Are you searching for the perfect holiday dessert that combines festive flavors with stunning presentation? Look no further than these Winter Spice Cupcakes! Bursting with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, these cupcakes capture the essence of the season in every bite. Topped with a rich cream cheese buttercream frosting, they’re ideal for Christmas dinner recipes, holiday parties, or simply enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa by the fireplace.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about making these show-stopping Winter Spice Cupcakes from scratch. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting your holiday baking journey, this recipe will guide you through each step with clarity and confidence.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Winter Spice Cupcakes
These cupcakes aren’t just another dessert they’re a celebration of holiday flavors! Here’s what makes them absolutely irresistible:
- Perfectly spiced: The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves creates a warm, comforting flavor profile that screams Christmas.
- Ultra-moist texture: Thanks to the addition of sour cream and oil, these cupcakes stay tender and moist for days.
- Cream cheese frosting: The tangy sweetness of cream cheese buttercream perfectly complements the spiced cake base.
- Easy to make: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you’ll have bakery-quality cupcakes in under an hour.
- Perfect for gifting: Package these beauties in festive boxes for the ultimate homemade Christmas gift.
What You’ll Need: Ingredients Breakdown
For the Spice Cupcakes
| Ingredient | Amount (US) | Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|
| Unsalted butter, room temperature | 1/2 cup (1 stick) | 113g |
| Light brown sugar, packed | 3/4 cup | 150g |
| Granulated sugar | 1/4 cup | 50g |
| Large eggs, room temperature | 2 | 112g |
| Full-fat sour cream, room temperature | 1/2 cup | 125g |
| Vegetable or canola oil | 1 Tbsp | 14g |
| Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste | 1 tsp | 4g |
| All-purpose flour | 1 1/4 cup | 160g |
| Baking powder | 1 tsp | 4g |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 tsp | – |
| Fine salt | 1/2 tsp | – |
| Ground nutmeg | 1/4 tsp | – |
| Ground ginger | 1/4 tsp | – |
| Ground cloves | 1/8 tsp | – |
For the Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
| Ingredient | Amount (US) | Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|
| Unsalted butter, room temperature | 1/2 cup (1 stick) | 113g |
| Full-fat cream cheese, room temperature | 1/4 cup | 56g |
| Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste | 1 1/2 tsp | 6g |
| Fine salt | 1/4 tsp | 1g |
| Powdered sugar | 2 1/2 cups | 312g |
| Heavy cream or milk, room temperature | 1 Tbsp | 15g |
How to Make Winter Spice Cupcakes: Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Spice Cupcakes
- Preheat and prep: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugars: Use a hand mixer to beat 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar on high speed for 2 minutes. The mixture should become lighter in color as air is whipped into it.
- Add the eggs: Mix in 2 large eggs, one at a time, on medium speed. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula. If the batter looks broken at this stage, don’t worry! It’ll come together once you add the dry ingredients.
- Incorporate wet ingredients: Add in 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 Tbsp oil, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed until combined.
- Add dry ingredients: Sift in 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp fine salt, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, and 1/8 tsp ground cloves. If you don’t have a sifter, whisk the dry ingredients together in a separate bowl, then add them.
- Mix until combined: Mix on low until just combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula. The batter should be thick and fluffy!
- Fill and bake: Divide the batter evenly between the liners, filling them about 2/3 way full. Bake for 18-21 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely: Let the cupcakes cool for 10 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling. If you want to accelerate the cooling process, pop the pans into your freezer for about 30 minutes.
Making the Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
- Beat butter and cream cheese: Beat 1/2 cup of room-temperature butter and 1/4 cup of cream cheese on medium speed for 30 seconds with a hand mixer or stand mixer and paddle attachment until smooth.
- Add flavorings: Mix in 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and 1/4 tsp salt on low speed.
- Incorporate powdered sugar: Gradually mix in 2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar on low speed. Halfway through, add 1 Tbsp of heavy cream to make the frosting easier to mix. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
- Achieve perfect consistency: Mix on low for a couple of minutes until the ingredients are fully incorporated and smooth. If the frosting seems too thick, add additional cream (1 Tablespoon at a time). If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar (1/4 cup at a time).
- Smooth it out: Once the frosting is made, stir it by hand with a rubber spatula for a couple of minutes to make the frosting super smooth. Place the frosting in a large piping bag fitted with your favorite frosting tip (Ateco 869 works beautifully).
Decorating Your Winter Spice Cupcakes
Pipe large, beautiful swirls onto the fully cooled cupcakes. Dust with a bit of cinnamon for that extra festive touch and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Perfect Winter Spice Cupcakes
- Room temperature ingredients are key: Make sure your butter, eggs, sour cream, and cream cheese are at room temperature for the smoothest batter and frosting.
- Don’t overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined to keep your cupcakes tender.
- Use fresh spices: For the best flavor, use fresh ground spices rather than ones that have been sitting in your pantry for years.
- Invest in a kitchen scale: Baking by weight ensures consistent, professional results every time.
- Fill evenly: Use an ice cream scoop to portion batter evenly between liners for uniform cupcakes.
- Test for doneness: A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean, for the most moist cupcakes.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
Room temperature: Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: Due to the cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
Freezer: Unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and frost before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different frosting?
Absolutely! While cream cheese buttercream pairs beautifully with the spices, you could also use vanilla buttercream, cinnamon buttercream, or even a maple frosting.
Can I make these cupcakes dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute plant-based butter, non-dairy sour cream, and non-dairy cream cheese. The results will be slightly different but still delicious.
Why do my cupcakes sink in the middle?
This usually happens due to overmixing the batter or opening the oven door too early. Mix gently and wait until at least 15 minutes before checking on them.
Can I add mix-ins to these cupcakes?
Definitely! Try folding in chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or even dried cranberries for extra texture and flavor.
How do I know when the cupcakes are done?
The tops should spring back when lightly touched, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! This recipe doubles beautifully. You’ll get approximately 24 cupcakes when doubled.
Final Thoughts
These Winter Spice Cupcakes are the ultimate addition to your holiday baking repertoire. They’re perfect for Christmas party food, holiday treats, Christmas dinner ideas, or any festive occasion throughout the winter season. The warm spices combined with the creamy frosting create a flavor experience that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating your family to something special, these cupcakes deliver on both taste and presentation. The best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers!
Ready to fill your kitchen with the incredible aroma of holiday spices? Grab your ingredients and start baking these show-stopping Winter Spice Cupcakes today. Your friends and family will thank you, and you’ll have a new go-to recipe for every holiday season to come!
Pin this recipe for later and share it with your fellow baking enthusiasts! Happy holidays and happy baking!