12 Best Cupcake Recipes - Cooking Light

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Favorite Cupcakes

One of today's most popular desserts, cupcakes are the talk of the town. Whether it's making a batch for your family, treating your co-workers, or just a little something for yourself, these small delights seem to always fit the bill. Our readers have been quick to let us know which of our cupcakes reign supreme. We've compiled the best recipes here, where you're sure to find something to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth.

First up: Top tender apple cupcakes with a sweet and crunchy topping of brown sugar and almonds, then drizzle with a powdered sugar glaze. The amaretto adds an even more distinct almond flavor to the cupcakes, but if you don't have it, you can use almond extract instead.

View Recipe: Amaretto Apple Streusel Cupcakes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Red Velvet Cupcakes

The frosting takes this red velvet cupcake recipe from great to fantastic. The secret? Use real butter and real cream cheese. The results are mouthwateringly good.

View Recipe: Red Velvet Cupcakes

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

Lemon-Scented Blueberry Cupcakes

Lemon and blueberry flavors give these cupcakes a great taste. Blueberries or fresh, edible flowers make an easy, pretty decoration.

View Recipe: Lemon-Scented Blueberry Cupcakes

Photo: Karry Hosford

Chocolate Chip Angel Cupcakes with Fluffy Frosting

Mini chocolate chips are dispersed in these adorable individual angel food cakes—a perfect choice for a birthday party or shower.

View Recipe: Chocolate Chip Angel Cupcakes with Fluffy Frosting

Photo: Randy Mayor

Double-Chocolate Cupcakes

These cupcakes are easy to make, and because simple ingredients are used, it's best to purchase premium cocoa powder and dark chocolate. Since they're studded with dark chocolate chunks, just dusting them with powdered sugar is enough to decorate these treats. Bake them in muffin cup liners. A dozen of these are a terrific treat to bring to coworkers at the office.

View Recipe: Double-Chocolate Cupcakes

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Frosting

If you're one to equate vanilla with plain and boring, this recipe will change your opinion. A touch of butter adds rich, luxurious flavor to the meringue, but, if you prefer a fluffy, snow-white cap, omit the butter as we did for the photo.

View Recipe: Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Frosting

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Double Ginger Cupcakes with Lemon Glaze

Dried and fresh ginger heighten the flavor of these cupcakes. They rise best when baked in foil liners. Start with three teaspoons lemon juice when making the glaze, and add the extra teaspoon if you want a thinner consistency.

View Recipe: Double Ginger Cupcakes with Lemon Glaze

Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting Recipe

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting Cupcakes

Cream cheese and peppermint candies yield a mildly sweet, tangy frosting that complements the rich, chocolaty cupcakes.

View Recipe: Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Lemon Angel Food Cupcakes

Top these lemon-scented angel food cupcakes with tiny edible pansy blossoms or rosebuds for decoration. Store extra cupcakes in an airtight container, or send them home with guests as party favors.

View Recipe: Lemon Angel Food Cupcakes

Photo: Randy Mayor

Walnut Cupcakes with Maple Frosting

Unlike their full-fat cousins, which get their softness from oil and butter, light cakes rely less on fat and more on sugar and liquids. More sugar minimizes the development of gluten proteins (the primary source of toughness in cakes), but it can also cause excess browning, especially if dairy products are present. Pull the cake from the oven when a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs still clinging to it.

View Recipe: Walnut Cupcakes with Maple Frosting Recipe

Photo: Oxmoor House

Double-Maple Cupcakes

These pint-size desserts feature the best of Maple syrup, which is found in both the cupcake and the frosting. The frosting gets an extra dose of maple goodness thanks to the addition of maple flavoring. Top these cuties with a walnut or, for a sweet-and-salty twist, crumbled bacon.

View Recipe: Double-Maple Cupcakes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

Instant coffee intensifies the chocolate richness of these cupcakes. If you're hosting a holiday party, top them off with themed candies or sprinkles. For thicker frosting, cover and chill for 10 minutes before spreading on the cupcakes. Refrigerate frosted cupcakes overnight; cover lightly with plastic wrap, or store them in an airtight container.

View Recipe: Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting