We love cupcakes, and these are our best cupcake recipes yet. Perfect for sharing, these delicious desserts are going to really impress everyone at your gathering. There are plenty of classics (for instance, vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet), but we're also showcasing our Test Kitchen's most creative cupcake recipes to date—and, as a bonus, frosting recipes are included.
Fresh Rosemary and Lemon Cupcakes
For a double dose of refreshing lemon flavor, look no further than this cupcake recipe. Both the cake and the glaze topping in this rosemary-infused cupcake feature the citrus fruit. Save some lemon zest for an easy garnish.
Cherry-Almond Vanilla Cupcakes
This delight is one of our best cupcake recipes for cherry lovers. Pair moist vanilla cake with the irresistible flavors of tart cherries and sweet almonds for a showstopping dessert.
Test Kitchen Tip
To make ahead, place unfrosted cupcakes in a covered, airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days, or freeze for up to one month. Frost them when you're ready to enjoy.
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Spiced Mascarpone Cream Filling
Reconsider pumpkin beyond the traditional pie. With its smooth texture and warm, mellow flavor, the fall-favorite squash shines in this delicious cupcake recipe. A spiced mascarpone frosting and crystallized ginger add a kick, proving this recipe is worthy of year-round indulgence.
Lavender-Honey Cupcakes
When it comes to creative cupcake ideas, this one is a definite winner. Fall in love with this soft and sophisticated lavender confection sweetened with a touch of honey. A simple basketweave piped frosting design provides a professional look.
Candied Bacon-Sweet Potato Cupcakes
Bacon cupcakes? Stick with us here: Crispy bacon, candied to perfection in a cinnamon-sugar mixture, is a surprising and delicious cupcake topper. The cake is super-moist, thanks to the addition of mashed sweet potatoes. And as if the candied bacon weren't impressive enough, surprise—we've spiked the cream cheese frosting with bourbon.
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Bookmark this red velvet cupcake recipe for anytime you want dessert in in a vibrant color. Don't fail to let your eggs and butter stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before making. This allows your cupcakes (and any cupcake recipe, for that matter) achieve the light, fluffy texture you want.
Vanilla Bean-Coconut Cupcakes
Toasted coconut flakes and our vanilla-coconut frosting add elegance to a simple vanilla cupcake recipe for a new take on an old favorite. Ground macadamia nuts provide some extra texture and nutty flavor to the batter.
Churro Cupcakes
When you're craving a churro but don't want to break out the deep fryer, go for this cupcake recipe that's just as delicious. They might not be as crisp (unless you want to add a crunchy topper), but the recipe features the same cinnamon-sugar flavor you love.
Spiked Raspberry-Lemonade Cupcakes
Take your childhood lemonade stand into adulthood. With raspberry liqueur-spiked frosting, this cupcake recipe makes one refreshing dessert.
Choco-Zucchini Cupcakes
The combination of peanut butter frosting and dark chocolate in this cupcake recipe is enhanced with healthy shredded zucchini. As a bonus, the zucchini keeps the cupcakes moist.
Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes
This cupcake recipe is just as amazing as your breakfast favorite but without the need for yeast and proofing time. The sweet filling features an irresistible blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans. With more than 100 positive ratings, it might be one of our best cupcake recipes ever created.
Moscow Mule Cupcakes
A surefire way to improve boxed cake mix is to doctor it up with ginger, lime juice, lime zest, and vodka. This cupcake recipe tastes just like a Moscow mule cocktail.
Neapolitan Cupcakes
If you have so much trouble picking just one flavor of ice cream that you continually fall back on Neapolitan, this cupcake recipe is for you. To achieve that classic three-flavor combination, we've added vanilla, cocoa powder, and strawberry preserves to a white cake mix.
Peanut-Butter Chocolate Twist Cupcakes
Ah, chocolate and peanut butter. Here, the classic combination comes together in a peanut butter cupcake recipe base topped with a creamy swirl of frosting rich in chocolate and peanut butter. Top it all with a peanut butter cup for an adorable (and delicious) finish.
Root Beer Float Cupcakes
This creative cupcake recipe turns your favorite soda into a dessert. Root beer goes right into the batter to give it that rich signature flavor. The float frosting whips together vanilla ice cream, butter, and sugar for a genuinely authentic soda-shop taste.
Pineapple-Carrot Cupcakes
You'll get some serious carrot cake taste from this delicious cupcake recipe. The batter features shredded carrots (buy them pre-shredded to save you prep time) and crushed pineapple. A rich cream cheese frosting serves as the topping for these moist cupcakes.
Lemon-Poppyseed Cupcakes
Simple yet elegant, these tender desserts take the cake. Mirror the zesty flavor in these treats with a light lemon glaze and lemon peel garnish. It'll pair perfectly with your cup of afternoon tea.
Triple-Chocolate Cupcakes
Perfect for the chocolate lovers in the family, this indulgent cupcake recipe includes not just one but three hits of chocolate. Each cupcake is laced with chocolate liqueur and bittersweet chocolate and topped with pillows of dark chocolate-butter frosting.