Gingerbread Streusel Muffins

Warm gingerbread muffins with a crunchy streusel topping, perfect for a cozy morning treat. Save
Warm gingerbread muffins with a crunchy streusel topping, perfect for a cozy morning treat. | chenkudos.com

Enjoy warmly spiced gingerbread muffins enhanced by a crunchy cinnamon streusel topping. These moist muffins combine aromatic spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg with rich molasses and brown sugar to create a balanced sweetness. The streusel adds a crispy texture and buttery aroma, perfect for breakfast or snacks. Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients, they bake quickly and pair well with butter or cream cheese. A touch of orange zest can brighten the flavor, making them a delightful treat year-round.

Discovering these gingerbread muffins felt like stumbling upon a cozy secret—warm spices filling the air and that crunchy cinnamon streusel topping sealing the deal for perfect fall mornings.

I remember the first time I nailed these muffins: surprise visitors showed up just as the kitchen began smelling like ginger and cinnamon—talk about perfect timing and instant comfort.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: The reliable base that gives these muffins their tender yet sturdy texture.
  • Ground ginger and cinnamon: Spices that bring warmth and festive cheer in every bite.
  • Unsulphured molasses: Acts like sweet magic that deepens the flavor and keeps them moist.
  • Brown sugar: Adds a rich sweetness that blends beautifully with the spices.
  • Cold unsalted butter: For the streusel topping, it creates that irresistible crunchy texture you look forward to.

Instructions

Get Everything Ready:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your muffin tin so you're all set to bake without last minute scrambles.
Mix the Dry Spices:
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg until you have a fragrant, even mix—it smells like the holidays already.
Combine the Wet Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, blend the brown sugar, molasses, eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract until silky smooth; the rich molasses aroma will make your mouth water.
Bring it Together:
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet; the batter should look thick and luscious without overmixing so your muffins stay tender.
Prepare the Streusel:
Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and ginger, then cut in the cold butter until crumbly—this clumpy topping is where the magic meets crunch.
Bake and Cool:
Fill muffin cups 2/3 full, sprinkle streusel on top, then bake for about 18 to 20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool slightly before enjoying.
Golden-brown gingerbread muffins, fresh from the oven, offering a delightful spiced aroma. Save
Golden-brown gingerbread muffins, fresh from the oven, offering a delightful spiced aroma. | chenkudos.com

One chilly afternoon, sharing these muffins became more than just a snack—they turned into a cozy celebration with friends gathered around, sharing stories and laughter.

Keeping It Fresh

These muffins stay moist for a couple of days if stored in an airtight container. You can refresh them by warming briefly, which revives that lovely soft texture and awakens the spices.

Serving Ideas That Clicked

Try spreading a bit of cream cheese or butter while they’re still warm; the contrast between tangy creaminess and sweet spice is truly something special.

A Time This Recipe Saved the Day

Once, unexpected guests dropped by just as I was about to start dinner. These muffins baked quickly and filled the kitchen with warmth, turning a scramble into a memorable moment.

  • Before you leave your kitchen, remind yourself to double the recipe—it goes faster than you think.
  • Oh, and one more thing, keep extra molasses on hand; it enriches so many warm desserts.
  • Lastly, don’t skip the streusel—it's the little crunch that wins hearts.
Picture these delicious gingerbread muffins, topped with a sweet, crumbly streusel for a snack. Save
Picture these delicious gingerbread muffins, topped with a sweet, crumbly streusel for a snack. | chenkudos.com

Thanks for spending some kitchen time here—can’t wait for you to try these and make your own cozy memories.

Recipe FAQs

Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg create the warm, aromatic spice blend that characterizes these muffins.

Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and ginger with cold diced butter; mix until crumbly before sprinkling on muffins.

Molasses provides a deep, rich sweetness; you may substitute with honey or dark syrup, but flavor and texture might vary.

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to maintain freshness and moisture.

To make dairy-free, replace whole milk with plant-based milk and use a dairy-free butter alternative for the streusel.

A muffin tin with liners or greasing, mixing bowls, whisk, pastry cutter or fork for streusel, and a cooling rack are ideal.

Gingerbread Streusel Muffins

Moist gingerbread muffins with a crunchy cinnamon streusel topping for cozy mornings or festive occasions.

Prep 15m
Cook 20m
Total 35m
Servings 12
Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

Muffins

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Streusel Topping

  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and diced

Instructions

1
Prepare Oven and Muffin Tin: Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or coat with nonstick spray.
2
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
3
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk brown sugar, molasses, eggs, whole milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4
Incorporate Dry into Wet: Add dry mixture to the wet ingredients and gently fold until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
5
Fill Muffin Cups: Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
6
Prepare Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and ginger. Cut in cold unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or fork until crumbly.
7
Add Streusel to Muffins: Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over each filled muffin cup.
8
Bake: Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9
Cool: Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Additional Information

Equipment Needed

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • 12-cup muffin tin
  • Paper liners or nonstick spray
  • Pastry cutter or fork
  • Wire cooling rack

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories 230
Protein 3g
Carbs 37g
Fat 8g

Allergy Information

  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy (butter, milk).
Lina Chen

Sharing simple, nourishing recipes and practical cooking tips for food lovers and fellow home cooks.