A four-part image shows a variety of cupcakes: strawberry cupcakes with pink frosting, hummingbird cupcakes, mocha cupcakes with chocolate frosting and sprinkles, and almond cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.

14 Cupcake Recipes

ByAnnie Brown

These cupcake recipes aren’t your standard bakery fare—they’re layered with bold flavors, playful textures, and a few nostalgic twists. Whether you lean fruity, chocolatey, or something totally unexpected, there’s something here that brings a little extra fun to the table.

Some are quick to whip up with pantry staples, while others go the extra mile with infused frostings or surprise fillings. If you’re looking for something more exciting than a box mix, this list delivers.

Hummingbird Cupcakes

A single cupcake with white frosting and pecan pieces sits on a doily on a dark brown surface. More cupcakes and pecan pieces are visible in the background. A cinnamon stick is in the foreground.
Photo Credit: xoxoBella

These Southern-style cupcakes are packed with mashed banana, crushed pineapple, and chopped pecans, then topped with a swirl of rich cream cheese frosting. The batter comes together easily without a mixer, which makes this one a low-effort win. 

Get the Recipe: Hummingbird Cupcakes

Strawberry Coconut Cupcakes

A split image shows several cupcakes with pink frosting and a strawberry on top, displayed in clear plastic cups.
Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits

With shredded coconut folded into the batter and fresh strawberries blended into the buttercream, these cupcakes bring a summery vibe no matter the season. They’re finished with a flurry of toasted coconut on top for a little crunch.

Get the Recipe: Strawberry Coconut Cupcakes

Milk and Cookies Cupcakes

Close-up of several cupcakes with chocolate frosting, chocolate chips, and a mini chocolate chip cookie on top. A small white plate is underneath. Some extra cookies are scattered around the cupcakes. A few cupcakes have a striped straw stuck in them.
Photo Credit: Sugar & Soul

Each cupcake is filled with cookie dough, topped with cookies and cream buttercream, and crowned with a mini chocolate chip cookie. It’s a nostalgic flavor bomb with a soft, bakery-style crumb.

Get the Recipe: Milk and Cookies Cupcakes

Banana Pudding Cupcakes

A split image shows a banana pudding cupcake, whole and then with a bite taken out, revealing a yellow custard filling. Each cupcake is topped with whipped cream, a banana slice, and vanilla wafers. Bananas and additional vanilla wafers are in the background.
Photo Credit: Barley & Sage

These cupcakes are stuffed with banana pudding and topped with whipped cream and a vanilla wafer. The moist banana cake base uses real mashed bananas and buttermilk for extra tenderness.

Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Cupcakes

S’mores Cupcakes

Several chocolate cupcakes are arranged on a rustic wooden cake stand. Each cupcake is topped with chocolate frosting, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and a graham cracker. More cupcakes and graham crackers are visible in the background.
Photo Credit: Simply Stacie

Chocolate cupcakes get a gooey marshmallow center, graham cracker crust, and toasted marshmallow topping. They’re everything you love about campfire s’mores, minus the mess.

Get the Recipe: S’mores Cupcakes

Mocha Cupcakes

Several chocolate cupcakes with mocha frosting and chocolate sprinkles are arranged on a wooden surface surrounded by coffee beans. One cupcake is in the foreground and in focus, while others are slightly blurred in the background.
Photo Credit: Frugal Mom Eh

These rich cupcakes combine strong brewed coffee with cocoa powder for a deep mocha flavor, then finish with espresso-spiked frosting. A sprinkle of chocolate shavings on top adds just the right amount of bitterness.

Get the Recipe: Mocha Cupcakes

Orange Cupcakes

A split image shows several orange cupcakes with vanilla frosting and orange zest. One cupcake is shown broken in half to reveal the inside. Orange slices are visible in the background.
Photo Credit: The Creative Bite

Made with fresh orange juice and zest, these citrus-forward cupcakes are light, moist, and naturally fragrant. The orange cream cheese frosting brings it all together without overpowering the cake.

Get the Recipe: Orange Cupcakes

Biscoff Cupcakes

Three cupcakes with tan frosting and Biscoff cookie crumbles are arranged in a row on a white surface.
Photo Credit: Princess Pinky Girl

Biscoff spread is used in both the frosting and the filling for an extra hit of caramelized cookie flavor. The cupcakes themselves are spiced with cinnamon, giving them a warm, bakery-style feel. 

Get the Recipe: Biscoff Cupcakes

Lavender Lemon Cupcakes

Several cupcakes with tall swirls of white frosting are arranged on a white surface.
Photo Credit: Chenée Today

Delicate dried lavender infuses both the cake and the frosting, balanced by tart lemon zest and juice. These cupcakes are simple to make but feel extra fancy.

Get the Recipe: Lavender Lemon Cupcakes

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

A split image shows chocolate cupcakes with swirls of chocolate and tan frosting. One cupcake is shown whole, the other is broken open to reveal a peanut butter filling. More cupcakes are visible in the background.
Photo Credit: Simply Stacie

With a hidden peanut butter core and thick chocolate frosting, these cupcakes taste like a homemade candy bar. Crushed peanuts on top add a salty finish.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Almond Cupcakes

A single cupcake with vanilla frosting and almond pieces is in focus on a white plate. Other similar cupcakes are blurred in the background. A glass of milk is partially visible in the far left background.
Photo Credit: Barley & Sage

These soft cupcakes use almond extract for flavor and are topped with a smooth almond buttercream. Sliced almonds give a light crunch that complements the fluffy crumb.

Get the Recipe: Almond Cupcakes

Thin Mint Cupcakes

A chocolate cupcake with mint green frosting and a chocolate mint on top is in focus. Other similar cupcakes are blurred in the background. Mint leaves and chocolate mints are visible on the table.
Photo Credit: Boston Girl Bakes

Inspired by the Girl Scout classic, these cupcakes are laced with peppermint and cocoa, then topped with a rich chocolate mint ganache. There’s even a Thin Mint cookie tucked inside each one.

Get the Recipe: Thin Mint Cupcakes

White Cupcakes

Three vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting and white sprinkles are on a wooden surface. Another cupcake is blurred in the background.
Photo Credit: I Heart Eating

These bakery-style white cupcakes use egg whites for a soft, snow-white crumb and have a clean vanilla flavor perfect for any occasion. The smooth, not-too-sweet buttercream is piped in elegant swirls.

Get the Recipe: White Cupcakes

Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting

A split image shows several cupcakes with pink strawberry frosting and a fresh strawberry on top. One cupcake is shown with a bite taken out. More cupcakes and strawberries are visible in the background.
Photo Credit: Bakers Table

This recipe uses freeze-dried strawberries in both the cake and frosting, which means bold flavor without any artificial taste. They’re quick to make and don’t require fresh berries.

Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cupcakes

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