There’s no reason to limit cupcakes to just vanilla or chocolate; put a festive spin on the traditional cupcake with gingerbread! With aromatic spices such as ginger, cinnamon and allspice, these gingerbread cupcakes are perfect for fall and holiday baking. And a generous swirl of the creamy, rich, citrus-cinnamon cream cheese frosting perfectly balances the deep and dense flavors of the gingerbread.

I had forgotten how much I loved to bake. That is, until I left ordering a large batch of cupcakes too late and was left to my own (once quite practiced) baking devices on the eve of my daughter’s third birthday party. Three kiddies tucked neatly into bed, hubby out for a couple of hours with the guys, and donning a black-on-black embroidered cotton summer frock, I hoisted out my dust-covered Cuisinart mixer.