Celebrate spring with our best Easter cupcake ideas. From sweet coconut to punchy lemon and every seasonal flavor in between, these treats are as irresistible as they are adorable.
32 Easter Cupcake Ideas for a Sweet Springtime Celebration
Updated on Feb. 06, 2025
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Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
50 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My son loves these vanilla bean cupcakes! Flecks of vanilla bean in the moist, tender cupcakes give them special-occasion status. —Alysha Braun, St. Catharines, Ontario
Whole vanilla beans are the secret behind this incredible cupcake recipe. They add tiny vanilla bean flecks to the batter, making the moist, tender cupcakes special-occasion-worthy. However, as a few reviewers point out, vanilla bean paste also works if you’re trying to keep this recipe budget-friendly.
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Easter Basket Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These cute cupcakes with their mild orange flavor are fun to dress up for Easter. As we raised four sons and a daughter, I prepared many, many school lunches and often added these springtime treats. —Julie Johnston, Shaunavon, Saskatchewan
Is there a cuter cupcake than this one? I think not! These creative Easter baskets get the confectionary treatment, complete with a licorice handle and egg-shaped candy on top. Plus, the grated orange zest adds a nice flavor bonus to boot.
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Carrot Cupcakes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
To try to get my family to eat more vegetables, I often hide nutritional foods inside sweet treats. Now we can have our cake and eat our vegetables too! —Doreen Kelly, Roslyn, Pennsylvania
Turn a classic carrot cake into cupcake form. These Easter-worthy sweets are packed with a healthy dose of carrots, which makes the batter super moist and contributes to their pretty orange hue. Dot the cream cheese frosting with chopped raisins and pecans for texture.
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Coconut Tres Leches Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
55 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Three types of milk wonderfully moisten these cupcakes. Toasted coconut on top adds an elegant touch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
These festive coconut-topped cupcakes are made with three types of milk (buttermilk, evaporated and sweetened condensed). If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make buttermilk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to measure 1 cup. Stir, then let stand for five minutes.
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Salted Caramel Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
45 min
Servings
10 cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
To help balance the sweetness of this brown sugar cupcake, our Test Kitchen experts created a unique salty frosting. It's the best of both worlds! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
These cupcakes have that perfect balance between sweet and salty. A drizzle of caramel sauce and a smidge of flaky sea salt are the ideal finishing touches.
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Red Velvet Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Celebrate in luscious style with these coconut-topped red velvet cupcakes. The sweet shreds lend fun flair. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan
Red velvet is the ultimate cupcake base, especially when those cupcakes are topped with a shredded coconut frosting. This is one of our favorite easy red velvet recipes.
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Hummingbird Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Turn the traditional hummingbird cake—flavored with pineapple, bananas and walnuts—into a bite-sized treat with these moist cupcakes. —Jessie Oleson, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Hummingbird cake combines all the flavors of a banana muffin with pineapple and walnuts. Turning that recipe into moist cupcakes is a brilliant discovery you’ll wish you made long ago.
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Lemon Cream Cupcakes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
45 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Instead of a layer cake, serve guests these delicate cupcakes tinged with a tangy lemon flavor. —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta
Surprise your Easter guests with a batch of cupcakes tinged with a tangy lemon flavor. This picture-perfect frosting is flavored with lemon juice and topped with lemon zest. Pucker up!
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Strawberry Cupcakes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These cupcakes are the perfect use for fresh strawberries you have stored. Instead of strawberry jam or Jell-O powder, they feature the natural color and flavor of vibrant, fresh berries. Pair the cupcakes with a pale pink strawberry frosting, or use your favorite. Either way, they’re sure to impress! —Molly Allen, Hood River, Oregon
Few desserts hit the sweet spot like these springy strawberry cupcakes. Instead of using strawberry jam or Jell-O, this recipe features fresh berries. Cooked down into a silky puree, strawberries star in the batter and the frosting for double the strawberry flavor. Of course, if you don’t want to go into berry overload, you could use another homemade frosting of your choice.
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Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I have baked cupcakes for years. These easy to make treats make an attractive dessert for special occasions. —Barbara Hahn, Park Hills, Missouri
What can’t you turn into cupcakes? Pineapple upside-down cakes have never looked cuter—or more scrumptious— than with a maraschino cherry center. Use any leftover maraschino cherries to garnish your spring cocktails.
11/32
Key Lime Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
I made these light, tangy cupcakes on a chilly day to remind me of our vacation in southern Florida, where Key lime pies are star attractions. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Bring a taste of the Florida Keys to your Easter spread with Key lime cupcakes. This recipe is light, tangy and perfect for Key lime pie fans. For a healthier take, make just half of the frosting.
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Special Mocha Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Topped with a fluffy frosting and chocolate sprinkles, these extra-rich, extra-delicious cupcakes smell wonderful while baking and taste even better! —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan
These cupcakes embody chocolate through and through, from the cakey bottom to the rich frosted top. Adding a chocolaty dessert to the mix is always nice for guests who don’t love the fruit-forward flavors of Easter desserts.
