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25 Fun Cupcake Recipes

Whether you love red velvet cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes, or good old vanilla cupcakes, here are our tastiest recipes to try at home.

Headshot of The Good Housekeeping Web teamBy The Good Housekeeping Web team
best halloween dessert recipes
Good Housekeeping UK

Cupcakes are great for any special occasion - from a birthday party to celebrations like Halloween and Valentine's Day.

They're easy to make and there's a cupcake for every taste from a simple chocolate cupcake to something more decadent like a lemon meringue cupcake.

If you're new to baking and want tips on how to get started, follow our expert guide on how to make cupcakes.

1

Rhubarb and Rose Cupcakes

best easter cakes

Making the most of seasonal rhubarb, these pretty cupcakes look as delicious as they taste. The rhubarb spirals are completely optional, but make a wonderful finishing touch to the cakes.

Recipe: Rhubarb and Rose Cupcakes

2

Black Forest Cupcakes

black forest cupcakes

It doesn’t get much better than this classic flavour combination. We’ve topped each cupcake with a miniature forest scene, edible moss and all!

Recipe: Black Forest Cupcakes

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3

Cyclops Cupcakes

cyclops cupcakes

Oreos are covered in white chocolate and an eye is iced on to each to represent the cyclops. A delicious way to celebrate Halloween.

Recipe: Cyclops Cupcakes

4

Kraken Cupcakes

kraken cupcakes

Release the Kraken! These rum and raisin cupcakes are inspired by every pirate’s favourite tipple.

Recipe: Kraken Cupcakes

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5

Devil Cupcakes

devil cupcakes

Get spooky with these oozing red velvet Halloween cupcakes.

Recipe: Devil Cupcakes

6

Mr and Mrs Frankenstein Cupcakes

mr and mrs frankenstein cupcakes

These chocolate cupcakes are so simple to decorate, but so effective – perfect for a Halloween party! If you want to achieve the jet-black icing (and darker cake), it’s important to use black cocoa powder. Ordinary brown cocoa powder will turn the icing grey.

Recipe: Mr and Mrs Frankenstein Cupcakes

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7

Venus Fly Trap Cupcakes

venus fly trap cupcakes

These cupcakes are the perfect spooky treat to celebrate Halloween with! Kids will love decorating these biting plants.

Recipe: Venus Fly Trap Cupcakes

8

Lemon Meringue Cupcakes - best cupcake recipes 2021

best cupcake recipes lemon meringue cupcakes

With a citrussy sponge, curd filling and towering meringue topping, these sweet treats are lemon meringue pie in cupcake form. Making meringue with a hot sugar syrup makes it more stable, so these can be made well in advance.

Recipe: Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

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9

Walnut Whip cupcakes - best cupcake recipes 2021

best cupcake recipes walnut whip cupcakes

We’ve turned the classic British confectionary into a cupcake for adults and kids alike to enjoy.

Recipe: Walnut Whip cupcakes

10

Harry Potter sorting hat cupcakes - best cupcake recipes 2021

best cupcake recipes harry potter sorting hat cupcakes

Kids and adults alike will love these Sorting Hat cupcakes. Bite into these novel cakes to reveal which house you belong to. Perfect for Halloween!

Recipe: Harry Potter sorting hat cupcakes

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11

Gin and Prosecco lemon drizzle cupcakes - best cupcake recipes 2021

best cupcake recipes gin and prosecco lemon drizzle cupcakes

Treat your guests to a bite of luxury with these decadent cupcakes.

Recipe: Gin and Prosecco lemon drizzle cupcakes

12

Jaffa cake cupcakes - best cupcake recipes 2021

best cupcake recipes jaffa cake cupcakes
Good Housekeeping

Topped with a layer of jaffa jelly and a swirl of rich chocolate buttercream, these fun chocolate Jaffa cake cupcakes will be a hit with kids and grown-ups alike.

Recipe: Jaffa cake cupcakes

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13

Hot chocolate cupcakes - best cupcake recipes 2021

best hot chocolate recipes

Evoking a decadent cup of hot chocolate, topped with Baileys-spiked whipped cream, these hot chocolate cupcakes have a surprise gooey centre and a rich creamy frosting that is guaranteed to please!

Recipe: Hot chocolate cupcakes

14

Pimm's cupcakes - best cupcake recipes 2021

best cupcake recipes pimms cupcakes
Good Housekeeping

With a citrusy tender sponge, minty cream cheese icing and sticky Pimm's syrup, this Pimm's cupcake recipes is a perfect summer afternoon tea treat.

Recipe: Pimm's cupcakes

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15

Guinness chocolate cupcakes - best cupcake recipes 2021

best cupcake recipes guinness chocolate cupcakes
Good Housekeeping

Stout brings a depth of flavour to these cakes, as well as keeping them beautifully light and moist

Recipe: Guinness Chocolate Cupcakes

16

Blackberry gin cupcakes - best cupcake recipes 2021

best cupcake recipes blackberry gin cupcakes
Good Housekeeping UK

Sweet, sharp and juicy blackberries marry beautifully with gin and a twist of lime in these striking cupcakes.

Recipe: Blackberry gin cupcakes



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17

Speckled egg cupcakes - best cupcake recipes 2021

easter mini egg cupcakes recipe
Good Housekeeping

You'll turn to this fail-safe chocolate cupcake recipe again and again.

Recipe: Speckled Egg Cupcakes



18

Gin and tonic cupcakes - best cupcake recipes 2021

best cupcake recipes gin and tonic cupcakes
Good Housekeeping UK

These cupcakes are PERFECT for all the gin lovers out there!

Recipe: Gin and tonic cupcakes



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19

Red velvet cupcakes - best cupcake recipes 2021

best cupcake recipes red velvet cupcakes
Good Housekeeping

These American cakes aren't just delicious, they're easy on the eye too thanks to their gorgeous red shade. They're perfect for a Valentine's Day treat, though we're happy to have them all year round!

Recipe:
Red Velvet Cupcake


20

Forest fruit cupcakes - best cupcake recipes 2021

best cupcake recipes forest fruit cupcakes
Good Housekeeping

You can't have an afternoon tea without cupcakes. Fact. These cupcakes hide a delicious jam centre.

Recipe:
Forest Fruit Cupcake



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best halloween dessert recipes
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