Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour 

2 teaspoons baking soda 

1 teaspoon salt 

8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted 

1 1/2 cups sugar 

2/3 cup unsulfured molasses 

2 large eggs 

1/3 cup hot water 

9 ounces (2 pieces, each 6 inches) fresh ginger, peeled and minced (1 cup) 

2 cups heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks 

Ground ginger, for garnish 

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy. Mix in molasses. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition.

Reduce speed to low. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture in 3 additions, alternating with hot water and ending with dry. Scrape sides of bowl. Stir minced ginger into batter. Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full.

Bake cupcakes until testers inserted into centers come out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in tins on wire racks. (Unfrosted cupcakes will keep, covered, for up to 3 days.) Frost with whipped cream, and sprinkle with ground ginger. Serve immediately.