When thinking about baking for Christmas I think most everyone (including myself) automatically thinks of cookies. They’re easy to arrange on trays, and hello! That’s what you need to leave for Santa. And everyone knows if you don’t leave milk and cookies for Santa then he might not stop at your house. Obviously, very important consideration needs to be given to cookies. However, the one thing I tend to overlook at the holidays is cupcakes. Such a shame, because once I started thinking about it, they provide a great opportunity to put festive flavors into portable little desserts. Perfect for office potluck parties or gatherings with friends. Since snickerdoodles are one of my all-time favorite Christmas cookies, I thought that transforming their flavor into a cupcake would be awesome. And it totally is.

These taste exactly.like.a.snickerdoodle. Exactly. Which sort of amazes and delights me all at the same time.

Save This Recipe

Enter your email address, and we'll send it straight to your inbox!

The cake part is soft, moist and infused with cinnamon. You know how snickerdoodles don’t just taste like cinnamon cookies, but have that can’t-put-your-finger-on-it unique flavor? Well, these cupcakes capture that flavor to a tee. As a result, I adore them! They are topped with a sweet little kiss of seven minute frosting and then are dusted with cinnamon-sugar.

Christmas cookie in a cupcake. Love it!

Four years ago: Chocolate Chip Tea Cookies

Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

Yield: 28 cupcakes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Snickerdoodle flavored cupcakes
4 (2 ratings)
Print Pin Rate

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

  • 1½ cups (187.5 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups (187.5 g) cake flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1¼ cups (305 ml) whole milk

For the Seven-Minute Frosting:

  • 1½ cups (300 g) plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
  • ⅔ cup (166.67 ml) water
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 6 egg whites, at room temperature

For the Garnish:

  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) ground cinnamon

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Sift together both flours, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
  • With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to low. Add the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of milk, and beating until combined after each.
  • Divide the batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes and frosting. Cupcakes can be stored up to 2 days at room temperature, or frozen up to 2 months, in airtight containers.
  • Make the Frosting: Combine 1½ cups granulated sugar with the water and corn syrup in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Continue boiling, without stirring, until syrup reaches 230 degrees F.
  • Meanwhile, in the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk egg whites on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. With mixer running, add remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, beating to combine.
  • As soon as sugar syrup reaches 230 degrees F, remove from the heat. With the mixer on medium-low speed, pour syrup down the side of the bowl in a slow, steady stream. Raise the speed to medium-high; whisk until the mixture is completely cool (test by touching the bottom of the bowl) and stiff (but not dry) peaks form, about 7 minutes. Use immediately.
  • Using a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip (Ateco #809 or Wilton #1A), pipe frosting on each cupcake: Hold the bag over the cupcake with tip just above the top, and squeeze to create a dome of frosting, then release pressure and pull up to form a peak.
  • Combine the 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Using a small, fine sieve, dust the peaks with cinnamon-sugar. Frosted cupcakes are best eaten the day they are frosted; keep at room temperature until ready to serve.
Calories: 225kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 41mg, Sodium: 68mg, Potassium: 92mg, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 255IU, Calcium: 42mg, Iron: 0.5mg

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!

Author: Michelle Lettrich
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American