Find 10 of the best Easy Cupcake Recipes from classic options to unique flavors to satisfy your sweet tooth for every occasion and season!
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Cupcakes are one of my favorite desserts. They’re just so versatile, and everyone loves them, especially kids! You can dress them up with a pile of luscious fruit-flavored buttercream frosting like I do in these beautiful and delicious Easy Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes. Or, you can add in cozy seasonal spices as I do in these Easy Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes.
You’ll notice that the main theme here is easy! Whether you choose a batch of s’mores-inspired cupcakes or red velvet cupcakes, you’ll be able to put these recipes together without any fuss. This means you’ll have more time to enjoy eating them!
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1. Lemon Cupcakes
Bright bursts of lemon infuse every bite of these fluffy Lemon Cupcakes made with a boxed cake mix. You’ll add lemon juice to the mix for flavor, and top the cupcakes. Then, we top the treats with a lemony homemade buttercream frosting with, you guessed it, more lemon juice. These cupcakes are nice in springtime, but they’re so good you could serve them all year round!
2. Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes
These Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes recipe features lemon cupcakes topped with a pretty pink strawberry buttercream frosting. I love the combination of sweet strawberry and tart lemon! They’re perfect for baby showers, graduation parties, barbecues, and when you need a refreshing treat.
3. Coconut Cream Cupcakes with Homemade Buttercream Frosting
If you love coconut, these Coconut Cream Cupcakes are just what you need! We start with a cake mix as the base and add a few extra mix-ins. Then, we top the fluffy cupcakes with homemade buttercream frosting and shredded coconut flakes. It’s a fun treat that will delight coconut fans of all ages!
4. Lemon Drop Cupcakes
One of our favorite easy cupcake recipes, these Lemon Drop Cupcakes are inspired by the lemon drop martini! Pair them with the drink for a standout dessert. Make them with or without the alcohol for everyone to enjoy!
5. Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Don’t get me wrong, I love classic carrot cake. However, my favorite way to enjoy the dessert is with these easy Carrot Cake Cupcakes! Made from scratch, they’re soft, fluffy, and full of sweet flavor. Top them with tangy cream cheese frosting and toasted nuts. You’ll have handheld treats no one can resist!
6. Red Velvet Cupcakes
Red Velvet Cupcakes are so simple to make you’ll probably never buy them from a bakery again! I love how the buttermilk in the cake recipe keeps the cupcakes light and fluffy, and they have an absolutely irresistible cream cheese frosting on top. This recipe makes 24 cupcakes. So, they’re perfect for sharing or bringing to a class party!
7. Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
Pumpkin desserts are a must during the fall, and this recipe for Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes is beyond perfect for the season. I top the cupcakes with a decadent cream cheese frosting—pumpkin and cream cheese just go so well together! Don’t be surprised when you find yourself making them all year long.
8. Pumpkin Cupcakes with Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Frosting
You can never have too much pumpkin, right? These sweet Pumpkin Cupcakes are flavored with warm spices and real pumpkin puree. Topped with a spice-infused whipped cream cheese frosting, they have all the pumpkin spice flavor you crave in an easy to make recipe.
9. S’mores Cupcakes
Who says s’mores should be saved just for camping? When you make these S’mores Cupcakes you can enjoy the fun of s’mores anytime you want, no campfire required. Dark chocolate cupcakes—made from a box mix for easy prep—are baked on a graham cracker crust and topped with a marshmallow cream frosting for all the familiar s’mores flavors you love.
10. Chocolate Candy Cane Cupcakes
I love to serve these Chocolate Candy Cane Cupcakes around the holidays! The contrast of the rich chocolate and cool crunchy peppermint candy is amazing, and these always disappear quickly at holiday parties!
Cupcake Recipe FAQs
Cupcakes should generally be baked at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, but this depends on the recipe you’re making. It’s always best to follow the recipe instructions!
Moisture is key for a delicious cupcake! To keep your cupcakes moist, be sure to use the right ingredients and avoid overbaking them. Also, adding some extra fat (such as oil or butter) to the recipe can help create a moister consistency.
The type of frosting you use for cupcakes will depend on the flavor and style you’re aiming to achieve. For a classic look, go with buttercream or cream cheese frosting. Other popular options include ganache, meringue, and fondant. Whichever type of frosting you choose, make sure it pairs well with the flavors in your cupcakes!
The answer to this depends on personal preference and time constraints. If you have more time and want complete control over ingredients, making cupcakes from scratch can yield great results. However, if you’re short on time and want an easy way to make cupcakes, box mixes are a great option. Or try a doctored cake mix for the best of both worlds!
The shelf life of cupcakes will vary depending on the type of frosting they have. Unfrosted cupcakes can last up to three days at room temperature. Meanwhile, those with a buttercream or cream cheese frosting can last up to five days. If you’d like your cupcakes to last longer, try storing them in the fridge.
Yes, cupcakes can definitely be frozen! To freeze your cupcakes, let them cool completely and then wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped cupcakes in a freezer-safe container or bag. Store them in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy your cupcakes, allow them to thaw at room temperature before serving.
That tends to fall to personal preference, but the tie is between vanilla and chocolate! There are going to be mixed answers whoever you ask. Although, if it were up to me, I’d say that the frosting is one of my favorite parts of any cupcake flavor!
If your moist cupcake recipe turns out dry, there’s a good chance that you overmixed the ingredients. If this is the case, just be careful to only mix until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can result in dry and crumbly cupcakes.
Not everyone likes frosting and that’s perfectly fine! You can also add whipped cream, powdered sugar, a drizzle of hot fudge or caramel, marshmallow fluff, or anything else you’re craving!
Did you try any of these easy cupcake recipes? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
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