Last Updated on March 21, 2024 by Share My Kitchen
Everybody loves cupcakes! And those who say they don’t might just be teasing you. Gourmet cupcakes are not only simple to make, but also can be easy to transport and eat. They can be made in smaller batches, a huge difference from creating large cakes for parties.
Cupcakes are loved by all ages. They’re great for children and adults! They can easily fit everybody’s hands. You can also make these mini-cupcakes! The possibilities are endless!
What is considered a gourmet cupcake?
Cupcakes are loved by all ages. They’re great for children and adults! They can easily fit everybody’s hands. You can also make these mini-cupcakes! The possibilities are endless!
Baking your gourmet cupcake is great for any holiday or social event. It’s so easy to personalize or adapt to your individual preferences.
Here are 17 delicious gourmet cupcake recipes. With these cupcake recipes, you are sure to make ones full of flavor!
Party Starter Gourmet Cupcake Recipes You Should Try
1. Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes
Ice cream sundae cupcakes look as beautiful as they taste. And no matter what occasion, these cupcakes will be popular!
These cupcakes are great for any kind of birthday party. Plus, making them requires no special skills.
The ingredients include a vanilla-based batter and a few brightly colored sprinkles topped with lots of buttercream frosting. Achieve that ice cream-like aesthetic by drizzling chocolate on top.
2. Cranberry Orange Cupcakes
If you’re looking for the perfect holiday season twist for your cupcakes, then this is the right recipe for you!
This sweet treat is great for the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays.
It combines the flavors of orange with cranberry into a delicious confect that fits right in your hand.
The frosting is made with cool cream cheese and bright cranberry garnish.
These gourmet cupcakes are distinguished by their toppings! Learn how to make these cupcakes shine this holiday season for your family!
3. Blueberry Pancake Cupcakes
These cupcakes make us long for lazy Saturday mornings. You know, the kind of Saturday morning that you get up late and enjoy a delicious brunch at your kitchen table.
They capture all the nostalgia of Saturday brunches and make them into neat little cupcakes.
Now these cupcakes are made from a vanilla cake batter and some special ingredients. Let me give you a hint: it’s nutmeg.
Any blueberry, frozen or fresh, can be used in this recipe. However, fresh blueberries are best for these delicious cupcakes!
After they are baked, you can spread warm maple syrup-flavored buttercream on top. You’ll get that brunch perfection.
4. Cinnamon Pancake Cupcakes With Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Here we have another fantastic recipe that will bring back the feeling of Saturday morning breakfasts. These cupcakes are made to be dessert at the end of the day or for breakfast.
These delicious gourmet cupcakes can be made using a cup of Hungry Jack buttermilk pancake mix.
You can’t get a better breakfast than this! Then its frosting is made with cream cheese and maple syrup.
What sets these cupcakes apart from other cupcakes is the unique way of stacking them to sit on top of one another.
Basically it’s a big fluffy pancake served with a small portion of pancakes. These will be impressive to have for you next breakfast!
5. Salted Caramel Cupcakes
These cupcakes prove that more is always better! This recipe is full of flavor.
Its center is made of melted salted caramel, then coated with buttercream and coconut brittle. However, do not be intimidated by these ingredients!
The base of the cupcakes is vanilla, and each part of the recipe is simple to make. Homemade salted caramel is made with sugar, corn syrup and butter, cream and sea salt. It’s definitely easy!
Next, the pecan coconut brittle is made with butter, sugar, corn syrup, baking soda, sweetened coconut and pecan.
This is finished with a thick swirl of buttercream frosting, made from sugar, egg whites, butter and salt (or check how to add salt to unsalted butter!) Plus some of the remaining caramel from before. This delicious dessert will make your family even more happy.
6. S’mores Cupcakes
A lot of ideas come to mind when fall weather is mentioned. When we think about fall, campfires are what come to our minds.
Those warm and gooey s’mores! We may not always be able to build a campfire or carry all the ingredients needed for s’mores out to a fire, but we can make these delicious s’mores cupcakes.
These cupcakes have a chocolate base with a marshmallow on top. The marshmallow can be broiled or heated in the microwave, then it is ready for serving.
7. Chocolate Swirled Peanut Butter Blast Cupcakes
This recipe is perfect for that beautiful combination of peanut butter and chocolate.
These gourmet cupcakes are peanut butter and chocolate-based muffins and are great for treating loved ones. The reflection of your love can be seen in these delicious treats.
Then the thick, heavy frosting is made with more peanut butter and heavy cream. For a stunning cupcake, the ganache is blended with the peanut butter frosting and creates a beautiful swirled effect.
8. Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes
These cupcakes are a reminder of having mint hot chocolate, wrapping Christmas presents and singing Christmas carols.
They can be made before thanksgiving, which could get you judgmental looks until they try making one for themselves.
Plus, these cupcakes make a wonderful treat for coffee lovers!
Mint and coffee can be used to enhance the dark chocolate cake batter. But be careful! These can be addictive. Then top it off with crunchy candy cane bits.
9. Nutella Cupcakes
Nutella is made of ground hazelnuts, and it is peanut butter’s more decadent cousin.
You can use it in place of peanut butter, in ice-cream, or even in cupcakes. This delicious gourmet cupcake recipe uses tons of Nutella.
This is one of the simplest recipes! It only requires Nutella, eggs, cream cheese, and flour.
Definitely an easy recipe to whip up, even if you’re away from your kitchen.
You can offer to whip up a batch in your family or friend’s kitchen! It will make their kitchen smell divine and they will be awestruck at your baking skills!
Sprinkles and edible glitter can be added to make these cupcakes Instagram-worthy! Your secrets are private and no one can see them!
