Muffins: Use a mini muffin tin and reduce the baking time to 10-12 minutes for bite-sized treats.
• Add a Streusel Topping: Sprinkle a simple cinnamon-sugar streusel on top before baking for extra sweetness and crunch.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or allspice to deepen the spice profile if you love bold flavors.

Storage Instructions

• At Room Temperature: Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Make sure they’re completely cooled before storing to prevent moisture buildup.
• In the Refrigerator: If you want them to last a little longer, place the muffins in an airtight container or resealable bag and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Bring them to room temperature or warm them slightly before serving for the best texture.
• In the Freezer: These muffins freeze beautifully! Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.
• Reheating Instructions: To reheat, simply microwave a muffin for 15-20 seconds if it’s at room temperature or 30-40 seconds if frozen. Warm them in a 350°F oven for about 5-10 minutes to refresh that just-baked taste.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mix just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can make the muffins dense instead of light and fluffy.
• Use Fresh Spices: Make sure your cinnamon and ginger are fresh for the best flavor. Spices lose potency over time, so check the expiration date!
• Measure Molasses Carefully: Coat your measuring cup with a light layer of oil before pouring the molasses—it will slide right out without sticking.
• Test for Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. They’re ready if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs. Avoid overbaking, as it can dry them out.
• Cool Properly: Let the muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them set and prevents them from falling apart.
• Customize Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter muffin, increase the sugar slightly or add a drizzle of glaze after baking.
• Use a Cookie Scoop: For evenly sized muffins, use a cookie or ice cream scoop to portion out the batter into the muffin tin.

Gingerbread Recipes

• Gingerbread Waffles
• Gingerbread Whoopie Pies
• Cinnamon Rolls with Gingerbread Cream Cheese Frosting
• Gingerbread Eggnog
• Gingerbread Cupcakes
• Gingerbread Latte

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