23 Best Cupcakes From Cake Mix Recipes

The next time you need a sweet treat in a snap, whip up a batch of cupcakes from cake mix!

They’re lightning-fast, budget-friendly, and always tasty!

Like cake mix muffins or cookies, these bad boys are so simple to make, you can even get the kids involved.

All you need is a box of cake mix and a handful of other ingredients. 

Mix it all together, bake for a few minutes, and boom! You’ve got homemade cupcakes that taste way better than store-bought. 

Get creative with add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, or keep it simple. Either way, these cupcakes from cake mix are too good to miss!

How to Make Cupcakes From Cake Mix

1. Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes 

If you’re ready for a tropical treat, these pineapple upside-down cupcakes are just the ticket!

These mini delights are a spin on a classic cake, with buttery brown sugar, pineapple chunks, and a cherry on top. 

Perfect for parties or luaus, they’re super delicious, and extra tasty served warm. You definitely won’t have any leftovers.  

Want to make them from scratch? Go for it! But a doctored cake mix works too. Just be careful not to burn your mouth devouring them straight out of the oven.

2. Easy Halloween Cupcakes 

These easy Halloween cupcakes are spooktacular! Perfect for any ghoulish party, they’re easy to make and super fun to decorate. 

You’ll use chocolate cake mix and then top them with a swirl of homemade buttercream in neon Halloween colors.

Don’t forget to add some festive sprinkles too. 

These cupcakes will impress everyone at your Halloween party!

3. Green Ombre St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style, thanks to these green ombre cupcakes!

These fun and easy treats are made with a basic white cake mix, homemade buttercream, and lots of green food coloring. 

They’re perfect for St. Paddy’s Day parties, and even better, they’re so simple to make.

So don’t be shy, give them a try! 

They’re not from scratch, but they’re still delicious and will save you time in the kitchen. Plus, homemade buttercream is a must-have.

4. Chocolate Cupcakes (From a Doctored Cake Mix!)

Chocolate lovers, these cupcakes are for you!

Because as tasty as regular boxed chocolate cake is, this doctored chocolate cake mix recipe makes the BEST cupcakes ever. 

You’ll love the rich chocolate flavor. And they come together in a snap.

Trust me, this recipe will be your new go-to. 

And since the sponge is so simple, you can use all that extra time to make a tasty topping.

I’m thinking salted caramel frosting with extra caramel drizzled over the top…Yum!

5. Cheesecake Filled Cupcakes 

Craving something sweet and indulgent? Try these cheesecake-filled cupcakes! 

They’re straightforward, starting with a basic cake mix.

But instead of a plain old sponge, they’re filled with a rich chocolate chip cheesecake. 

It’s like two desserts in one, and perfect for any occasion!

6. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cupcakes

If you’re in the mood for something seriously sweet, you’ve got to try these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cupcakes! 

They’re chocolate cupcakes with a surprise Reese’s chocolate in the center. Plus, they’re topped with creamy peanut butter frosting.

It doesn’t get better than this!

Pro tip: use a commercial brand of peanut butter like Skippy or Jif for the best frosting texture. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

7. Vanilla Cupcakes

Indulge in these irresistible vanilla cupcakes at your next party, and everyone will thank you!

They’re moist, fluffy, and bursting with vanilla flavor. And that’s all thanks to the vanilla pudding in the mix.

That also makes them impossibly moist and tender. So you can make these a few days in advance if need be. They’ll hold beautifully!

They’re a must-have for any party, baby shower, or just as a sweet treat.

And the best part is they’re made with a cake mix which means they’re easy and come out perfect every time.

8. Perfect Lemon Cupcakes

Brighten up your day with these perfect lemon cupcakes!

They’re fully loaded with plenty of lemon goodness and are soft as a cloud. Plus, the lemon buttercream on top is out-of-this-world delicious.

These bad boys start with boxed lemon cake mix. And they’re enhanced with sour cream and pudding for a super moist texture. 

Meanwhile, the frosting is made with fresh lemon juice and zest for a tangy kick. How good does that sound?

9. Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

Get ready to indulge in the ultimate cookies and cream dessert!

These cupcakes feature devil’s food cake mix and chocolate pudding for maximum decadence.

And there’s even crushed Oreo cookies right in the batter.

But that’s not all! You’ll also add Oreo pieces to the frosting and top them with a whole Oreo for good measure.

As I said: they’re the ultimate cookies and cream dessert!

10. Banana Pudding Cupcakes

If you love banana pudding as much as I do, you have to give these cupcakes a try!

Banana pudding cupcakes are so simple but oh-so-delicious.

They’re made with a yellow cake stuffed with banana pudding and topped with sweet chantilly cream. 

