Skip to content

Top Navigation

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Home
  • Garden
  • Holidays
  • Videos
  • current issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Midwest Living

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 Fresh Places to Eat, Drink, Play and Stay This Winter

      7 Fresh Places to Eat, Drink, Play and Stay This Winter

      Hot off the minds of Midwest travel writers: a fresh look at where to eat, drink, play and stay around the region. Read More
    • Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      One has conquered the world of plant-based baking. Another runs a microbakery from her home. Two own businesses with their spouses. And the fifth is a James Beard finalist chef. The common thread? Absolutely delicious cakes. Read More
    • The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      For many Midwesterners, holiday feasting kicks off with a relish tray. We dare not mess with an icon—at least, not too much. Read More
  • Travel

    Travel

    See All Travel
    Why Wisconsin Supper Clubs Just Keep Getting Better With Age

    Why Wisconsin Supper Clubs Just Keep Getting Better With Age

    At Wisconsin supper clubs, the steak is served rare and the traditions are well done. Like the brandy in an Old-Fashioned, these timeless institutions only get better with age.
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Family Travel
    • Around the Region
    • Beyond the Region
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Missouri
    • Nebraska
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • South Dakota
    • Wisconsin
    • Free Travel Info
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food
    Tomatoey Parmesan Beans

    Tomatoey Parmesan Beans

    This sleeper hit of a weeknight dinner comes from Food Network star Molly Yeh's cookbook Home is Where the Eggs Are—and is basically a vehicle for Parmesan and garlic toast. No complaints! (The alternate version, with ham and cream, is excellent too.)
    • Comfort Foods
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Breakfast
    • Quick & Easy
    • Chicken
    • Soups & Stews
    • Midwest Favorites
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Fish
    • Grilling
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    Avid DIYers Transform a 1929 Chicago Home One Project at a Time

    Avid DIYers Transform a 1929 Chicago Home One Project at a Time

    With visions of dinner parties and game nights dancing in their heads, a Chicago couple renovated their historic (and first) home, one DIY project at a time.
    • Quick Decorating
    • Featured Homes
    • Organizing & Storage
    • Outdoor Living
    • Seasonal Decorating
    • Room Decorating
  • Garden

    Garden

    See All Garden
    How to Care for Flowering Houseplants

    How to Care for Flowering Houseplants

    Author Lisa Eldred Steinkopf shares how to make blooms last longer—and repeat.
    • Container Gardens
    • Flowers
    • Featured Gardens
    • Midwest Gardening Calendar
    • Garden Ideas & Inspiration
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    Unique Midwest Light Displays to See This Winter

    Unique Midwest Light Displays to See This Winter

    Buses, trains and very few automobiles—check out these out-of-the-ordinary holiday lights displays.
    • Easter
    • July 4th
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
    • Valentine's Day
  • Videos

    Videos

    See All Videos
    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Tamales are a project, but many hands—even tiny ones—make lighter work.
    • Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath
    • These DIY Orange Beeswax Candles Will Make Your Home Smell Amazing
    • Ring in the New Year with This Glam Star Garland
    • How to Make a Modern Fruit Cake Box
    • An Eye-Catching Oval Treat Box You Can Make
    • Make a Colorful Paper Raffia Wreath to Welcome Fall
    • How to Make a Dried Floral Arrangement
    • How to Make an Easy Pina Colada
    • How to Make an Amazing Pavlova
    • How to Make Pumpkin-Spice Icebox Cake
    • How to Make an All-Butter Pie Crust
    • DIY Pistachio Wheat Stalks for Fall Decorating
  • current issue

    current issue

    See All current issue
    About Us

    About Us

    • March/April 2022 Issue
    • January/February 2022 Issue
    • November/December 2021 Issue
    • September/October 2021 Issue
    • July/August 2021 Issue
    • May/June 2021 Issue
    • Summer 2022 Issue
    • Fall 2022 Issue
    • Winter 2022 Issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Midwest Living
  2. Food
  3. Desserts & Baking
  4. Delicious Cupcake Recipes

Delicious Cupcake Recipes

By Midwest Living editors Updated December 28, 2022
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Red Velvet Raspberry Cupcakes
Credit: Scott Little

Whether you're looking for a creative made-from-scratch treat or an easy fix-up for a box mix, we've got a cupcake recipe to try.

