Earnshaw opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a 30-yard volley that had Stoke keeper Ed de Goey floundering.
Stoke equalised against the run of play before Earnshaw popped up in the 70th minute to slot beyond the diving de Goey after the visitors' defence had been opened up by skipper Graham Kavanagh.
Ten minutes later the points were sealed when Stoke failed to clear a corner and Gabbidon made no mistake with his first goal of the season.
Earnshaw was very pleased with his double particularly as he now leaves to join the Wales squad for their Euro 2004 play-off in Russia.
"My first goal was definitely the best I have scored this season.
"We were disappointed to give them an equaliser but we were always confident we would come through and win.
"My second goal was a team effort as it came from a Stoke corner.
"It's good to leave on international duty following a win like this and also scoring a couple."Stoke Manager Tony Pulis felt that his side deserved a point after battling away for most of the game.
"I thought it was a good open game in which we played well. I have a very young side and we feel desperately disappointed to have lost, but both of Earnshaw's goals were very well taken.
"Cardiff are an experienced side who cost a lot of money but I was pleased with the way we matched them for long periods."Stoke looked as though they may hang on to a point after Kris Commons had equalised when he beat two Cardiff players on the edge of the area before firing a crisp shot just inside the right-hand post, but they reckoned without Earnshaw, who took his season's tally up to 19.
Bluebirds boss Lennie Lawrence felt that the most pleasing aspect was to come back after Stoke had equalised.
"Their goal had taken the wind out of our sails and that hasn't happened to us very often but we bounced back in fine style.
"Earnshaw's first goal was phenomenal because he hit it so early and their keeper never moved."