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    Home » Recipes » Desserts (Baked) » Gingerbread Cupcakes & Eggnog Frosting recipe

    LAST UPDATED: December 16, 2020 • FIRST PUBLISHED: December 3, 2020 By Toni Dash 18 Comments

    Gingerbread Cupcakes & Eggnog Frosting recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Gingerbread Cupcakes title image

    Gingerbread Cupcakes topped with creamy Eggnog Frosting are a perfect winter or holiday dessert recipe. They are easy to make and combine classic holiday flavors into one delicious dessert!

    Gingerbread Cupcakes title imageIf you are a fan of Gingerbread Cake, Gingerbread Men or Eggnog you will love these Christmas cupcakes! 

    Deeply spiced gingerbread cupcakes topped with whipped creamy eggnog frosting. A perfect seasonal flavor combination!

    Gingerbread is a classic winter food. It’s full of warm spices like ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. 

    Darker sweeteners like dark brown sugar and molasses, give is a cozy comfort food feel. 

    Paired with the classic holiday drink, eggnog, this flavor duo packs a flavor punch you’ll love.

    gingerbread cupcakes with eggnog frosting on cake pedestal

    Recipe Ingredients + Notes

    Gingerbread Cupcakes

    Unsalted Butter. Be sure it’s room temperature before beginning the recipe.

    Dark Brown Sugar. This sugar gives that deep flavor gingerbread is known for.

    Molasses. A key ingredient in gingerbread for sweetness and flavor.

    Milk. We used whole fat dairy milk for this recipe to give it richness. Lower fat dairy milk could be substituted too. You could even substitute Half and Half or heavy cream if desired.

    Eggs. They help give the cupcakes structure and bind the ingredients.

    All Purpose Flour. Regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend can be used. For gluten-free baking we love Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 Flour Blend.

    Baking Soda and Baking Powder. This combo helps the cupcakes rise perfectly.

    Salt. We love kosher salt which has a better, less salty, flavor.

    Spices. Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves and Nutmeg. These spices give the signature gingerbread flavor along with the molasses.

    gingerbread cupcakes with eggnog frosting close up

    Eggnog Frosting

    Unsalted Butter. Start with room temperature or softened butter.

    Salt. A pinch of salt in sweet frosting is a old flavor trick. It makes the sweet flavor of the frosting pop without adding any saltiness!

    Eggnog. Homemade eggnog or store bought eggnog can be used!

    Vanilla Extract. Gives warm vanilla flavor.

    Rum Extract. This is optional but replicates the flavor of boozy eggnog without the booze.

    Confectioner’s sugar. Powdered sugar is the type of sugar used when making frosting.

    Nutmeg. Used to sprinkle on top of the frosted cupcakes for traditional eggnog flavor.

    gingerbread cupcakes with eggnog

    How to Make it – Step-by-Step

    Making the Gingerbread Cupcakes

    STEP 1. Preparation.

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Add liners to a 12-cavity muffin tin.

    STEP 2. Mix the Wet Ingredients.

    In a large bowl (or bowl of a standing mixer) cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (3 minutes).

    Add the molasses, eggs and milk (photos 1-3) and mix until fully combined.

    gingerbread cupcakes recipe steps 1-4

    STEP 3. Mix together the Dry Ingredients.

    In a separate bowl mix all the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices (photo 4).

    STEP 4. Combine ingredients.

    Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients (photo 5). Mix just until combined (photo 6). DO NOT OVERMIX.

    gingerbread cupcakes recipe steps 5-8

    STEP 5. Scoop and Bake the cupcakes.

    Scoop the batter into the prepared pan filling the cavities no more than 2/3s full (photos 7 and 8).

    Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean (photo 9).

    STEP 6. Cool cupcakes.

    Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack completely before frosting.

    Making the Eggnog Frosting

    STEP 7. Make the Frosting.

    Cream together the butter and salt. Use a standing or hand held mixer (photo 10).

    Scape bowl and add the eggnog, vanilla extract and rum extract (if using) (photo 11). Mix.

    Add the powdered sugar slowly, 1 cup at a time (to avoid spraying) (photo 12). Beat until the desired consistency is achieved (photos 13 and 14).

    gingerbread cupcakes recipe steps 9-12

    STEP 8. Frost the cupcakes.

    The frosting can be spread or piped on. 

    For piping: Spoon the frosting into a piping bag equipped with a preferred tip (Wilton 1M tip)(photo 15).

    Add a sprinkle of nutmeg to the top of the cupcakes (photo 16).

    gingerbread cupcakes recipe steps 13-16

    How to Make Mini Gingerbread Cupcakes

    If you’d like to make mini cupcakes instead, follow the directions using a mini muffin pan and mini baking liners.

