Gingerbread Cupcake

There's nothing more comforting than the smell of gingerbread.  From gingerbread cookies to gingerbread houses, it's a Christmas classic that needs to be represented as a faking fancy cupcake!  It's a heart-warming smell that takes you back to your childhood and Christmases past.  For this Christmas classic flavour you'll need...

• White Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water, but no water required for this one)
• 1 Cup of Molasses (this will replace some of the water your cake mix calls for)
• Milk (to replace the rest of the water called for) 
• 1 tablespoon of Ginger
• 1 teaspoon of Cinnamon (plus a little to sprinkle over the top of the cupcake as garnish)
• 1 teaspoon of Cloves (you can go a little less on this if you like less spicy gingerbread)
• Store bought Vanilla or White Icing
• Butter (room temperate...around 1/2 cup....but it's up to you)
• Icing Sugar (optional)
• Garnish Ideas: Cinnamon Stick, Small Gingerbread Person, Shaved Cinnamon 

And here's the festive fun recipe...

Step 1: Preheat your oven as directed on the cake mix package.  Add all the ingredients your White Cake Mix calls for EXCEPT for the water.  Instead of the water, replace one cup of the called for amount with Molasses and top the rest off with Milk.  So, if your recipe calls for 1 1/3 cup of water, add one cup of Molasses and 1/3 of a cup of Milk.

Step 2: Now it's time to add in some classic Christmas spices to your batter - 1 tablespoon of Ginger, 1 teaspoon of Cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of Cloves.  If you like a less spicy gingerbread, use only 1/2 to 3/4 of a teaspoon of Cloves.  Mix the ingredients together until smooth, spoon the batter into your cupcake liners and bake as directed on the package.  Once they are done baking, let them cool completely before icing.

Step 3: Since the cupcake has a lot going on, I went for a very basic vanilla icing.  You could use whipped cream if you'd like.  For my vanilla icing all you need to do is mix together the vanilla icing and butter on high until smooth.  Mix well and add some icing sugar if it's not sweet enough for you or too buttery.

Step 4: It's assembly time.  Ice your cupcake with any method you prefer - piping bag, knife, spoon...whatever.  Top it with the garnish of your choice.  I shaved some cinnamon over top and topped it with a small piece of cinnamon stick.  I'm making them again this week and will probably use a gingerbread cookie for double the gingerbread fun.     

Happy Faking!