Gingerbread Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Gingerbread is a classic holiday flavor. I actually had never had gingerbread until I met Hubby. I guess it just wasn’t part of my eating background growing up. A few years ago I made some gingerbread cut out cookies that had a lemon cream cheese frosting piped onto them. I was remembering those cookies when I decided to make these cupcakes. I’m entering these cupcakes into Baking Bites Holiday Cupcake Contest (and just barely in time since entries are due by midnight tonight!)

I love these cupcakes because they have very festive sprinkles, (I love sprinkles), festive colors, and festive flavors. For the frosting, I made a lemon cream cheese frosting. Lemon actually pairs really well with gingerbread even though most people gave a weird look when I told them the frosting flavor.

I mentioned the festive colors. Not only are the sprinkles red and green, but the cupcake liners are as well. I love the vibrant colors of these liners and I’m hoping Santa brought me some more, because I’m starting to run low.

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Gingerbread Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Yield: 24

Ingredients:

For the Gingerbread Cupcakes
1 1/2 c flour
2 Tbsp ground ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 1/2 c (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temp
1 1/2 c sugar
3 Tbsp molasses
4 eggs, at room temp
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 stick unsalted butter
4 cups confectioners' sugar
Zest of 1 lemon, grated
2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Directions:

For the Gingerbread Cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350. Line muffin tins with paper liners.

Sift flour and spices together and set aside.

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add molasses and beat until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until combined. Beat in vanilla. With mixer on low, add flour mixture until just combined.

Fill each muffin tin ~3/4 full. Bake ~25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
With an electric mixer on medium, beat the cream cheese and butter until softened. Slowly add the sugar, zest, and juice and beat until creamy, about 3 minutes.

Gingerbread Cupcakes recipe from Martha Stewart
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting recipe adapted from 52 Cupcakes

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12 Responses to “Pumpkin and Chocolate Caramel Corn”

  1. #
    1
    Kris — October 30, 2009 at 1:38 pm

    I think I’m going to have to try this recipe this weekend. Thanks for posting it!

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    2
    stephchows — October 30, 2009 at 2:17 pm

    what a great idea using the kisses!

  3. #
    3
    Molly Jean — October 30, 2009 at 10:19 pm

    What a great twist on caramel corn!

  4. #
    4
    nutmegnanny — October 30, 2009 at 10:41 pm

    This is perfect for Halloween…delicious!

  5. #
    5
    We Are Not Martha — October 31, 2009 at 2:18 am

    Mmm I’ve seen this in a few places and have been craving it!! I didn’t realize it used the pumpkin kisses 🙂

    Sues

  6. #
    6
    bridget {bake at 350} — October 31, 2009 at 12:40 pm

    Now, this is a FUN idea!!! Pumpkin + popcorn, who knew? 😉

  7. #
    7
    Anne — October 31, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    Wow that looks amazing and the last photo is stunning!

  8. #
    8
    TidyMom — October 31, 2009 at 2:17 pm

    ok, this is the second post using those kisses – HOW have I not seen them in the store???……I think I try and stay away from the candy section! LOL

    This sounds AMAZING!! Thanks!!

    ~TidyMom

  9. #
    9
    Melissa — October 31, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    I love the pumpkin spice kisses. What a great way to use them. Thanks for sharing and I am definitely going to try this recipe!

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    10
    oneordinaryday — November 1, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    I keep seeing great ideas using those kisses and they’re always being melted first. Genius. I’m going to try this, but with air popped popcorn instead. Sounds awesome.

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    11
    Ingrid — November 2, 2009 at 6:55 pm

    You’re right about those Kisses, one is enough. I used some in brownies and they were even better than eating them straight out of the wrapper.

    Love your popcorn and I have some of those kisses left over.
    ~ingrid

  12. #
    12
    Liesl — November 3, 2009 at 9:31 pm

    This recipe looks amazing!! I love those Pumpkin Spice Kisses!

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