If you’re craving a seasonal treat that’s at once classic and utterly delightful, you simply must try this Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. These cupcakes capture the warm, cozy spices of gingerbread in a moist, tender cupcake, perfectly balanced by a luscious, creamy frosting. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or just want a little comfort in a bite, this recipe brings the best of festive flavors and creamy sweetness together in a way that feels like a warm hug. Trust me, once you make these cupcakes, they’ll be a go-to favorite you’ll want to bake again and again.

The image shows a close-up of a cupcake with a gingerbread cookie standing on top. The cupcake has two layers: the bottom layer is a brown, crumbly cake with a soft texture, and the top layer is white, smooth, and fluffy frosting swirled in peaks with small green, red, and yellow sprinkle dots. The gingerbread cookie is shaped like a smiling figure, decorated with white icing for the eyes, buttons, and mouth, and is placed standing in the frosting. The cupcake is in a white paper wrapper that is partially peeled back, revealing crumbs scattered around it. The background features more cupcakes similarly decorated, along with blurred green and silver Christmas ornaments laying on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind these Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe comes down to simple, wholesome ingredients that work beautifully together. Each ingredient has a role, from spices that evoke that classic gingerbread warmth to the creamy elements that give the frosting its dreamy texture.

All-purpose flour, 1 2/3 cup: The foundation for your cupcakes, providing tender structure without heaviness.
Baking powder, 1/2 tsp: Helps the cupcakes rise, making them light and fluffy.
Baking soda, 1/2 tsp: A crucial leavening agent that reacts with buttermilk to add lift.
Salt, 1/2 tsp: Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness and spice.
Ground ginger, 2 tsp: The star spice, giving gingerbread its signature warming bite.
Ground cinnamon, 1 1/2 tsp: Adds depth and cozy sweetness to the spice blend.
Ground cloves, 1/4 tsp: A little goes a long way, contributing a rich, aromatic spice.
Ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp: Rounds out the spices with a hint of nuttiness and warmth.
Unsalted butter, 6 TBSP (for batter) + 3/4 cup (for frosting): Provides richness and moist crumb, plus creaminess in the frosting.
Oil (canola or vegetable), 2 TBSP: Keeps cupcakes tender and moist.
Brown sugar, 3/4 cup (packed): Offers caramel notes and sweetness with a hint of molasses flavor.
Pure vanilla extract, 1 tsp (batter) + 1 tsp (frosting): Enhances and balances all the flavors beautifully.
Molasses, 1/4 cup: Classic gingerbread flavor that adds moisture and depth.
Large egg, 1: Binds the batter, ensuring structure with tenderness.
Buttermilk, 1/2 cup: Adds tang and reacts with baking soda to make the cupcakes tender.
Cream cheese, 8 oz (for frosting): Creates that smooth, tangy frosting that is the perfect match for spiced cupcakes.
Powdered sugar, 4 cups (sifted): Sweetens and thickens the frosting into a silky spreadable delight.

How to Make Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350℉ and line a 12-cup cupcake pan with liners to make for easy removal after baking. In a medium bowl, sift together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all the fragrant spices: ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. This ensures even distribution of leaveners and spices throughout your batter.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use a mixer to beat the 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, the 2 tablespoons of oil, and the packed brown sugar on high speed. You want the mixture to become pale and fluffy; this process incorporates air, which helps give the cupcakes a lovely light texture.

Step 3: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Add in the vanilla extract, molasses, and the egg to your creamed butter and sugar. Mix on medium speed until everything is smoothly combined. This will create a rich, dark batter bursting with molasses goodness.

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Switch your mixer to low speed and add the dry ingredient mix alternately with the buttermilk. This method helps keep your batter tender and moist. Be sure to scrape the bowl with a spatula to incorporate everything evenly without overmixing.

Step 5: Fill Your Cupcake Liners

Using a large cookie scoop, fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full. This is important to avoid overly domed tops and ensures your cupcakes bake evenly, with a soft, tender crumb inside.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake the cupcakes for 18 to 21 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Once out of the oven, let them sit in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting. This step is crucial so your frosting doesn’t melt and runs off.

Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

Start by sifting powdered sugar in a large bowl to avoid lumps. Then, beat the 3/4 cup softened butter on high speed until creamy, add the cream cheese, and beat for another minute until perfectly smooth. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar in two stages to keep the frosting light, then add the vanilla and beat on high until fluffy and creamy.

Step 8: Frost Your Cupcakes

Using a piping bag fitted with a large French star tip, pipe swirls of the cream cheese frosting over each cupcake. The star tip gives that professional look with textured ridges that hold the frosting beautifully while inviting you to take the first indulgent bite.

How to Serve Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

A group of cupcakes on a dark round tray set on a white marbled surface. Each cupcake has a golden brown base with a light ridged paper wrapper. On top is a thick swirl of white frosting, decorated with small red, green, and white sprinkles. Each cupcake is topped with a smiling gingerbread man cookie, which is brown with white icing details for eyes, buttons, and a smiling mouth. The background is dark and blurred with some green shapes. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon or a dusting of powdered sugar over the frosted cupcakes for a simple elegant touch. For extra flair, consider adding a small candied ginger piece or a dusting of nutmeg right before serving — it invites a rich aroma that teases the senses.

Side Dishes

These cupcakes shine wonderfully alongside a hot cup of chai tea, coffee, or even a spiced apple cider. For a full festive treat, serve them with fresh whipped cream or alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Their warm spices make them perfect for dessert during chilled evenings.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the cupcakes on a rustic wooden board sprinkled with star anise and cinnamon sticks for a festive centerpiece. Alternatively, stack them in a tiered cupcake stand for holiday parties or wrap each in a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon to gift to friends and family. Presentation adds just as much joy as taste!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can keep leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Refrigeration helps preserve the cream cheese frosting but take care to let them come to room temperature before enjoying, so the frosting softens nicely.

Freezing

These cupcakes freeze beautifully. Place them unfrosted on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Frost after they thaw at room temperature to preserve freshness. Alternatively, freeze fully frosted cupcakes but wrap them well to protect against freezer burn. They keep for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To warm frozen or refrigerated cupcakes, gently microwave for 10-15 seconds. Avoid overheating as it may melt the frosting too much. Warming enhances the spice aroma and makes every bite feel cozy and fresh.

FAQs

Can I use blackstrap molasses for this Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe?

Blackstrap molasses has a much stronger, more bitter flavor, so it’s best to avoid it here. Use regular molasses like Grandma’s for a balanced, rich sweetness that compliments the spices perfectly.

What’s the best way to prevent cupcakes from sinking in the middle?

Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature and avoid overmixing the batter once the flour is added. Also, filling the liners two-thirds full rather than too full helps the cupcakes bake evenly without sinking.

Can I substitute the buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by adding one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1/2 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using in the recipe.

How do I get the frosting super smooth and creamy?

Beat the butter and cream cheese separately until soft and smooth before mixing together. Also, make sure to sift your powdered sugar to avoid lumps. Beat everything together at high speed until light and fluffy for the best texture.

Is this Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe suitable for holiday parties?

Absolutely! These cupcakes are festive, flavorful, and easy to make in bunches, making them a perfect addition to holiday dessert tables, potlucks, or gift-giving.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe enough. It’s one of those feel-good recipes that combines the best parts of holiday traditions into a single, irresistible dessert. From the spicy-sweet cupcake to the luscious, tangy frosting, every bite feels like a celebration. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, get baking, and prepare to wow your friends and family with these joyful treats.

Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe