Description
These Gingerbread Latte Cupcakes are moist, warmly spiced, and topped with a luscious espresso cream cheese buttercream. Perfect for the holidays, they bring together classic gingerbread flavor with a coffeehouse twist, making them a cozy and festive dessert everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 3/4 cup molasses
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons brick-style cream cheese (chilled)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Optional: Ground cinnamon for garnish
- Optional: Mini gingerbread cookies for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 16 cupcake cavities with paper liners.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, mix together oil, eggs, molasses, and vanilla until smooth. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients alternating with the buttermilk. Mix just until combined.
- Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full with the batter. Bake for 18 minutes or until domed and springy to the touch.
- Remove from oven and cool in the pan briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat the butter and chilled cream cheese together until smooth using the paddle attachment.
- Slowly add powdered sugar one cup at a time with the mixer on low.
- Add espresso powder, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Whip on high speed for 3–5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Pipe the frosting onto cooled cupcakes using a 1M piping tip. Sprinkle with cinnamon and top with mini gingerbread cookies if desired.
Notes
- Use chilled cream cheese to maintain frosting consistency.
- Do not overfill cupcake liners to ensure nice domes.
- Fresh spices make a noticeable difference in flavor.
- Store frosted cupcakes in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For a stronger coffee flavor, increase espresso powder slightly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg