Everyone loves cupcakes! They are perfect for any occasion – birthdays, christenings, weddings, baby showers, bridal showers, Christmas, Easter, summer garden parties – whatever you are celebrating there will be a perfect recipe to suit the festivities.
Cupcakes are fun to make and decorate, and easy to serve as they are already portioned out and you don’t need to worry about slicing a cake.
The cases make them easy to eat with your fingers without needing a fork, which makes them the perfect party food. They are the perfect portion size- if you have the willpower to stick to just one!
Remember not to overfill the cupcake cases or the cakes will rise too high and look messy. Make sure you wait for the cakes to cool before you decorate them to make sure the buttercream doesn’t melt.
There are so many recipes available online that when you are looking for which cupcakes to make it can be difficult to find the right recipe for you.
To make it easier for you to find your ideal cupcake recipe, we have put together a list of 35 of the best ones we could find. Whether you want something simple or fancy, delicate or packed with flavour, there will be something for everyone on this list.
Vanilla Cupcakes
Vanilla cupcakes are simple but delicious and an easy crowd pleaser for parties and large gatherings. This recipe also ensures that the cakes will last for several days and retain their flavour and moist sponge, so if they don’t all get eaten right away you won’t end up wasting any!
It also gives you the option to choose from three different toppings- vanilla buttercream, vanilla frosting, or swiss meringue buttercream.
Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
This recipe is perfect for a garden party as the strawberries provide a sweet summery flavor that is totally mouthwatering. The pretty pink color makes these cupcakes a beautiful addition to any party table or buffet.
Make sure you choose good quality strawberries for the best possible flavor it is best to make this recipe when the strawberries are in season.
Strawberry & Nutella Cupcakes
This recipe, also called ‘Cupid’s Cupcakes’, would be a wonderful Valentine’s Day bake. The sweet strawberries complement the rich, chocolatey Nutella and the striped frosting is stylish and effective, especially when all of the cupcakes are placed together on the plate.
You can use pink or brown cupcake cases or a mixture of both to complete the look.
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Red velvet cake is the perfect combination of chocolate and rich cream cheese frosting. The vibrant red color makes these cakes eye-catching and perfect for a festive gathering.
Sprinkling some cake crumbs onto the icing really highlights the colors and makes the cakes look even more delicious. Your family and friends will love this recipe and it is one you will return to again and again.
Pumpkin Cupcakes With Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
These cupcakes have the perfect amount of spice that is nice and warm but not overpowering. The maple cream cheese frosting is sweet and rich and contrasts perfectly with the spices in the sponge.
Make these tasty cakes for your thanksgiving gathering to really get into the fall season and impress your loved ones. They would also make a lovely dessert for a harvest celebration.
Chocolate Cupcakes
One of the issues with chocolate cupcakes is that they can sometimes be a bit dry, but not these cupcakes! This recipe focuses on making sure the cakes are moist and packed with rich chocolate flavors.
If you are a chocoholic and you fancy a sweet treat then this is the perfect recipe for you. Enjoy them with a mug of cocoa for an extra special experience.
Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
If you love mint chocolate chip ice cream then you will definitely love these cupcakes. They are beautifully decorated with striped frosting and dotted with chocolate chips.
Use brown cupcake cases if you want a more subtle look, or you could go with green for a more colorful style. The mint is not too strong and is well balanced with the chocolate to create a lovely flavor with every bite.
Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes
Lemon and blueberry are both known for being tangy fruits and in this recipe they come together to add another layer of flavor to the sweet cupcakes, cutting through the richness. They are zingy, fluffy, and topped with colorful blueberries and grated lemon zest for a perfect finish.
Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Sweet carrots, warm spices, and rich cream cheese frosting- what a perfect combination of flavors! The crushed walnuts on top add a lovely crunchy texture and a rustic appearance.
Enjoy these cupcakes on a Sunday afternoon with a mug of coffee as you settle down in your favorite armchair for some ultimate comfort.
Triple Chocolate Cupcakes
These triple chocolate cupcakes are ideal for chocolate lovers as they combine milk and dark and white chocolate in one amazing recipe.
They are topped with a strawberry dipped in chocolate for a luxurious finish. Make these cupcakes for date night dessert to impress your partner or as a tasty treat for your friends.
Hazelnut Chocolate Cupcakes
This recipe is incredibly tasty and is perfect for anyone who is obsessed with hazelnuts. The rich chocolatey sponge has a praline paste center and is topped with hazelnut frosting and sprinkled with chocolate shavings.
They look amazing and if you love Nutella then you will definitely enjoy these cupcakes as they taste very similar.
Banana Split Cupcakes
Banana split is such a classic dessert that never seems to dwindle in popularity. It’s perfect for using up ripe bananas and the colorful sprinkles on top add a real element of fun. Topped with a maraschino cherry and packed with sweet banana flavors, these cupcakes are just delicious.
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cupcakes
With a moist chocolate sponge topped with rich cream cheese frosting and finished off with chocolate chips- these cupcakes are so delightful. The addition of ground coffee in the sponge adds a depth of flavor which really lifts these cupcakes above and beyond other chocolate cupcake recipes.
Hummingbird Cupcakes
These cupcakes combine pineapple and banana for a sweet tropical flavor. Use overly ripe bananas for an extra sweet flavor, and the pecans create a crunchy texture.
You can garnish these cupcakes with a small wedge of pineapple to complete the look. These are the ideal dessert for a BBQ or garden party and you can even serve them with some cocktails.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes
The chocolate-covered strawberry is a food associated with romance and luxury, and these cupcakes are a celebration of this. They would be a fantastic choice for Valentine’s Day or a romantic anniversary.
