The Best Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cinnamon Vanilla Buttercream Recipe

Gingerbread cupcakes upgrade ordinary dessert time into a festive celebration of warmth and spice.

Rich, aromatic ingredients dance together to create a nostalgic treat that whispers of cozy winter moments.

Soft, tender crumbs infused with classic holiday spices promise a delightful sensory experience for anyone craving comfort.

Complex layers of flavor emerge from carefully balanced ingredients that speak to traditional baking techniques.

Delicate spices weave through each bite, offering a harmonious blend of sweetness and subtle heat.

These charming cupcakes represent more than just a dessert—they’re a culinary journey into beloved seasonal memories.

The cinnamon vanilla buttercream elevates this classic recipe from simple to spectacular.

Gingerbread Cupcakes With a Buttercream That Pops

• Spice Up Your Dessert: These gingerbread cupcakes pack a powerful punch of warm, aromatic spices that dance on your taste buds with every bite, bringing a cozy winter wonderland right to your plate.
• Quick and Foolproof Baking: The simple mixing method and straightforward ingredients make this recipe perfect for bakers of all skill levels, ensuring even novice cooks can create bakery-worthy treats without stress.
• Texture Perfection: The combination of moist, tender cupcakes with silky smooth cinnamon vanilla buttercream creates a delightful contrast that elevates the entire dessert experience from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Festive Flavor Celebration: Loaded with classic holiday spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, these cupcakes capture the essence of seasonal comfort and bring nostalgic warmth to any gathering or quiet afternoon treat.

What You’ll Need for These Spiced Cupcakes

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base structure and volume for the cupcakes, with a smooth and fine texture.
• Baking Soda: Essential leavening agent that helps the cupcakes rise and become light and fluffy.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Ground Nutmeg, Ground Allspice: Warm, aromatic spices that create the signature gingerbread flavor profile.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall taste of the cupcakes.

• Butter: Adds richness, moisture, and contributes to the tender crumb of the cupcakes.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Provides deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps keep the cupcakes moist.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds structure to the cupcake batter.
• Molasses: Gives a classic gingerbread color and distinctive rich, deep flavor.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth, consistent batter.

• Butter: Creates a smooth, creamy base for the buttercream with rich flavor.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds a warm, spicy note to the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic, sweet background flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the buttercream frosting.

Baking Steps for Gingerbread Cupcakes From Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pan with paper liners. Gather all ingredients and equipment.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground ginger
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground allspice
• Salt

Whisk thoroughly until well blended.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In an electric mixer, beat butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. This process creates a smooth, airy base for the cupcakes.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

• Egg
• Molasses

Mix until fully combined and smooth.

Step 5: Combine Batter

Gradually add milk to the mixture. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient blend, mixing until batter becomes smooth and consistent. Scrape bowl sides to ensure complete mixing.

Step 6: Fill and Bake Cupcakes

Pour batter into cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Check doneness by lightly pressing cupcake top or inserting a toothpick into center- it should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool Cupcakes

Remove cupcakes from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack. Cooling is crucial for perfect frosting application.

Step 8: Prepare Buttercream Frosting

• Ground cinnamon
• Vanilla extract

Mix thoroughly.

Step 9: Complete Buttercream

Gradually add powdered sugar. Start mixing on low speed, then increase to high. Beat until frosting becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 10: Decorate Cupcakes

Frost cooled cupcakes using a butter knife, small spatula, or piping bag for elegant presentation. For a professional touch, use a decorative piping tip.

Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed fresh, these cupcakes are perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy afternoon treats. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Tips for Smooth Cinnamon Vanilla Frosting

• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use level measuring cups and spoons to ensure the perfect balance of spices and flour for authentic gingerbread flavor.
• Room Temperature Magic: Allow butter, egg, and milk to reach room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more evenly textured cupcake batter.
• Spice Intensity Adjustment: Freshly ground spices will give a more vibrant and robust flavor compared to pre-ground spices that might have lost their potency.
• Cooling Technique: Let cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack to prevent soggy bottoms and ensure the frosting sets perfectly without melting.
• Frosting Finesse: Chill the buttercream for 10-15 minutes before piping to achieve cleaner, more defined decorative swirls and prevent drooping.

