12 Spiced Gingerbread Cupcake Recipes That Smell Like Holidays

The aroma of spiced gingerbread cupcakes wafting through your kitchen is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season. These delightful treats are not just a feast for the taste buds but also for the senses, filling your home with warm, inviting scents. Whether you’re looking to impress at a holiday gathering or simply want a cozy treat at home, these 12 recipes will bring the festive spirit straight to your table.

1. Classic Gingerbread Cupcakes

These cupcakes capture the essence of the traditional gingerbread cookie.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup molasses
• ½ cup milk

Process:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with liners.
2. Mix dry ingredients and in a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar, then add eggs, molasses, and milk.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then fill the liners halfway and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Make it Unique: Add chocolate chips or chopped pecans for extra texture.

2. Vegan Gingerbread Cupcakes

Delicious cupcakes that everyone can enjoy, made without any animal products.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup almond milk
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Process:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a cupcake tin.
2. Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine, pouring into liners.
3. Bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Make it Unique: Top with a sprinkle of crushed walnuts for added crunch.

3. Gingerbread Latte Cupcakes

Perfect for coffee lovers who crave that gingerbread flavor with a kick.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp espresso powder
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup brewed coffee, cooled
• ½ cup molasses

Process:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your cupcake tin.
2. Cream together butter and sugar, add eggs, coffee, and molasses.
3. Combine dry ingredients in another bowl, then stir them together and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Make it Unique: Drizzle with caramel sauce to make them even more indulgent.

4. Apple Cinnamon Gingerbread Cupcakes

A delightful twist featuring the warm flavors of apples.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup grated apple
• ½ cup molasses

Process:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prep your cupcake tin.
2. Cream butter and sugar, adding eggs and grated apples, then molasses.
3. Combine dry ingredients, mix with wet, and bake for about 20 minutes.

Make it Unique: Add a streusel topping made of oats before baking for an added crunch.

5. Gingerbread and Cranberry Cupcakes

The tartness of the cranberries adds a beautiful contrast to the spiced cupcakes.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup cranberry sauce
• ½ cup molasses

Process:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin.
2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy, then mix in eggs, cranberry, and molasses.
3. Combine with dry ingredients and bake for 20 minutes.

Make it Unique: Top with a drizzle of white chocolate for a festive touch.

6. Gingerbread Nutella Cupcakes

Indulge in the rich combination of gingerbread and chocolate.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup Nutella
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup molasses

Process:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin.
2. Cream together butter and sugar, add eggs, Nutella, and molasses.
3. Combine dry ingredients, mix with wet, and pour into liners, bake for 20 minutes.

Make it Unique: Swirl extra Nutella into the batter before baking for a gooey surprise.

7. Gingerbread Carrot Cupcakes

A delightful way to incorporate more veggies into dessert while enjoying spiced goodness.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup grated carrots
• ½ cup molasses

Process:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your cupcake tin.
2. Beat together butter and sugar, adding eggs and grated carrots next.
3. Combine dry ingredients, mix them through, and fill your liners. Bake for 18-22 minutes.

Make it Unique: Add chopped walnuts for an extra crunch.

8. Spiced Gingerbread Cupcakes with Eggnog Frosting

A quintessential holiday treat, combining gingerbread flavors with creamy eggnog.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup molasses
• 1/4 cup rum or eggnog (optional)

Process:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line the cupcake tins.
2. Cream butter and brown sugar, then mix in eggs, milk, and molasses.
3. Combine dry ingredients, add to wet, and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Make it Unique: Add a splash of rum to the batter for an adult twist.

9. Gingerbread Fudge Cupcakes

These cupcakes are a chocolate lover’s dream, infused with gingerbread spice and rich fudge.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 cup hot water

Process:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin.
2. Beat together butter and sugar, adding eggs, cocoa, and molasses.
3. Slowly add hot water to the batter, then combine with dry ingredients. Bake for 20 minutes.

Make it Unique: Add a fudge filling before baking for a gooey heart.

10. Maple Gingerbread Cupcakes

The rich flavor of maple syrup perfectly complements traditional gingerbread.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ½ cup milk

Process:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare the cupcake tin.
2. Cream together butter and sugar, add eggs and maple syrup, then milk.
3. Combine dry ingredients, mix, and fill liners halfway to bake for 18-20 minutes.

Make it Unique: Add a handful of chopped pecans for an added crunch.

11. Gingerbread Cheesecake Cupcakes

A delightful two-in-one dessert that combines gingerbread and cheesecake.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 cup cream cheese, softened

Process:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin.
2. Beat the butter and sugar, add eggs, and molasses, blending well.
3. Fill each liner halfway, add a spoonful of cream cheese on top, then bake for 18-20 minutes.

Make it Unique: Swirl a bit of caramel into the cream cheese for an extra touch.

12. Gingerbread Cookie Dough Cupcakes

These cupcakes are perfect for those who can’t decide between cookie dough and cake!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• ½ cup molasses

Process:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare the cupcake tin.
2. Cream together butter and sugar, then add eggs, chocolate chips, and molasses.
3. Mix the dry ingredients, combine, and fill liners, then bake for 20 minutes.

Make it Unique: Swap chocolate chips for other candies like butterscotch for a fun twist.

The holidays are the perfect time to embrace the delightful flavors of gingerbread. With these 12 scrumptious cupcake recipes, there’s a little something for everyone. So, whip up one (or all) of these delicious treats, fill your home with that cozy, spiced aroma, and share the holiday joy with family and friends!