I know it is not quite December, but who cares I am getting all festive with these ginger flavour cupcakes. I popped to my local Sainsbury's and was really impressed with their Christmas cake decorating range. There were foiled cupcake cases, ready made frosting and beautiful sugar decorations that allow you to make stunning looking cupcakes in a small amount of time.


There are lots of different gingerbread style cupcake recipes around which all seem quite complicated. I decided I would devise a simple recipe and I am pleased to say it worked really well. I just used my usual cupcake mixture but substituted the caster sugar for light brown sugar and added a couple of tablespoons of ginger powder to give them a lovely festive warmth.

To make 12 cupcakes you will need:

4oz butter
4oz light brown sugar
4oz self raising flour
2tbsp ginger powder

For the topping I used

Sainsbury's vanilla frosting
Sainsbury's gold stars
Sainsbury's gingerbread men cake decorations

Start by pre heating the oven to 180C.

Mix all the cake ingredients together. I put the butter in the microwave for 20s to make this a little easier. Divide the mixture into the cupcake cases. I use an ice cream scoop to measure this out.

Cook the cake for 10-12 minutes and remove when a skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool.

Use a piping bag to swirl the frosting onto the cupcake. (Don't worry if you don't have your own icing bag set, they sell disposable ones in Sainsbury's too!)


Finish the cupcakes with a gingerbread man decoration and a few golden stars.


The cupcakes have a lovely warmth thanks to the ginger and are perfect for a Christmas party. What quick and easy recipes do you have for Christmas?