The chocolate sponge is moist and topped with strawberry frosting. It takes a little bit of extra time to make the chocolate-dipped strawberries drizzled with pink chocolate, but it really does add a special touch.
Margarita Cupcakes
When the sun is shining and you are feeling relaxed it is the perfect time to sit back and enjoy a margarita in the garden.
These cupcakes are the confectionary equivalent and have the same fun summery flavors. Fresh lime and light sponge make them easy to indulge in and there is even an option for a non-alcoholic version.
Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes
If you enjoy an Irish cream coffee then these cupcakes will be right up your street. They are indulgent and the use of strong coffee and espresso powder gives them a lovely rich bitterness which contrasts with the creamy baileys. They are topped with chocolate sprinkles which makes them totally irresistible.
Southern Peach Cobbler Cupcakes
Peach cobbler is a very popular dessert, especially in the Southern states. It is nostalgic, comforting, and a firm favorite at family gatherings.
These cupcakes are a twist on the classic recipe, taking all of those much-loved flavors and putting them in a wonderful, fluffy cake topped with buttercream and a slice of peach.
Dulce De Leche Mocha Cupcakes
This unique recipe combines the luxurious flavor of dulce de leche caramel with the rich coffee chocolate kick of mocha for an indulgent and satisfying mouthful. The flavors are well balanced and the unexpected filling in the cupcake is a lovely surprise.
Lemon Cupcakes
Sometimes the simple flavors are the best, and this cupcake recipe is no exception! The sponge is light and fluffy, and with lemon juice and lemon zest, this recipe is packed with flavor.
Pink Champagne Cupcakes
These cupcakes are beautiful with a delicate flavor and they are ideal for a bridal shower or birthday party. The sponge and the frosting both contain pink champagne, and the pretty pink decoration is really attractive.
When it comes to choosing your champagne, go for whichever one you like best. It won’t really make a big difference to the cupcake flavor as only a little bit is used in the recipe.
Sticky Toffee Cupcakes With Salted Caramel Buttercream
Sticky toffee pudding is a lovely, indulgent dessert and this cupcake is the perfect embodiment of that. The light muscovado sugar, dates, and vanilla extract create a sweet and sticky sponge with a rich flavor. Top with a light buttercream and salted caramel sauce drizzled elegantly for a smart finish.
Chocolate Biscoff Cupcakes
These cupcakes combine caramelized biscuit flavors with rich chocolate to make a real treat for your tastebuds. The chocolate sponge has a secret biscoff filling and is topped with a biscoff buttercream. If you really want to impress, then top them with a biscoff biscuit half dipped in chocolate.
Ferrero Rocher Cupcakes
Ferrero Rocher chocolates are a popular choice to provide to guests at parties, and these cupcakes are a step up from that. They are elegant and fancy and they taste fantastic. If you really want to complete the look then use gold cupcake cases to really set them off.
Marble Cupcakes
The chocolate and vanilla in this recipe are marbled to create a beautiful appearance that looks as good as it tastes. They would make a great dessert for any special occasion, and once you unwrap the cupcake case you will see the full effect of the marbled sponge.
Apple Pie Cupcakes With Cinnamon Buttercream
Apples and cinnamon are a classic combination because they go so well together. The cinnamon buttercream is delicious and light and the apple sponge tastes so comforting and sweet. You will find it hard to resist having only one of these tasty cupcakes.
Pina Colada Cupcakes
Pina Colada is one of the most well-known and loved flavors of summer. These cupcakes will make you feel like you are on holiday with the tropical flavors of pineapple and coconut. Top them with a cherry and some coconut flakes to make them look and taste even better.
Coffee Walnut Cupcakes
Coffee and walnut cake is a simple but wonderful combination of flavors that makes for an excellent cupcake. The coffee isn’t too overpowering and the walnuts have an excellent crunchy texture. If you want a sweet breakfast then one of these cupcakes would be perfect with a latte or a cappuccino.
Confetti Cupcakes
These cupcakes are a fun twist on the classic vanilla cupcake, adding a pop of color to both the sponge and the frosting. You can choose whichever color you want for the frosting, but pink is recommended in the recipe. Less is more when it comes to the color as it creates a lovely subtle shade.
Banana Cupcakes With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Banana cake is sweet and full of flavor and these cupcakes are no exception. The warm spices of the cinnamon frosting contrast with this sweetness to create a balanced flavor. The rich color of the sponge looks lovely against the white buttercream.
White Wedding Cupcakes
Cupcakes make a lovely alternative to a classic layered wedding cake. They are decorated simple but beautiful and would look elegant on a cake stand at a wedding celebration.
Coconut Cupcakes
The sweet and nutty flavor of coconut really shines through in this cupcake recipe which uses coconut cream and shredded coconut to create the perfect flavor and texture with every mouthful.
The vanilla buttercream balances well with the coconut and you can decorate the cakes with desiccated coconut, shredded coconut, or a bit of both!
Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes
These cherry cheesecake cupcakes are summary and sweet with a lovely texture, but you can enjoy them at any time of year. A vanilla wafer crust is used to recreate the cheesecake. Remember to chill them before you serve them to really make the most of the flavor.
Key Lime Cupcakes
Key lime pie is a classic American dessert that is recreated perfectly in this cupcake recipe. It’s the perfect blend of tangy and sweet with a nice light sponge. The green color is vibrant and attractive and if you pair it with a fancy cupcake case it will set the whole look off nicely.
Raspberry And White Chocolate Cupcakes
The sweetness of the white chocolate contrasts with the tangy sharpness of the raspberries in this delicious recipe. Top them with a whole raspberry for a cute decoration. The fresh raspberries in the sponge lift the flavor to another level and add moisture.