    Bakes for 10-12 minutes and cool completely before frosting.

    Will yield close to 30 cupcakes.

    How to Make Ahead

    The cupcakes can be baked, cooled and store in an airtight container at room temperature the day before frosting.

    The frosting can also be made and stored in an airtight container the day before. 

    On the day of frosting allow the frosting to warm at room temperature. It can be mixed again to make it lighter if needed.

    Frost and store the cupcakes as recommended.

    Storing the cupcakes

    After frosting the cupcakes store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    gingerbread cupcakes with eggnog frosting on plate

    More Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Boozy Gingerbread Eggnog Bread Pudding
    • Eggnog Pie
    • Gingerbread Brandy Milk Punch (vegan)
    • Eggnog Magic Cake
    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    Gingerbread Cupcakes title image

    Gingerbread Cupcakes with Eggnog Frosting

    Gingerbread cupcakes are brimming with warm winter spices. Topped with Eggnog Frosting makes them a perfect dessert for the holiday season.
    5 from 19 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Estimated Cooling Time Before Frosting: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    Servings: 12 cupcakes
    Calories: 453kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
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    Ingredients

    Gingerbread Cupcakes

    • ½ cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter softened
    • ½ cup Dark brown sugar
    • ½ cup Molasses
    • ½ cup Milk
    • 2 Eggs
    • 1 ½ cup All Purpose Flour regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend
    • 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
    • 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
    • 1 ½ teaspoon Ginger
    • 2 teaspoon Cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon Cloves
    • ½ teaspoon Nutmeg

    Eggnog Frosting

    • ½ cup (1 stick) Unsalted butter softened
    • 1 pinch Kosher salt
    • ¼ cup Eggnog
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 1/4 teaspoon Rum extract optional
    • 4 cups Powdered sugar
    • Nutmeg for sprinkling on top of the frosting

    Instructions

    Gingerbread Cupcakes

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add liners to cupcake pan(s).
    • In a medium sized bowl or bowl of a standing mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
    • Add in molasses, milk, and eggs and mix until incorporated.
    • In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices (ginger, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg). Mix until just combined.
    • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat just until mixed (do not overmix).
    • Scoop the batter into the cupcake liners filling each liner about 2/3s full.
    • Bake in over for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on cooling rack before icing.

    Eggnog Frosting (make while cupcakes are cooling)

    • Cream together butter and salt using a mixer.
    • Scrape down bowl with a spatula and mix in eggnog, vanilla and rum extract (if using).
    • Add in powdered sugar, slowly, 1 cup at a time, until desired consistency is achieved. NOTE: more eggnog may be added if the frosting is too stiff (dry).
    • Once desired consistency is reached, turn mixer on high and beat frosting for 3-5 minutes (this is easiest with a standing mixer using the paddle attachment). This will make your frosting really light and fluffy.
    • Spoon frosting into a piping bag equipped with a favorite piping tip (these cupcakes were frosted with a Wilton 1M tip).
    • Frost cooled cupcakes and sprinkle with ground nutmeg before the icing sets. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 453kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 175mg | Potassium: 284mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 60g | Vitamin A: 560IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
    « Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe (Instant Pot recipe)
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katie says

      December 21, 2020 at 10:28 am

      5 stars
      Such a delicious combination!! It’s like Christmas in a cupcake! And that frosting is so incredibly tasty!

      Reply
    2. Kevin says

      December 08, 2020 at 9:06 am

      5 stars
      I can smell this just thinking about them! I cannot wait to bake up another batch!

      Reply
    3. Stephanie Manley says

      December 04, 2020 at 12:07 pm

      5 stars
      These are perfect for the holidays. I have some holiday picks I can’t wait to use on these.

      Reply
    4. Beti says

      December 04, 2020 at 10:44 am

      5 stars
      I am so excited about these gingerbread cupcakes! They were incredibly delicious!

      Reply
    5. katerina says

      December 04, 2020 at 10:43 am

      5 stars
      mmm..these cupcakes are amazing! Perfect for the holidays!

      Reply
    6. wilhelmina says

      December 04, 2020 at 10:21 am

      5 stars
      This may be the perfect holiday cupcake! I love these flavors together, just so festive!

      Reply
    7. Vikki says

      December 03, 2020 at 10:13 pm

      5 stars
      What a lovely flavor combination! Gorgeous cupcakes, perfect for the holidays

      Reply
    8. Sara Welch says

      December 03, 2020 at 2:04 pm

      5 stars
      Adding this to my baking line up for this holiday season! Can smell those delicious gingerbread aromas! Yum!

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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