We have taken a simple, but lightened up, cupcake recipe and added our two favourite Christmas spices, ginger and cinnamon, to make some Christmas Gingerbread Cupcakes that the whole family will love. It wouldn't be Christmas without some kind of gingerbread recipe would it?
Cupcakes always go down well, at least in our house they do, and these gingerbread cupcakes are a must at Christmas time. Subtle notes of cinnamon and ginger, these are spiced to perfection and make a delicious Christmas cupcake.
Topped with a creamy icing and some festive faces, these would be great at a kids Christmas party! These are a great way to create some festive memories and traditions that hopefully they will carry on with their own children too. Feel free to add some extra cinnamon and ginger if you want it more warming and Christmassy.
If you are looking for some more Christmas bakes, then why not try our Healthy Gingernut Biscuits, Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies, Puff Pastry Mince Pies, or Cinnamon Biscuits.
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Why you will love them
- A delicious festive treat - We are all about the baking at Christmas time and these gingerbread cupcakes are one of our favourites. The combination of ginger and cinnamon just screams Christmas!
- Low in calories - Thanks to a couple of healthy swaps (like using Greek yoghurt), these are just 204 calories a cupcake.
- Kids love making them - These are so easy to make, that kids can do most of it themselves. They will love mixing everything up and then licking the bowl and spoon.
Ingredients needed
- Flour - We used plain flour. To make these gluten free, swap it for your favourite brand of gluten free flour.
- Butter - We used unsalted butter for this recipe. It will need to be softened if it has been kept in the fridge.
- Egg - We used medium sized eggs and make sure they are room temperature before baking.
- Sugar - We used caster sugar and light brown sugar. The caster sugar adds some crunch and the brown sugar gives a caramel flavour.
- Yogurt - We like to add this to baked goods where we can, as it helps to make them light and fluffy. This also replaces some of the butter too.
- Vanilla - This adds a lovely warmth to the cupcakes. Vanilla brings out the other flavours.
- Milk - This helps to loosen the mixture a little.
- Salt - Just a pinch brings out the sweetness of the ginger cupcakes.
- Baking powder and Baking soda - These help the gingerbread cakes to rise and make them nice and fluffy.
- Cinnamon and Ginger - The main flavours in these Christmas cupcakes. Feel free to adjust them depending on how much you like those flavours.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make gingerbread cupcakes - Step by step
One: In a large mixing bowl, add the butter, and sugars.
Two: Add the milk, egg, yogurt and vanilla. Beat together until a smooth batter is formed.
Three: In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Pour the wet ingredients in to the dry ingredients and mix well.
Four: Divide the batter between the cupcake cases.
Five: Put in a preheated oven at 200°C/400°F/Gas 6, for 25 minutes.
Six: Top with your favourite frosting (optional; not included in nutritional values)
Christmas flavours
You can't go through the festive period without enjoying a dessert full of some cinnamon and ginger. Not only do these Christmas cupcakes make your whole house smell amazing, but it is delicious too.
Make them extra festive by baking them in some Christmas themed cupcake cases and then putting some cute little Christmas faces on top.
What to serve with Gingerbread Cupcakes
We think these are the perfect afternoon treat with a hot drink. Why not try one of the ones we have on the blog - here are some of our favourites:
- Cinnamon Coffee
- Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Snowman Hot Chocolate
- Cinnamon Mocha
- Chai Tea Latte
Frequently asked questions
You can store these in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, but we don't like the change of texture when they are in the fridge.
You can store the un-iced cupcakes. Individually wrap them and then put them in a freezer bag and they will keep for 2 months.
You can swap the flour for gluten free flour, but it will change the texture.
More Christmas dessert recipes
If you’ve tried these gingerbread cupcakes, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Gingerbread Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 110 g (1 cups) Plain flour
- 60 g (2 oz) Butter - unsalted
- 1 Egg
- 50 g (0.5 cups) Caster sugar
- 15 g (1.25 tablespoon) Light brown sugar
- 60 g (0.25 cups) Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) Vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon Skimmed milk
- 0.25 teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) Sea salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) Baking soda
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Ground ginger
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- In a large mixing bowl, add 60 g Butter, 50 g Caster sugar and 15 g Light brown sugar.
- Add 2 tablespoon Skimmed milk, 1 Egg, 60 g Greek yogurt and 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract. Mix together until a smooth batter is formed.
- In a separate bowl, mix together 110 g Plain flour, 0.5 teaspoon Baking powder, 0.5 teaspoon Baking soda, 1 teaspoon Cinnamon, 1 teaspoon Ground ginger and 0.25 teaspoon Sea salt.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Divide the batter between the cupcake cases.
- Put into the oven for 25 minutes.
- Top with your favourite frosting (optional)
Notes
- Add some chocolate chips for a ginger and chocolate combination.
- To ensure that your cakes are cooked all the way through and don't burn either, use an oven thermometer to make sure it gets to the correct temperature for the recipe.
- Don't over-mix your batter, as this can cause the cakes not to rise.
- This recipe is for just the cupcakes. Feel free to top it with your favourite frosting like chocolate buttercream or cream cheese frosting. To keep with the ginger theme, use ginger icing.
- For some extra cute decoration, add a mini gingerbread man.
Jayne
I honestly have no idea how you find the time to make all these things. They look so delicious - perfect for popping in the freezer to eat over Christmas. Yummy.
Hope you guys at HHH HQ have a wonderful Christmas.
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
Mmm, these cupcakes look delicious. They're so festive & pretty!
Valerie
Do you know I love gingerbread but have never had it in cupcake form? This looks delicious.
Maria @ runningcupcake
These sound lovely- I do love the smell of gingerbread. I like the recipes with bicarb as the batter goes all bubbly.
Anthea
These are my favourite Christmas spices. Just the smell of them makes me feel all christmasy. I made them yesterday and they tasted as good as they smelt.
Ali - We Made This Life
I love gingerbread and these look so yummy! Great that they are a bit healthier than usual too!
Fashion and Style Police
These cupcakes look very tasty. Making me feel like eating cakes.
Baby Isabella
We love ginger and cinnamon:) we tried some of these in Costa the other day....but yours look better!
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These are so festive....yum! I like how you replace some butter w yogurt. A great healthy swap.
Amrita
Delicious recipe.I love everything gingerbread. My daughter has a great time baking them. Will make these again.
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so perfect for the holidays! Love!
Sheri
I would not be able to say no to these. I try to resist sweet things, but no matter how hard I try, when they look this good, I have no choice but to eat, one or two, ok....maybe maybe four. :-)
ellen best
These were scrumptious.
Charlotte
These sound and look amazing! I love gingerbread and I love cupcakes! :) x