22 Muffins and Cupcake Recipes from Scratch That Rise to the Occasion

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Box mixes are fine until you remember how good real homemade can be. There’s something more dependable about cupcake recipes from scratch—no odd aftertaste, no sinking middles, and no guessing what’s actually in them. These kinds of bakes hold their shape, their flavor, and their purpose, whether you’re packing lunches or showing up with something solid for a gathering. The same goes for muffins that actually rise and stay soft past the first day. If you’re looking for cupcake recipes from scratch that don’t disappoint, this collection is worth keeping close.

Sugar Free Meringue Lemon Curd Cupcakes

A yellow cupcake with a white frosting is cut in half, revealing a moist, dense interior. It is placed on a dark plate.
Sugar Free Meringue Lemon Curd Cupcakes. Photo credit: Low Carb No Carb.

These cupcakes pack a citrusy punch without the sugar crash. The meringue topping adds a fluffy finish, making them a smart pick for those exploring cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Free Meringue Lemon Curd Cupcakes

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins with Chocolate

A chocolate chip muffin sits on a striped cloth beside a muffin tin and scattered chocolate pieces, with bananas in the background.
Peanut Butter Banana Muffins with Chocolate. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

The combination of peanut butter, banana, and chocolate creates a rich and moist treat. It’s a flavorful addition to your cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Banana Muffins with Chocolate

Cinnamon Sweet Potato Muffin Recipe

Close-up of a muffin with a crumbly, golden-brown streusel topping, placed on a light-colored surface.
Cinnamon Sweet Potato Muffin Recipe. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

The warmth of cinnamon pairs perfectly with sweet potatoes, offering a cozy flavor in every bite. It’s a comforting addition to your collection of cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Sweet Potato Muffin Recipe

Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

A tray of freshly baked muffins with a crumbly topping, resting on a cooling rack on a wooden table.
Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Tart rhubarb and sweet strawberries create a balanced flavor profile that’s both refreshing and indulgent. This combo is a delightful twist in cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

Starbucks Blueberry Muffin

Blueberry muffin in a yellow wrapper on a white plate, with blueberries beside it. More muffins are on a cooling rack in the background.
Starbucks Blueberry Muffin. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Recreating this coffeehouse favorite at home allows for fresh ingredients and personal tweaks. It’s a classic choice for those perfecting their cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Starbucks Blueberry Muffin

Ricotta Lemon Muffins

A lemon muffin split in half on a white plate with whole muffins in the background and a lemon on the side.
Ricotta Lemon Muffins. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Ricotta adds a creamy texture, while lemon zest brings brightness, resulting in a light and fluffy treat. This duo is a sophisticated pick for cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Ricotta Lemon Muffins

Keto Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe with Almond Flour

A hand uses a piping bag to add chocolate frosting to cupcakes on a wire cooling rack, with other unfrosted cupcakes nearby.
Keto Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe with Almond Flour. Photo credit: Low Carb No Carb.

Almond flour keeps these cupcakes low-carb without sacrificing richness. They’re a smart choice for health-conscious bakers exploring cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Keto Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe with Almond Flour

Sourdough Discard Banana Muffins

Four muffins on a wooden board with parchment paper, a blue and white striped cloth, and a bunch of bananas on the side.
Sourdough Discard Banana Muffins. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Utilizing sourdough discard adds depth and reduces waste, while bananas provide natural sweetness. It’s an eco-friendly option for cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Banana Muffins

Easy Chocolate Chip Banana Peanut Butter Muffins Recipe

Close-up of banana chocolate chip muffins on a cooling rack, with visible chocolate chips on top and inside the muffins.
Easy Chocolate Chip Banana Peanut Butter Muffins Recipe. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting.

