Ginger Muffins

There’s nothing like homemade ginger muffins to conjure up feelings of coziness, especially during the holiday season. Gingerbread muffins are the ideal winter treat when paired with a cup of coffee, a mug of hot cocoa or a festive cocktail (and they also make your home smell absolutely amazing when they’re in the oven). Learn how to make the tastiest ginger muffins using this tried-and-true recipe, and prepare to be in the holiday spirit, no matter the time of year.

Ingredients for Ginger Muffins

• Canola oil: Using canola oil reduces the amount of saturated fat in the recipe.
• Sugar: In addition to the sugar in the butter, you could sprinkle a tiny bit of coarse sugar on the tops of these muffins before baking, for a sweet crunch.
• Brown sugar: Packed brown sugar adds a richness and notes of caramel to these muffins. Yum!
• Molasses: When combined with the spices, molasses is what gives these muffins their gingerbread flavor.
• Egg: Be sure to bring the eggs to room temperature, as egg yolks and egg whites break up more easily when slightly warm.
• All-purpose flour: Be sure to measure the flour accurately with a spoon and level the flour to ensure it’s not overmeasured.
• Baking soda: Always use fresh baking soda (if your baking soda is older than three months, it’s time to buy a new box).
• Ground cinnamon: Cinnamon pairs nicely with the gingerbread flavor in this gingerbread muffin recipe.
• Ground ginger: Ground ginger has a slightly peppery flavor that goes well with cinnamon.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the wet ingredients

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl, beat the oil and sugars. Then beat in the molasses and egg.

Step 2: Add in the dry ingredients

Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Stir this dry mixture into the molasses mixture, alternating with the water.

Step 3: Fill muffin cups and bake

Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool the muffins in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack. 

Ginger Muffin Variations

• Add a hint of citrus: You could add a dash of fresh orange or lemon zest into the batter, or even make a lemon glaze to drizzle over your ginger muffins. The citrusy-bright flavors of lemon and orange pair well with these muffins.
• Use different spice combinations: Nutmeg and cloves go hand in hand with cinnamon and ginger. Try adding these spices in to the original recipe, or experiment with different combinations of spices to see which you like best.

How to Store Ginger Muffins

Let your ginger muffins cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

How long do gingerbread muffins last?

When stored properly, ginger muffins will last four to five days.

Ginger Muffin Tips

How do I make ginger muffins healthier?

You could use coconut oil in place of sugar and whole-wheat flour in place of all-purpose flour (just be aware that the muffins will be a bit more dense).

Is it possible to overbake ginger muffins?

Yes, it’s possible to overbake these (in which case they become dry and tough). Be careful to follow the recipe bake time to a tee. You can also stick a toothpick in the center of the muffin to check if it’s ready; if the toothpick comes out clean, the muffin is done.

Can I add a topping to ginger muffins?

Aside from a lemon glaze, a maple-cinnamon glaze is absolutely delicious on ginger muffins.