Springtime is right around the corner, even if in much of the country it doesn't quite feel like it. If you're facing cold weather and grey skies, there's nothing better than some spring cupcakes to brighten your day.
There are several easy and creative recipes to DIY your own fun cupcake flavors and designs. We've rounded up the best cupcakes that are sure to impress friends and family. We've rounded up the 12 best cupcake recipes to bake up all Spring.
Spring Cupcake Round-Up
1. Cupcake Easter Baskets
One of the first official Spring holidays is Easter. These Easter cupcakes will get you in the spirit with adorable chocolate eggs laying inside an Easter basket.
These cupcakes have a mild orange flavor and are topped with a cream cheese frosting. They are decorated with shredded coconut to mimic confetti. Chocolate eggs act as Easter eggs, while a chocolate licorice twist is the basket handle.
Get the recipe here from Taste of Home.
2. Maple Carrot Cupcakes
If you want a twist on a traditional carrot cake, these cupcakes are for you. The addition of maple syrup in the batter and the frosting adds a hint of savory notes to the sweet cake. Walnuts add needed texture and crunch.
Get the recipe here from Tatyana's Everyday Food.
3. Key Lime Cupcakes
If you're suffering from winter weather blues, make these cupcakes to be transported to a warm beach.
These cupcakes incorporate graham crackers and key lime juice and zest, making them taste like the pie. They are topped with key lime shavings.
Get the recipe here from Baker By Nature.
4. Chocolate Dipped Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
These cute cupcakes are almost too adorable to eat. The cupcakes are served inside a cake cone and decorated with your sprinkles of choice. These would make a great Valentine's Day treat by using red heart sprinkles.
This recipe uses a store-bought cake mix for the cake. The cupcakes are topped with a buttercream frosting, then covered with a chocolate glaze.
Since the cake sits inside of a cone, there is no need to use cupcake liners.
Get the recipe here from Taste of Home.
5. Brownie Cupcakes
These cupcakes are brownies masquerading as a cupcake. Baking brownies this way makes a perfect individual serving.
You can add a Hersey's kiss in the middle for a sweet surprise.
Get the recipe here from The Cookie Rookie.
6. Buttermilk Chocolate Cupcakes
Chocolate and buttermilk are perfect pairings. The tang of the buttermilk cuts through the sweetness of the rich chocolate.
This recipe calls for making your own cupcake batter. Luckily, the prep time is only 30 minutes.
You'll need an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar. Once everything is well mixed, simply pop it into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
This cupcake is simple in that you don't need any fancy decorations. Simply plop on some frosting and enjoy.
Get the recipe here from Sally's Baking Addiction.
7. Flower Cupcakes
Impress your mom for Mother's Day with these adorable flower cupcakes. You can make whatever cupcake flavor mom loves, but this recipe calls for vanilla cupcakes.
To your frosting, you'll add different pastel food coloring for each flower. You can then use different star tips to create the different flower shapes.
Get the recipe here from Baked Bree.
8. Sheep Cupcakes
These silly sheep cupcakes would be perfect for a baby shower or kid's birthday.
After making a standard cupcake, mini marshmallows are added to create the sheep's wool. You can purchase white chocolate fondant candy for the eyes and marshmallows for the ears.
Get the recipe here from Simple Joy.
9. Bunny Cupcakes
These simple cupcakes get an upgrade with the addition of bunny ear toppers.
After making and frosting your cupcake, you can make your edible bunny ears out of marshmallows and pink sprinkles.
Get the recipe here from Your Cup of Cake.
10. Strawberry Cupcakes
Strawberry cupcakes not only taste delicious but look beautiful. Their bright pink frosting color screams Springtime.
This recipe calls for both baking powder and baking soda to create a moist and fluffy cake. The batter has freshly chopped strawberries, while the frosting is made from a strawberry reduction.
Get the recipe here from Life Love and Sugar.
11. Lemon Cupcakes
Nothing says Spring like the tangy, tart, taste of lemon. What makes this recipe unique is the whipped cream frosting.
The frosting is made by whisking cream cheese, powdered sugar, and whipping cream. You can add some lemon zest to the frosting for an extra tart kick.
Get the recipe here.
12. Cheesecake Cupcakes
Is there anything better than a decadent slice of cheesecake? These mini cheesecakes are baked in a cupcake tin, making them the perfect party treat.
The basic recipe makes a standard vanilla cheesecake. They are very easy to customize by adding in your favorite mix-ins. We suggest crushed Oreos and a scoop of creamy peanut butter.
Get the recipe here.