This trio of flavors creates a moist and indulgent treat that’s hard to beat. It’s a crowd-pleaser in the realm of cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chocolate Chip Banana Peanut Butter Muffins Recipe

Classic Vanilla Cupcakes

Four vanilla cupcakes with white frosting and colorful sprinkles, one with a bite taken out, displayed on parchment paper with a fork and scattered sprinkles.
Classic Vanilla Cupcakes. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Mastering this staple provides a versatile base for endless variations. It’s the cornerstone of any collection of cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Classic Vanilla Cupcakes

Easy Vanilla Keto Cupcake Recipe

A vanilla cupcake with white frosting and decorative sprinkles sits on a lace-patterned plate next to a fork.
Easy Vanilla Keto Cupcake Recipe. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

These cupcakes offer a low-carb alternative without compromising on flavor. They’re a guilt-free addition to your cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vanilla Keto Cupcake Recipe

Summer Cupcakes

Five cupcakes with toasted white frosting are arranged on a dark surface, with four in a wicker basket and one in front on a napkin.
Summer Cupcakes. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

Infused with seasonal fruits and light flavors, these cupcakes are perfect for warm-weather gatherings. They add a fresh twist to your cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Summer Cupcakes

Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Muffins

Bowl of chocolate chip muffins, one with a bite taken out, on a wooden table next to a blue and white cloth.
Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Muffins. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Combining sourdough discard with chocolate chips results in a tangy-sweet delight. It’s a creative way to enhance your cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Muffins

Tiramisu Cupcakes

A close-up of a partially unwrapped cupcake with white frosting and a dusting of cocoa powder on top.
Tiramisu Cupcakes. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Coffee-soaked layers and mascarpone frosting bring the classic dessert into cupcake form. It’s an elegant choice for those refining their cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Tiramisu Cupcakes

Apple Cheddar Muffins

Four muffins on a white plate, one cut open with butter on top.
Apple Cheddar Muffins. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Sweet apples and sharp cheddar create a savory-sweet balance that’s intriguing. It’s a bold choice for adventurous cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cheddar Muffins

Almond Flour Cupcakes Recipe with Meringue Frosting

Four cupcakes with golden tops and white frosting are arranged on a wooden board.
Almond Flour Cupcakes Recipe with Meringue Frosting. Photo credit: Low Carb No Carb.

Almond flour provides a nutty base, while meringue frosting adds a light finish. It’s a refined option for those exploring cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Almond Flour Cupcakes Recipe with Meringue Frosting

Apple Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream

A cupcake with swirled yellow frosting in a foil liner is in the foreground. More cupcakes and a red apple are blurred in the background.
Apple Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Apples bring moisture and natural sweetness, complemented by rich maple frosting. It’s a comforting pick for your cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream

Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

A hand holds a bitten chocolate muffin in a wrapper, revealing the moist interior. Several whole muffins are in the background on a wooden surface.
Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Zucchini adds moisture without overpowering the chocolate flavor, resulting in a moist treat. It’s a sneaky veggie inclusion in your cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Maple Syrup Walnut Muffins

Close-up of muffins on a cooling rack, topped with white icing being drizzled over them.
Maple Syrup Walnut Muffins. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Maple syrup offers natural sweetness, while walnuts add crunch, creating a balanced bite. It’s a wholesome choice for cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Maple Syrup Walnut Muffins

Small-Batch Blueberry Muffins

Three blueberry muffins are on a table; one is bitten into, showing the blueberries inside. A bowl with more blueberries is in the background.
Small-Batch Blueberry Muffins. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Perfect for smaller households, these muffins deliver fresh blueberry flavor without leftovers. It’s a practical addition to your cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Small-Batch Blueberry Muffins

Dairy-Free Protein Cupcakes

A vanilla cupcake in a purple wrapper with white icing and colorful sprinkles sits in front of several similar cupcakes on a wooden board.
Dairy-Free Protein Cupcakes. Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear.

Packed with protein and free from dairy, these cupcakes cater to dietary needs without skimping on taste. It’s a mindful option for cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Dairy-Free Protein Cupcakes

Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting and Cracker Jack

Cupcakes topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, popcorn, and chocolates, arranged on a tray with some in red and blue paper liners.
Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting and Cracker Jack. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

The combination of peanut butter, caramel, and crunchy topping creates a nostalgic treat. It’s a playful pick for those experimenting with cupcake recipes from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting and Cracker Jack

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