Gingerbread muffins with cream cheese icing are the perfect Christmas bake! Delicious and easy to make they're a real festive treat!
Folks do you agree with me that Christmas isn't the same without gingerbread? You do? Well then you need to make these delicious gingerbread muffins with cream cheese icing!
They’ve got a delicious moist and soft center and sweet festive tones of ginger and cinnamon.
I've already got a gingerbread loaf cake recipe here if you're interested, but not a festive gingerbread muffin recipe.
So as I love making muffins I thought I should share this, my favourite Christmas muffin recipe with you!
Topped with cream cheese icing and festive decorations, kids (and big kids) will love these!
To make these gingerbread muffins as Christmassy as possible you're going to need the cupcake cases and edible cupcake decorations.
You can find the links for where I buy mine in the equipment list in the recipe card further down.
These muffins would be great at a kids Christmas party.
We like to save ours to enjoy on Christmas day morning though with a hot Christmas themed drink whilst opening our presents.
Even though these gingerbread muffins with cream cheese are designed as a festive treat they are only 287 calories per muffin.
I use as little sugar as possible and as usual in my cake recipes I have replaced the butter with a sunflower oil and no fat yogurt combination.
This combination helps to make sure the muffins are still moist even though butter isn't used.
Of course you can leave out the cream cheese icing topping if you want an even lower calorie muffin but it is Christmas after all! Enjoy!
Easy Step By Step How To Make Gingerbread Muffins With Cream Cheese Icing
- Pre-heat oven to 180C (Fan) and line chosen muffin tray with paper cases.
- Place flour into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the baking powder and caster sugar.
- In a smaller Pyrex mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, oil and yogurt together. Then stir in the cinnamon and ground ginger.
- Using a plastic spatula gradually fold the wet egg mixture into the dry flour mixture to make a batter.
- Divide the mixture equally between the paper cases then bake in the centre of your oven for approximately 20 minutes. Use a skewer to check they are cooked.
- Allow to cool a little in the muffin tray before removing and allowing to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Top with cream cheese icing.
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Gingerbread Muffins With Cream Cheese Icing Recipe
Not only are these gingerbread muffins delicious but whilst baking they make your whole house smell festive too!
If you want you can make the muffins go further by turning them into Christmas cupcakes instead and using a 12-hole muffin tin instead of the 6-hole one.
I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂
Gingerbread Muffins With Cream Cheese Icing Recipe
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This means that if you click on it and then buy that product I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).
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Equipment
Ingredients
For The Gingerbread Muffins: -
- 180 g self-raising flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 75 g caster sugar
- 2 eggs
- 50 ml sunflower oil
- 4 tablespoon no fat yogurt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon ground ginger
For The Cream Cheese Icing: -
- 20 g unsalted butter softened
- 30 g icing sugar
- 50 g cream cheese
Instructions
Gingerbread Muffins
- Preheat oven to 180C (Fan) and line a 12-hole cupcake / 6-hole muffin tin with paper cases.
- In a large mixing bowl add the flour, baking powder and caster sugar.
- In a smaller Pyrex glass bowl whisk the eggs, oil, and yogurt together. Then stir in the cinnamon and ground ginger.
- Using a plastic spatula gradually fold the wet egg mixture into the dry flour mixture to make a batter.
- Spoon the mixture equally between the paper cases.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until the muffins have risen and are golden brown. Check they are fully cooked inside by inserting a toothpick into one and ensuring it comes out clean.
- Transfer the muffins onto a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.
Cream Cheese Icing
- In a glass Pyrex bowl beat together the butter and icing sugar.
- Mix the cream cheese in with a wooden spoon.
- You can either spoon the cream cheese icing onto the cupcakes or you might want to put the icing into the fridge for 20 minutes to firm it up a little before piping it onto the muffins.
Chef Mimi
These are really sweet! You’re very talented!
Neil
Wow! Thanks Mimi. What a complement. I think I'm more just obsessed with food! Ha ha 😀
sherry
i love cream cheese icing but i think i'd have to double this recipe! 🙂 I like lots!
Neil
Yep! I can totally understand that Sherry. Just tweek the recipe card servings for the number you want to make and it'll change the recipe ingredients quantities for you!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
Absolutely agree - Christmas isn’t the same without gingerbread! (Abd peppermint.) These muffins look and sound delicious, and this cream cheese icing is a great addition. I also love that the muffins and especially the frosting don't appear overly sweet so you can still appreciate and enjoy all other flavours!
Neil
Thanks Ben. I did actually think about doing butter icing but it was healthier (and actually much tastier) with the cream cheese frosting! Hope you are well and have a great Christmas!
David @ Spiced
I absolutely agree that Christmas just isn't the same without gingerbread! And you know what? I haven't made anything gingerbread yet this year - shocking! I'm thinking these muffins would be a fun way to celebrate one of these holiday mornings. I love the little decorations you added on top, too!
Neil
Thanks David. These muffins would be a great way to start off ANY morning! Ha ha!
Michelle
Ack, you're reminding me that I haven't made any gingerbread this year! These muffins look like they'll fit the bill though! Love the addition of the cream cheese icing, adds such a delicious tanginess!
Neil
Ha ha! You can't beat gingerbread at this time of year Michelle! You'll love the cream cheese addition on these muffins. It makes them sing!! 🙂
Charlie DeSando
There's just something about icing that makes a cupcake or doughnut so much better
Bravo!!
Neil
Absolutely Charles. And this isn't any ordinary icing. Hope you have a good Christmas!!
Jeff the Chef
These muffins look terrific Neil! I've only made gingerbread once, and it was many, many years ago. I don't know why, though - because I love it. You've inspired me to make it again. I'm not a cupcake fan, but I think I could try making this recipe in a loaf pan.
Neil
Thanks Jeff. Hope you get a chance to make these muffins or my other gingerbread loaf cake recipe. You'd love it!
Jeff the Chef
I definitely will. I like to take my lunch to work, and I love bringing muffins to work.
Raymund
Gingerbread on your end is similar to Bibingka in the Philippines, its synonymous to Christmas and it wont be complete without it. That gingerbread muffin looks moist and delicious, love the cute toppings too
Neil
Thanks Raymund. Hope you enjoy your Bibingka!