Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp vinegar)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the softened butter along with brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
  4. Add eggs one at a time; mix well after each addition. Then add in grated fresh ginger and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture alternately with buttermilk. Start and end with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined; be careful not to overmix.
  6. Scoop batter into prepared cupcake liners about two-thirds full. Bake in preheated oven for about18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool in pan for about five minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
  7. For frosting: In a mixing bowl combine cream cheese and butter; beat on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar while continuing to beat on low speed until incorporated. Add heavy cream/milk and vanilla extract; beat until fluffy.
  8. Once cupcakes have cooled completely,frost them generously using either a spatula or piping bag fitted with your favorite tip.