Start Slideshow

1 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Red Velvet Raspberry Cupcakes

Red Velvet Raspberry Cupcakes
Credit: Scott Little
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These cupcakes get a double dose of raspberry flavor, with raspberry liqueur in the cake as well as the frosting. Top with fresh raspberries, too, if you like!

Related: Delicious Red Velvet Dessert Recipes

1 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Blueberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

Blueberry Cheesecake Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Graham cracker crumbs, cream cheese and blueberry pie filling turn yellow cake mix into a whimsical twist on a favorite dessert. The idea comes from Designer Desserts Bakery in Valparaiso, Indiana.

2 of 27

3 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pina Colada Cupcakes

Pina Colada Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Cocktail meets cupcake with the tropical marriage of pineapple preserves, crunchy macaroon bits and toasted coconut. We bet you won't even miss the rum.

3 of 27

Advertisement

4 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Root Beer Float Cupcakes

Root Beer Float Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These soda-shop-cute cupcakes are inspired by the whimsical treats served at Designer Desserts Bakery in Valparaiso, Indiana.

4 of 27

5 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Zucchini Cupcakes with Greek Yogurt Frosting

Zucchini Cupcakes with Greek Yogurt Frosting
Credit: Karla Conrad
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These healthy cupcakes—with whole wheat flour, quinoa and applesauce—can double as morning muffins when topped with a drizzle of honey or small pat of butter.

Related: Zucchini Cakes, Brownies, Breads and Bars

5 of 27

6 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Dark Chocolate-Raspberry Cupcakes

Dark Chocolate-Raspberry Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Turn raspberry-filled cupcakes upside down before drizzling with a rich chocolate truffle icing.

Related: Decadent Chocolate Desserts

6 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Malt Shop Special Cupcakes

Malt Shop Special Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

As cheerfully cute as an ice cream sundae, these showstopper cupcakes have a luscious and oh-so-easy frosting made of whipping cream, pudding mix and malted milk powder. The recipe comes from Designer Desserts Bakery in Valparaiso, Indiana.

7 of 27

8 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Orange Cream Pop Cupcakes

Orange Cream Pop Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

For this party-special cupcake, combine white cake mix, orange-flavor gelatin, orange juice, and cheesecake-flavor instant pudding and pie filling mix. Cream cheese frosting gets a flavor punch from orange gelatin and shredded orange peel.

8 of 27

9 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The BMC 2

The BMC 2
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This sweet-salty bacon-topped cupcake was a finalist in one of our recipe contests. Its creator, pharmacist Jill Drury of Chicago, used a scientific-formula approach to name her cupcake based on its ingredients: bacon, maple syrup and cinnamon (squared).

9 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Easy Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

Easy Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You decide how easy you want these to be! We're partial to our homemade Pumpkin Cupcakes with Sweetened Whipped Cream Frosting, but you can substitute purchased plain cupcakes or purchased whipped white frosting to make this recipe even simpler.

10 of 27

11 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Meringue-Topped Raspberry Cupcakes

Meringue-Topped Raspberry Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Raspberry juice or raspberry liqueur flavors these cupcakes, while meringue adds a so-light topping. Press a raspberry into the meringue for a final touch.

11 of 27

12 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mochaccino Cupcakes

Mochaccino Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Swirl coffee buttercream frosting on chocolate-coffee cupcakes; add a cream-filled cookie "straw" for a pretty finishing touch. Serve with one of our hot drink recipes.

12 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Islands Banana Foster Cupcakes

Islands Banana Foster Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Top coconut cupcakes with bananas, butter, brown sugar and cinnamon for a tropical-flavor treat.

13 of 27

14 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Blueberry Cupcakes

Blueberry Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fresh blueberries get baked into these vanilla-flavored cupcakes and scattered on top.

14 of 27

15 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sweet Potato Cupcakes

Sweet Potato Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Crown these cinnamon-spiced cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and a curl of finely shredded orange peel.

15 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Soda Fountain Cupcakes

Soda Fountain Cupcakes
Credit: Blaine Moats
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Chilled cupcakes (aka poke cakes) get cheerful colors from gelatin poured over the cakes and swirled into the cream cheese frosting. The recipe makes two colors of cupcakes. If you like, simplify and use two boxes of a single flavor of gelatin.