Storing Cupcakes Without Losing Texture

• Refrigerate: Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and frost before serving.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated cupcakes briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness, being careful not to overheat and dry out the cake.

What Complements Gingerbread Cupcakes Best

• Brew Warm Spiced Tea: Complement the gingerbread cupcakes with a fragrant chai or ginger tea that echoes the warming spices in the dessert, creating a cozy and harmonious flavor experience.
• Pair with Rich Dessert Wine: Select a sweet late-harvest Riesling or a port wine that matches the cupcakes' deep molasses and spice profile, enhancing the dessert's complexity.
• Match with Creamy Vanilla Latte: The smooth, vanilla-infused coffee will beautifully highlight the cinnamon buttercream and provide a delightful contrast to the spiced cupcake's robust flavors.
• Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of classic vanilla ice cream alongside the cupcake creates a delectable temperature and texture contrast, melding the cool creaminess with the warm, spiced cake.

Ways to Switch Up the Buttercream and Base

• Spiced Apple Ginger Cupcakes: Fold diced apples into the batter for extra moisture and fruity flavor. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top before baking to enhance the warm spice profile.
• Chocolate Gingerbread Fusion: Mix cocoa powder into the dry ingredients for a rich chocolate undertone. Top with chocolate-infused buttercream for a decadent winter dessert.
• Nutty Molasses Crunch: Fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the cupcake batter. Garnish with candied nuts and a drizzle of caramel sauce for added texture and sweetness.
• Gluten-Free Holiday Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining the classic gingerbread flavor profile.

Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cinnamon Vanilla Buttercream Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Warm holiday spices dance through these gingerbread cupcakes, creating a festive dessert that whispers Christmas memories. Rich cinnamon vanilla buttercream crowns each tender cake, inviting you to savor classic seasonal comfort in one delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.25 teaspoon ground allspice
• 0.25 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 0.5 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 0.5 cup molasses
• 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) milk, at room temperature

Buttercream Frosting Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Gather all necessary utensils and equipment for precise cupcake preparation, ensuring an organized baking environment.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, whisking flour, baking soda, and aromatic spices until thoroughly integrated and lump-free.
3. Cream butter and dark brown sugar using an electric mixer, whipping until the mixture becomes light and fluffy with a pale, airy texture.
4. Incorporate egg into the butter mixture, blending smoothly, then introduce molasses to create a rich, dark base with deep flavor complexity.
5. Alternate adding milk and spiced flour mixture to the batter, mixing gently to maintain a smooth, homogeneous consistency without overmixing.
6. Prepare cupcake pan with paper liners, carefully distributing batter to fill each well approximately two-thirds full for optimal rising.
7. Place cupcake pan in preheated oven at 350°F, baking for 18-20 minutes until cupcakes demonstrate resilience when gently touched and a inserted toothpick emerges clean.
8. Remove cupcakes from oven and transfer to a cooling rack, allowing complete temperature reduction before frosting.
9. For buttercream, whip butter in an electric mixer until it becomes light and incorporates significant air volume.
10. Blend ground cinnamon and vanilla extract into butter, ensuring even distribution of warm, fragrant spices.
11. Gradually introduce powdered sugar, initially mixing at low speed to prevent sugar clouds, then increasing mixer speed to create a smooth, luxurious frosting.
12. Apply frosting using preferred method – spreading with a knife, smoothing with a spatula, or piping decorative swirls for an elegant finish.
13. Optional: Garnish with a light dusting of cinnamon or decorative sprinkles to enhance visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Spice Up Your Baking: These gingerbread cupcakes pack a warm, aromatic punch with a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice that’ll make your kitchen smell like holiday heaven.
• Moisture Magic: Dark brown sugar and molasses create an incredibly soft, tender crumb that keeps these cupcakes deliciously moist and rich.
• Frosting Finesse: The cinnamon vanilla buttercream adds a creamy, sweet complement to the spicy cupcake base, balancing flavors perfectly.
• Bake with Precision: Fill cupcake liners only ⅔ full to ensure even rising and prevent overflow during baking.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Cupcakes can be baked a day in advance and stored in an airtight container before frosting for convenient party prep.
• Quick Tip: Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a smooth, beautiful finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 266
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 34 mg