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Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My granddaughter Sydney has acquired a love of baking. While I was visiting her in Tampa, we made these light, fluffy cupcakes. She's a natural—they turned out fantastic! —Lonnie Hartstack, Clarinda, Iowa
Easter is for pastels, lemons and cheerful desserts, so these strawberry lemon cupcakes fit right in. Frost them to your heart’s content, then garnish with fresh strawberry slices.
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Oreo Cupcakes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids and adults alike will find these Oreo cupcakes irresistible. If you want to pipe the frosting, be sure to thoroughly crush the cookies. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
With their buttery bottom and decadent top, these Oreo cupcakes do double duty, especially for vanilla-loving, chocolate-craving enthusiasts who want it all. Before piping the frosting, be sure the cookies are finely crushed so the bits don’t get stuck in the piping tip.
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Lemon Coconut Cupcakes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
40 min
Servings
15 cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
Lemon plus coconut equals big smiles in this cupcake equation. These zesty gems are a hit with my family, friends and neighbors. —Debra Henderson, Booneville, Arkansas
Zesty, bright, rich and light, these lemon-coconut cupcakes pack a citrusy punch and taste like summer in bite-size form. For the lemon garnish, look for lemons with little to no bruising, scaring or any other marks that could tarnish the fresh look of the slices.
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Chocolate Macaroon Cupcakes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
50 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A delightful coconut and ricotta cheese filling is hidden inside these chocolate cupcakes. —Dolores Skrout, Summerhill, Pennsylvania
These sugar-dusted chocolate cupcakes look simple from the outside, but they’re filled with a rich coconut and ricotta cheese filling. If you think that sounds complicated, think again: They’re actually pretty easy to make.
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Cherry Cheese Cupcakes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
55 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These pretty cream cheese cups that look like cupcakes are always my home-baked contribution to our church's Christmas party. The holidays inspired the cheery garnish of cherries, and I often add mint leaves for even more seasonal color. —Leanne Beagley, Rochester, New York
Miniature cheesecakes in the form of cupcakes? Don’t mind if we do! With a glazed cherry pie filling as the topping, these are sure to go fast, so you might want to double the recipe.
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Yellow Cupcakes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Nothing is better than homemade cupcakes. This yellow cupcake recipe makes delicious and fluffy treats. To top them, choose whatever frosting you want. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Sure, you could pick up a box of yellow cake mix to make cupcakes, but it’s worth learning how to make this simple yellow cupcake recipe. It’s a blank slate that you can pair with pretty much any frosting; we recommend a classic chocolate buttercream frosting, a fruity blackberry buttercream or an easy vanilla frosting.
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Carrot Blueberry Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
Carrots, blueberries, pineapple and zucchini make an interesting and delicious combination in these unique little treats. —Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
These cupcakes are more than just carrot cake with blueberries on top; they also contain pineapple and zucchini. The produce keeps the cake batter moist and adds fresh flavors you might not think to mix in a sweet dessert.
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Pink Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My daughter loves all things pink, so this recipe was just right for her birthday. Even my teenage son (not a fan of pink) ate his share too. —Paulette Smith, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
We love red velvet, and these pink cupcakes have a springtime pastel hue that we can’t get enough of. Festive for Easter, Valentine’s Day or a spring bridal shower, they’re the tasty definition of pretty-in-pink treats.
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Maple Carrot Cupcakes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I come from a line of family cooks and have liked to cook and bake since I was young. Mother and Grandmom were always in the kitchen cooking up something delicious. These carrot cupcakes were Grandmom's specialty, and we always have them at family gatherings. —Lisa Ann Panzino DiNunzio, Vineland, New Jersey
The key to success with these maple carrot cupcakes is to use the best maple syrup. Pair the syrup with staple pantry ingredients, grated carrots and a walnut-topped frosting to create a divine cupcake, every time.
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Aloha Cupcakes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend asked me to make a coconut and pineapple cupcake for a gathering she was hosting. Everyone agreed that this beauty took them to the tropics. The macadamia nuts are completely optional (the friend happens to be allergic), and the cupcakes are still fantastic without them. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Coconut and pineapple are always a winning combo, and these island-inspired ingredients are unstoppable in this cupcake recipe. We like to finish them with macadamia nuts, but you can swap in any nut for added texture.
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Arnold Palmer Cupcakes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These fun cupcakes take a favorite Arnold Palmer recipe and turn it into dessert. Add a slice of lemon on top for a puckery finish. —Jessee Arriaga, Reno, Nevada
Turn everyone’s favorite thirst-quenching iced tea-lemonade beverage into a dessert. Not a fan of iced tea? Use powdered lemonade mix instead of iced tea mix in the frosting.