10. Coconut Salted Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes
This delicious cupcake recipe is a favorite because this is the perfect treat for anyone who is gluten-free. Therefore, this recipe does not require flour.
These cupcakes feature a secret recipe: black beans.
Mix your unflavored black beans with eggs, vanilla, coconut oil and brown sugar.
This is the most important part of the actual base of the cupcake. Nobody will ever guess or know the secret ingredient of these gourmet cupcakes.
Look no further if you are looking for ways to get more vegetables into your child’s diet.
11. Banana Cream Pie Cupcakes
Banana Cream Pie reminds me of summer barbecues and ribs. And these creamy pastry cream and banana flavoring will leave your mouth watering.
This recipe features a Nilla wafer crust with vanilla bean banana cupcake recipes baked on top.
These cupcakes can be enjoyed at any time of the year and are easy to eat. These cupcakes will surely go fast so make sure to make two batches.
12. Caramel Toffee Latte Cupcakes
A cup of hot coffee plus this chocolate-based cupcake are perfect for each other.
The creamy caramel drizzled on top looks just like the caramel topping you put on your morning cup of coffee.
The cupcake’s deep chocolate base is made from a box of cake mix. Then, you add some additional ingredients to make it even more delicious.
Buttercream frosting is made with caramel and instant coffee. It’s guaranteed to be a hit! All your friends will love it!
13. Blushing Grapefruit Cupcakes
Grapefruit, whether you love it or not, is one of those flavors that lets you know it’s almost summer. The addition of lemon peel accelerates the grapefruit’s citrus flavor.
Do not be alarmed if this cupcake is too tart for you. This delicious gourmet cupcake recipe comes with a creamy cream cheese frosting.
It will not lead you astray. This recipe is perfect for anyone who has ever wanted to taste grapefruit, or wants to experience it again.
14. Chocolate-Bacon Cupcakes With Dulce de Leche Frosting
Using bacon on anything other than breakfast might sound strange. But this delicious cupcake recipe will prove you wrong.
The bacon included in this recipe is candied, so don’t be afraid that you’re leaving your comfort zone.
This means that the bacon’s salty goodness is coated in a layer of brown sugar and cocoa powder.
Combine the flavors of sweet and salty to create an elixir of goodness. These delicious chocolate cupcakes are topped off with dulce de leche (or caramelized milk) cream cheese frosting.
You will wish you did not eat your entire dinner, because this dessert is going to be delicious.
15. Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Cupcakes
Take note that Valentine’s Day is not the only time to enjoy chocolate-covered strawberries.
This delicious recipe can be used at any time of the year, or whenever you want to show your love for someone.
This cupcake batter is a lovely pink color because of its strawberry flavor!
16. Bananas Foster Cupcakes
If you want to enjoy the delicious flavor of table-side flamed bananas without the effort, then this recipe is for you.
This simple recipe makes delicious bananas foster cupcakes. But be careful not to burn your fingertips making bananas foster at home.
Use this recipe to save you from the trouble and preserve all the delicious flavor.
These cupcakes are a great addition to any event. They will amaze everyone!
17. Muddy Buddy Cupcakes
These chocolate peanut butter cupcakes make a great gourmet cupcake recipe.
It’s perfect for those who love rich chocolate cupcakes. And it’s another recipe that requires you to make a batch with a box of plain cake mix.
This not only saves time but also allows you to make it from scratch without losing any of the flavor.
Finally, this dense chocolate cupcake is enhanced by the peanut butter frosting.
How To Bake A Gourmet Cupcake With Candied Bacon?
For the candied bacon:
- 1/2 c packed light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 12 slices bacon (cut in half)
- For the cupcakes:
- 5 tbsps vegetable oil
- 1/4 c brewed espresso or coffee
- 1/4 c packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 c unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
- 3/4 c all-purpose flour
- 1/2 c granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp fine salt
- 1/4 c buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the frosting:
- 1 c jarred dulce de leche
- 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Flaky sea salt (for topping)
Instructions
- Begin making the candied bacon. Preheat the oven to 350°F before you start to prepare all of your ingredients.
- Line a baking sheet with foil, then place an oven-safe rack on top. You will use this to set the bacon while it’s cooking.
- In a bowl, whisk the brown sugar, white sugar and cocoa powder together. Next. cut the bacon strips in half, then add them to the sugar mixture.
- After coating, place bacon strips on a baking rack. Then bake until they’re dark brow, that takes about 15-20 minutes. When the bacon strips are cooked, remove from the oven and let them cool. Then transfer them to a plate once they are cooled. Chop 6 pieces of bacon into small pieces and set aside.
- It’s time to prepare the cupcake batter. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine vegetable oil, brown sugar, espresso, cocoa powder and chocolate.
- Microwave the chocolate mixture until it is hot. Then mix all ingredients until you get a smooth texture. Set aside to let it cool. Meanwhile, combine all dry ingredients in a separate medium bowl. And then, whisk the flour, granulated sugar and baking soda together.
- Mix the ingredients in the medium bowl with the chocolate mixture until well combined.
- Use paper liners to line a 12-cup muffin tray. Then divide the chocolate batter evenly among the 12 cups.
- Bake the cupcakes for 20-25 minutes or until they have a springy center when lightly touched.
- After the cupcakes are cooked, take them out of the oven and let them cool in the muffin pan for 10 minutes.
- Make the frosting by beating the dulce de leche (caramelized milk), cream cheese and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth.
- Put cream cheese frosting mixture in a pastry bag with a large star tip and then place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Pipe your chilled frosting onto the cupcakes. Then sprinkle with the candied bacon and a bit of sea salt.
