Martha Stewart's Gingerbread Cupcakes without Cookie Cutouts (#20)

First of all, Layla wishes everyone a happy National Cupcake Day!
I just couldn't resist creating a snow scene with my cupcakes this week. My sister, Robin, gave me one of her cameras and it has this awesome lense that allows me to get very fine photos of my "little people."
The cupcakes were very easy to make...and they taste awesome~!
Here are links to my other Xmas cupcakes that you might enjoy:

http://52cupcakes.blogspot.com/2008/12/xmas-08-vanilla-cupcakes-with-vanilla.html

http://52cupcakes.blogspot.com/2007/12/peppermint-brownie-cupcakes-with-pink.html

http://52cupcakes.blogspot.com/2006/12/vanilla-vanilla-cupcakes-with-snowmen.html

http://52cupcakes.blogspot.com/2006/12/vanilla-marshmallow-cupcakes-with.html

"http://52cupcakes.blogspot.com/2006/11/dark-dark-chocolate-holiday-mini.html

http://52cupcakes.blogspot.com/2005/12/week-33-martha-stewarts-snowball.html

Martha Stewart Gingerbread Cupcakes:
Makes 12
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1 cup unsulphered molasses
2 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
1 recipe Butter Glaze

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12 muffin tins with paper baking cups, and set aside. In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a boil. In a bowl, combine boiling water and baking soda; set aside. In a large bowl, sift together flour, ground spices, salt, and baking powder; set aside.
In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter until light. Beat in the brown sugar until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in the molasses, baking-soda mixture, and flour mixture. Beat in the eggs.
Fill the cupcake papers three-quarters full, making sure that the batter is divided evenly. Bake cupcakes until a toothpick inserted in the center of them comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cupcakes cool a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

Hope you have a great week!

CQ & Layla