Mini Gingerbread Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

I have been in my kitchen for three weeks straight. Baking, candy making, creating the packaging, and making my list of who gets what. On top of that, I have catered two events, made gingerbread houses with 55 kids, taught 25 five year olds how to make potato latkas, lastly, made two dishes representing our heritage and holiday family traditions(kugel and doughnuts) for both Isaac and Levi’s multi cultural feast at school.

After today, I am officially padlocking my kitchen door.  I don’t want to see another stick of butter, a whisk, not even my tea pot, for days. Tonight is Levi’s birthday and I couldn’t deny him his favorite meal (grilled chicken, black beans, rice, and guacamole) along with his requested birthday cake. After that, I am on hiatus.

One of the events that I catered this week was a holiday mixer.  Laura left the goodies up to me and her only request was that there was enough of everything for 45 woman.  I made the dream bars, the sable dough, and the candied cranberries in advance. The morning of (at the crack of dawn), I made these adorably delicious gingerbread cupcakes.

Up until yesterday, I was not a huge gingerbread fan. I am a convert.  As I watched all the ladies pop these in their mouths, not unlike a shot of tequila, and witnessed their reactions, I needed to try at least one.  As I walked out the door, with my platters in hand, I grabbed just one.  So sorry I only grabbed one…could have eaten at least two more!

 

Mini Gingerbread Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting


Ingredients

for the cupcakes:
1 1/4 cups(5.5oz.) whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2(2 oz.) stick of unsalted, organic butter
1/2 cup(3.5 oz.) orgnaic, white cane sugar
1/2 cup(4 oz.) unsulfured molasses
1 large egg, beaten lightly
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2(4 oz.) cup boiling water

for the frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
2 oz. unsalted butter, room temperature
2 1/4 cup(9.9 oz.) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 tsp. rum
1 tsp. grated orange zest
2 tsp. fresh squeezed orange juice

for the candied cranberries:
3/4 cup fresh cranberries
1 1/2 cup organic, white cane sugar
6 Tbsp. water

Instructions

for the cupcakes:
• preheat oven to 350*. line 40 mini muffin tins with paper liners. set aside.
• in a medium bowl, sift the whole wheat pastry flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and salt.
• in the work-bowl of your electric mixer, cream the 2 ounces of butter until smooth. add the sugar and beat until creamy.
• in a medium bowl, whisk the molasses and the egg.
• in a glass bowl, combine the baking soda and 1/2 cup of boiling water, stir until baking soda dissolves.
• combine the molasses mixture and the baking soda water.
• add to the mixing bowl and beat until combined.
• add the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated. do not over mix.
• using a 1 tablespoon ice cream scooper, scoop into prepared muffin liners.
• bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into one of the cupcakes comes out clean.
• cool on a wire rack.
• frost when cool.
for the frosting
• in a work bowl of your electric mixer using your paddle attachment, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
• add the rum and mix.
• zest the orange right into the bowl and add the fresh orange juice. mix well.
• add the sifted confectioners’ sugar and turn the mixer on low. once incorporated, turn up the mixer and mix to combine. chill for 1 hour or overnight.
• using a pastry bag fitted with desired tip, fill pastry bag and pipe frosting onto each cupcake.
• top each cupcake with a candied cranberry

for the cranberries:
• cook 1 cup of sugar with 4 tablespoons of water in a small, heavy duty saucepan over low heat. stir until the sugar dissolves.
• transfer the mixture to the top of a double boiler.
• add the cranberries and mix well.
• cover the mixture and place over simmering water.
• cook for 45 minutes, stirring a few times.
• remove the top of the double boiler, cover and let the mixture stand at room temperature overnight.
• place 1/2 cup of sugar in a wide bowl.
• drain cranberries into a small strainer.
• add the cranberries to the sugar and coat well.
• place on a parchment lined baking sheet and spread the cranberries in an even layer. let dry out for at least an hour.
• store in the fridge, in a covered container for three days or until ready to use.

The Urban Baker / SusanSalzman.com

More Festive Gingerbread Links:
Gluten Free Gingerbread – Minimally Invasive
Gingerbread House + Royal Icing – Sweetopia
Gingerbread Hostess Cupcakes – Bake at 350
Gingerbread Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Buttercream – Tidy Mom
Espresso Gingerbread Cupcake – Tracey’s Culinary Adventures
Gingerbread Cheesecake – Baked by Rachel

Showing 17 comments
  • Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
    Reply

    I’m tired just reading about your cooking adventures lately! A room of 10 5 year olds is bad enough but 25?! I applaud you. 🙂 These cupcakes are so perfect! Now if only I had one to enjoy for breakfast!

  • Kim
    Reply

    Oh wow! The mini-cupcakes seems to be baked for me. I’m a huge huge fan of gingerbread and I love candied cranberries! I’ll definitly try these next week and I’m sure these will be a hit at work!

  • Amanda
    Reply

    You are the best! I dont know that I could make gingerbread cupcakes at the crack of dawn! 🙂 But I would love to make these this afternoon, or very, very soon!

  • Lucy Lean
    Reply

    You are officially supermom! Hope you get back in the kitchen for the sake of your family and with the holidays in full swing. these cakes look like the perfect treat for a party – thanks for sharing.

  • sally cameron
    Reply

    You are a superwoman Susan. Holy smokes! Take a break, breathe and get some rest, because i’m totally sure no one can live long without you in the kitchen. Love the sound of these cupcakes. You had me at orange frosting. My traditional birthday cake was angel food with orange frosting, Mom made it every year, forever. With her gone. that lovely tradition is too. I’ll have to try your cupcakes as my replacement.

  • Marla
    Reply

    Such fun little cupcakes, especially with those little sugared cranberries on top.

  • Lori @ RecipeGirl
    Reply

    I think I need to candy some cranberries. They look amazing to top desserts with!

  • Laura
    Reply

    These look wonderfully delicious! Where did you get the striped cupcake liners? Would love to get me some of those!

  • Asmita
    Reply

    Absolutely gorgeous! Love them.

  • Reply

    Wow. What a schedule you’ve had! This post got lost on my email. Lovely cupcakes, Susan!

  • Georgia Pellegrini
    Reply

    You had me at these photos but the recipe does look amazing. I also love the sugared cranberries, I’m digging cranberry desserts this season.

  • Patricia Scarpin
    Reply

    These cupcakes are just adorable! Very Christmassy.
    Dear Susan, I wish you and your family happy holidays and that all the good things in life come your way. You’re amazing and I’m lucky I found you! 😀

    xx

  • Julia
    Reply

    These look AMAZING!!!!! I just tried candied cranberries for the first time, whoa, seriously yummy! And what a pretty garnish on a great flavor combo!

    • Susan
      Reply

      I, too, am new to candied cranberries and for the life of me cannot figure out what took me so long! Thanks for stopping by and happy new year to you!

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