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    Home » Recipes

    Candied Ginger Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

    Published: Oct 22, 2020 · Modified: Jan 27, 2023 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

    These Candied Ginger Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect dessert for any holiday celebration. Made from scratch using clove, cinnamon, applesauce, and candied ginger in the batter, these cupcakes are nice and moist with a hint of spice!

    candied ginger cupcakes with candied ginger and sprinlkes on top of cream cheese icing
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This cupcake recipe is my old Gingerbread Cupcake recipe updated! A few minor changes and more candied ginger for delicious, moist, and spicy cupcakes that are perfect for any holiday party or celebration.

    I originally had this recipe paired with my Gingerbread Martini, which is another delicious holiday treat you should check out!

    candied ginger cupcake with cream cheese frosting

    Ingredients for Candied Ginger Cupcakes

    • all-purpose flour
    • baking soda
    • salt
    • ground ginger
    • cinnamon
    • ground cloves
    • freshly grated nutmeg
    • unsalted butter
    • sugar
    • vanilla extract
    • egg
    • unsweetened applesauce
    • candied ginger (see recipe below)

    How to Make Cupcakes with Candied Ginger

    1. Preheat oven to 350° and prepare a cupcake pan with liners.
    2. Sift the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg into a bowl and set aside. Sifting is important here because the ginger, cloves, and nutmeg can create clumping.
    3. Add the room-temperature butter to your mixer bowl and beat until creamy and smooth. Add the sugar and continue to mix for 2 more minutes. Mix in the vanilla and egg and then add the apple sauce. Fully combine everything.
    4. Add the dry ingredients to the mixer and mix just until combined. Add the candied ginger pieces and mix them in by hand.
    5. Scoop the batter into the cupcake liners and bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

    What is Candied Ginger?

    Candied ginger, also known as Crystalized Ginger, is fresh ginger that has been cooked in water and sugar and then dried so that it crystalizes from the sugar. The ginger still has its spice bite, but the sugar balances the strong flavor to make a delicious treat. Check out my full recipe and tutorial HERE or in the recipe card.

    Ginger is also good for you! Research has also shown ginger to be effective in treating upset stomachs, nausea and morning sickness, motion sickness, lowering cholesterol, reducing inflammation, and more. Of course, always consult a doctor before trying any of these health remedies.

    Easy Cream Cheese Frosting

    Everyone needs a basic cream cheese frosting in their baking arsenal. Cream cheese frosting is great because it's a little less sweet than regular buttercream which helps enhance the flavor of the baked good you are putting it on. I use shortening in this recipe to make the frosting pipeable.

    To make the cream cheese frosting, place the cream cheese and shortening in a stand mixer or mixing bowl and beat at medium speed. Mix in the vanilla. Add the powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time, until nice and smooth. Add the cream or milk to get your desired consistency.

    candied ginger cupcake with candied ginger on top

    How to Decorate the Cupcakes

    Cupcakes are fun because you can decorate them in so many ways and they don't all have to be the same. You can pipe the frosting on with your favorite tip or just spread it on with a spatula. Top the cupcakes with candied ginger pieces, sprinkles, or even a dusting of pumpkin pie spice (which is basically a mix of the spices you used in the cupcakes).

    Notes and Tips for Candied Ginger Cupcakes

    • You can use store-bought candied ginger if you didn't want to make your own.
    • The cupcake recipe can be used to make a bread loaf as well, you will just need to cook it longer and increase your oven temp by 25 degrees.
    • Orange is another flavor that works really well with ginger and gingerbread flavors. If you don't have candied ginger or don't enjoy a strong ginger flavor, candied orange peel or orange zest would be a great alternative.
    • You can substitute butter for shortening in the frosting. As I mentioned, I wanted a little more structure to the frosting for piping which is why I used shortening. 
    candied ginger cupcake with gold sprinkles
    candied-ginger-cupcake-with-candied-ginger-on-top

    Candied Ginger Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

    These Candied Ginger Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect dessert for any holiday celebration.
    5 from 16 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 12 cupcakes
    Author: EmilyFabulous

    Equipment

    • stand mixer or hand mixer
    • cupcake pan
    • cupcake liners
    • frosting bag and frosting tip
    • large mixing bowl
    • sifter

    Ingredients

    Cupcakes

    • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
    • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temp
    • 1 cup sugar
    • ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 large egg, room temp
    • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
    • ⅓ cup candied ginger (see recipe below)