Related: Irresistible Soda Shop Desserts

16 of 27

17 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Black Tie Cupcakes

Black Tie Cupcakes
Credit: Robert Jacobs
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You can get creative with the finishing touches on these cupcakes, which are topped with seedless red raspberry or blackberry preserves, chocolate ganache, decorative icing and small decorative candies.

17 of 27

18 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Firecracker-Red Cupcakes with Coconut Filling

Firecracker-Red Cupcakes with Coconut Filling
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A red, white and blue dessert stars at any patriotic potluck. Red velvet cake mix makes our moist and gooey Firecracker-Red Cupcakes extra easy to prepare.

18 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Peanut Butter Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A chocolate-covered peanut butter cup tucks inside each of these treats. The tops will sink a bit as the cupcakes cool—creating a perfect spot for a dollop of jam.

19 of 27

20 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes

Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Vanilla cream oozes out of vanilla cupcakes. Top it all off with a rich chocolate ganache.

20 of 27

21 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fresh Rosemary & Lemon Cupcakes

Fresh Rosemary & Lemon Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Italian flavors inspired this cupcake with its refreshing blend of fresh rosemary and lemon and topping of lemon glaze.

21 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cream Soda Toffee Cupcakes

Cream Soda Toffee Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These moist cupcakes feature old-fashioned cream soda, a browned butter frosting and a crunchy toffee topping.

22 of 27

23 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Buttermilk Cupcakes with Sour Cream Frosting

Buttermilk Cupcakes With Sour Cream Frosting
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Swirls of sour cream frosting and sugar flowers decorate tender buttermilk cupcakes. You can add a dab of jam below the frosting, if you like. Look for sugar flowers among baking ingredients at the grocery store or at baking supply stores.

23 of 27

24 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

German Chocolate Cupcakes

German Chocolate Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Creamy chocolate-pecan ice cream, caramel sauce and toasted coconut top these showstopping cupcakes. For a shortcut, start with bakery cupcakes or use a cake mix.

24 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Gingerbread Cupcakes

Gingerbread Cupcakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These crackly-topped low-calorie gingerbread cupcakes will remind you of gingersnap cookies.

25 of 27

26 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Easy Berry Cheesecakes

Easy Berry Cheesecakes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Transform plain vanilla cupcakes with a swirl of cream cheese frosting and a topping of fresh berries.

26 of 27

27 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Layered pudding cupcakes

Layered pudding cupcakes

A super-simple cupcake fix-up: Bake your favorite flavor of cupcake, slice cupcakes into thirds or halves, layer with pudding, frost.

27 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Midwest Living editors

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 27 Red Velvet Raspberry Cupcakes
    2 of 27 Blueberry Cheesecake Cupcakes
    3 of 27 Pina Colada Cupcakes
    4 of 27 Root Beer Float Cupcakes
    5 of 27 Zucchini Cupcakes with Greek Yogurt Frosting
    6 of 27 Dark Chocolate-Raspberry Cupcakes
    7 of 27 Malt Shop Special Cupcakes
    8 of 27 Orange Cream Pop Cupcakes
    9 of 27 The BMC 2
    10 of 27 Easy Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes
    11 of 27 Meringue-Topped Raspberry Cupcakes
    12 of 27 Mochaccino Cupcakes
    13 of 27 Islands Banana Foster Cupcakes
    14 of 27 Blueberry Cupcakes
    15 of 27 Sweet Potato Cupcakes
    16 of 27 Soda Fountain Cupcakes
    17 of 27 Black Tie Cupcakes
    18 of 27 Firecracker-Red Cupcakes with Coconut Filling
    19 of 27 Peanut Butter Cupcakes
    20 of 27 Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes
    21 of 27 Fresh Rosemary & Lemon Cupcakes
    22 of 27 Cream Soda Toffee Cupcakes
    23 of 27 Buttermilk Cupcakes with Sour Cream Frosting
    24 of 27 German Chocolate Cupcakes
    25 of 27 Gingerbread Cupcakes
    26 of 27 Easy Berry Cheesecakes
    27 of 27 Layered pudding cupcakes

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Midwest Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • Free Newsletters this link opens in a new tab
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Renew this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Affiliate Program
    • Free Travel Info this link opens in a new tab
    • Special Promotions this link opens in a new tab
    • Sweepstakes this link opens in a new tab
    • Video
    • Home Advisor this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMidwest Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Midwest Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.midwestliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Delicious Cupcake Recipes
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.