24/32
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Skill Level
Advanced
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I've been baking cakes for years and enjoy trying new combinations of flavors and textures. For this peanut butter cupcake recipe, I blended peanut butter and chocolate. As soon as I took the first bite, I knew I had created something divine! —Ronda Schabes, Vicksburg, Michigan
The flavors in this peanut butter chocolate cupcake recipe are divine, but the chocolate curls on top are the best part. To make them, warm a chocolate bar in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time until just pliable. Using a vegetable peeler, run the blade along the edge of the chocolate bar and repeat until you’ve created the desired number of curls.
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Orange Buttermilk Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
40 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Simple and delicious, this is our all-time favorite low-fat dessert. You'll be surprised how well the citrus flavor comes through in every bite. —Kim Chester, Cartersville, Georgia
Easy Easter cupcakes? We can’t get enough of these citrusy gems. You’ll be surprised at how well the orange flavor comes through in every bite. Top the cupcakes with a dried blood orange wheel for an elegant presentation.
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Coconut Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I took these yummy treats to a picnic for our computer club one year, and they went like hotcakes! I should have made a double batch. With their creamy frosting and sprinkling of coconut, they appeal to kids and adults alike. —Judy Wilson, Sun City West, Arizona
If you want to take the flavor of these fabulous coconut cupcakes to the next level, try toasting the coconut shreds on a sheet pan in a 325°F oven for six to eight minutes. You can also swap in coconut extract, or add a splash of rum to the batter for a tropical, boozy twist.
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Strawberry Surprise Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids love the fruity surprise tucked inside these cupcakes. They really wow at parties, bake sales and snacktime. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California
These delectable cupcakes are filled with sweet strawberry preserves, and the cake mix is mixed with sour cream to create a tangy batter. We love frosting them with traditional vanilla frosting, but buttercream frosting would be just as tasty.
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Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
You can have your cake and eat it guilt-free with these taste-tempting treats. The petite graham cracker “crust,” chopped fresh berries and cream cheese frosting offer all the goodness of cheesecake in manageable portions. —Jill Drury, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
We live for a delightful dessert mashup, and these strawberry cheesecake cupcakes fit the bill perfectly. Our recipe has a homemade graham cracker crust, a white cake middle and cream cheese frosting to give it the true cheesecake flavor.
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Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These indulgent vegan chocolate cupcakes have no butter, eggs or dairy milk, but you'd never guess it. This recipe is perfect for potlucks and family gatherings that include guests with food restrictions. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Unless you spill the beans, your guests may never know that these cupcakes are vegan. They’re just as chocolaty, moist and decadent as cupcakes made with eggs and dairy! And thanks to a little baking magic that involves baking soda, cider vinegar and coconut milk, they’re also nice and airy.
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Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Decorate these simple gluten-free vanilla cupcakes for any special occasion or holiday. Since the frosting recipe includes cream cheese, be sure to refrigerate leftovers. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Gluten-free doesn’t have to mean flavorless, and these gluten-free cupcakes are proof. Slather them with chocolate ganache, get fruity with strawberry buttercream or make them tangy with lemon frosting.
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Chocolate Cupcakes with Strawberry Filling
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
50 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I got engaged on Valentine’s Day, so the holiday is extra special in our house. Each year we go all out with fancy desserts. —Kristin Bowers, Gilbert, Arizona
Easter may be a holiday for vanilla and lemon lovers, but chocolate cupcakes will always have a place on our dessert table. That’s especially true when those cupcakes are filled with a sweet strawberry frosting!
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Sour Candy Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
If you love the pucker of sour candies, then these sour candy cupcakes will be right up your alley. The sour dust sprinkled on top gives you an instant pucker when you first take a bite, but the sweetness soon follows. — Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
The holidays are a time for indulgence and over-the-top confections, which is where these sour candy cupcakes come in. Sprinkled with sour sugar dust, they’re whimsical and wildly pretty.
Easter Cupcake Ideas FAQ
What flavors are best for Easter cupcakes?
My favorite Easter cupcakes include spring flavors like lemon, strawberry and carrots, but tropical ingredients like key lime, coconut and rum also work well for the theme. Vanilla and chocolate will always be classic choices, but feel free to get creative with fun frostings and different toppings.
How do I decorate Easter cupcakes?
To give your Easter cupcakes a festive finish, try adding pastel almonds, tiny candy eggs, mini Peeps or a variety of Easter-themed sprinkles like pink and blue nonpareils. Edible cake decorations like glitter would add some sparkle, too. Otherwise, you could create little coconut nests for a cute “bird’s nest” look. Experiment with other types of nest toppings, like meringue nests or birds nests made with pretzels.
How do I transport Easter cupcakes without ruining the decorations?
There are several ways to transport cupcakes, including individual holders or cupcake-carrying trays with vented lids so that frosting and other decorative elements don’t get smashed or dented. If you make a lot of cupcakes, you’ll want to pick up one of these essential cake supplies, but it is possible to make do without it. In a pinch, you can insert tiny toothpicks into each cupcake. Then, place a long piece of plastic wrap over the top of the tray. The toothpick should protect the decorations from getting crushed while transporting the cupcakes.