    Cream Cheese Frosting

    • ½ cup cream cheese
    • ½ cup shortening
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 cups powdered confectioners sugar
    • 1-2 tablespoon heavy cream or whole milk

    Instructions

    Gingerbread Cupcakes

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a cupcake pan with liners.
      cupcake pan with cupcake liners
    • Sift flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg into a bowl and set aside. Sifting is important here because the ginger, cloves, and nutmeg can cause clumping in the flour.
      dry ingredients for ginger cupcakes
    • Add the butter to your mixer bowl and beat until creamy and smooth. Add the sugar and continue to mix for 2-3 more minutes. Put in the vanilla and egg and continue mixing. Add the apple sauce and fully combine everything (it gets a little curdled effect here but that is normal).
      wet ingredients for ginger cupcakes
    • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Add the candied ginger pieces and mix them in by hand.
      candied ginger being mixed into batter for ginger cupcakes
    • Scoop the batter into the cupcake liners and bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
      baked candy ginger cupcakes on a cooling rack

    Cream Cheese Frosting

    • In a large bowl or mixer, add the cream cheese and shortening and beat together until nice and smooth. Mix in the vanilla. Add the powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time, until nice and smooth. Add the cream or milk to get the consistency you like. I only needed 1 tbsp.
      cream cheese frosting for pumpkin bread in a bowl
    • Place the frosting in the fridge for about 20 minutes so it firms up before piping. Once the cupcakes have cooled, frost, add edible decorations, and enjoy!
      candied ginger cupcakes

    Video

    Notes

    • This batter makes 12 cupcakes and there is a little batter leftover so I was able to make 8 mini cupcakes as well. 
    • You could use store-bought candied ginger if you don't want to make your own.
    • This cupcake recipe can be used to make a bread loaf as well, you will just need to cook it longer and increase your oven temp by 25 degrees.
    • You can sub butter for shortening in the frosting. 

    Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

    candied ginger cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and different sprinkles on top
    Click on the image above to PIN for later!

    Did you Make these Candied Ginger Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting?

    If you get a chance to make these Candied Ginger Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, snap a pic and tag me on Instagram or Facebook! I love to see my recipes in real life! You can also sign up for my mailing list and follow me on Pinterest so you never miss a recipe or update!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mama Maggie's Kitchen says

      October 28, 2020 at 8:27 am

      5 stars
      This dish looks so deliciously good. I wish I could eat that right this minute!

      Reply
    2. Chef Dennis says

      October 28, 2020 at 8:11 am

      5 stars
      These cupcakes are really mouthwatering! I super love the frosting!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        October 28, 2020 at 3:37 pm

        Thanks, Dennis, frosting is the best!

        Reply
    3. Leslie says

      October 27, 2020 at 5:22 pm

      5 stars
      Great use of flavor combinations for this recipe! Cream cheese icing is the best in my opinion! I love the added touch of the candied ginger pieces as well!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        October 27, 2020 at 9:39 pm

        Thanks, Leslie! I totally agree cream cheese frosting is one of the best!

        Reply
    4. Audrey says

      October 27, 2020 at 3:41 pm

      5 stars
      I LOVE candied ginger! Yum

      Reply
      • Emily says

        October 27, 2020 at 4:47 pm

        Me too, it's so good and good for you!

        Reply
    5. Marina says

      October 27, 2020 at 2:58 pm

      5 stars
      Love this cupcakes! Will definitely try out this recipe, sounds delicious

      Reply
      • Emily says

        October 27, 2020 at 3:29 pm

        Thank you, Marina! I hope you get a chance to make them.

        Reply
    6. kerri says

      October 27, 2020 at 1:39 am

      5 stars
      it's so hard for me to get through making these without eating all the ginger!!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        October 27, 2020 at 3:02 am

        LOL, Kerri, I can totally relate! Candied ginger is such a yummy treat on its own.

        Reply
    7. Amy says

      October 26, 2020 at 11:03 pm

      5 stars
      We're getting ready for the holidays and doing some menu planning. This is perfect!

      Reply
    8. Alexandra says

      October 26, 2020 at 10:36 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely love ginger - and these cupcakes are delicious, and look so beautiful when decorated!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        October 26, 2020 at 10:44 pm

        I love ginger too! I'm not sure if everybody does but these cupcakes will work for everyone. Those who don't like strong ginger flavor can skip the candied ginger topping!

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. 31 Awesome Thanksgiving Desserts Recipes That You Can't Miss says:
      October 26, 2020 at 11:51 pm

      […] 20. Candied Ginger Cupcakes […]

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