The cherry on top? Crushed vanilla wafers!

These cupcakes are perfect for any occasion and can be enjoyed all year round. 

11. Eggnog Cupcakes

Get into the holiday spirit with these delicious eggnog cupcakes!

They’re packed with the flavors of eggnog, both in the cake batter and the buttercream icing, so every mouthful is sweet, spiced, and creamy.

Perfect for any holiday party, they’re bound to bring festive cheer. 

The key is balancing the eggnog with spices like nutmeg and cinnamon! Luckily, the sponge and buttercream are the perfect partners. 

12. Key Lime Cupcakes

I have a mild obsession with key lime pie. So I had to make these as soon as I saw the recipe.

And let me tell you, they’re perfect for fans of key lime pie who want something simple and transportable.

They’re also perfect for feeding a crowd, effortless to make, and taste like they’re from a bakery.

The secret is, of course, a cake mix. But you’ll jazz it up with key lime juice.

For the most authentic finish, sprinkle the lime frosting with Graham Cracker crumbs!

13. Sunkist Orange Cupcakes 

Get ready for a burst of citrus flavor because these Sunkist orange cupcakes are bright, light, fluffy, and jam-packed with intense orange flavor. 

The soda in the recipe makes them extra fluffy, thanks to the bubbles acting as a leavening agent. 

Pretty cool, right?

14. Red Velvet Cake Batter Cupcakes

Try these red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting once, and you’ll never make them from scratch again.

Decorated with adorable heart sprinkles and maraschino cherries, they’re perfect for Valentine’s Day.

But you can leave those off and enjoy them any day of the year.

15. Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes

Celebrate spring with a hit of zippy fruity goodness.

These delicious lemon and raspberry cupcakes feature lemon cake mix and lemon pudding mix, making them super zesty and tart.

But don’t worry, the pudding is pretty creamy, and the sour cream helps to mellow that lip-puckering taste.

They’re topped with a luscious raspberry buttercream frosting, adding just the right amount of sweetness and color to make these unforgettable.

Are you drooling too?

16. Raspberry White Chocolate Cupcakes

Want that raspberry flavor but don’t like lemon? Then give these yummy white chocolate cupcakes a shot!

The cupcakes are a simple boxed mix, but you’ll fill them with raspberry jam when they’re cooked and cooled.

From there, you’ll make a dreamy white chocolate frosting that’s rich, sweet, and impossibly creamy. Together, it’s a match made in cupcake heaven.

17. Strawberry Cupcakes

These strawberry cupcakes are so impressive, they’ll knock your socks off. 

All you need is a simple hack of a boxed vanilla cake mix, Greek strawberry yogurt, and fresh strawberries. 

Top it off with a swirl of strawberry buttercream for a double dose of sweetness.

Perfect for any occasion with minimal fuss and maximum yum? Yes, please.

18. Apple Pie Cupcakes

Want to enjoy the flavors of homemade apple pie without the hassle? These apple pie cupcakes are the answer! 

They’re a quick and delicious dessert for any party or backyard bash, made with a box of yellow cake mix and canned apple filling.

Each bite is soft, fluffy, and bursting with apple and cinnamon flavor.

They have all the comforting flavors of apple pie but in convenient cupcake form.

Though if you want a more authentic taste, add some Graham Cracker crumbs over the top.

19. Tiramisu Cupcakes

Tiramisu is one of those indulgent desserts we often only eat at restaurants.

But if you’re a lover of creamy, coffee-infused sweets, you need to make these cupcakes.

Moist vanilla cupcakes soaked in coffee and topped with a rich mascarpone frosting…need I say more?

20. Pineapple Cream Cupcakes

Transport your taste buds to a tropical beach with these pineapple cream cupcakes! 

You’ll add crushed pineapple to yellow cake mix (plus butter, eggs, and vanilla), then bake until fluffy and sweet.

As for the frosting, it’s a simple creamy cheese mix that’s tangy and smooth.

I like to jazz these up even more with mango or pineapple compote in the middle.

Oh, and try adding coconut cream to the frosting for a pleasant nutty finish that makes them taste like a piña colada!

21. Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

If you love snickerdoodles, this mix of cake mix cupcakes and from-scratch cinnamon buttercream might just make you swoon.

There’s cinnamon in the sponge and the frosting, so you’re house will smell incredible when you’re done.

As for the taste, they’re sugar and spice and everything nice.

22. Mocha Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream Frosting

Want to impress your friends with bakery-worthy cupcakes? These mocha cupcakes are your new secret weapon! 

Doctor chocolate cake mix with chocolate pudding, cocoa, and espresso powder for maximum flavor.

(I double the espresso because I like the coffee more prominent.)

When paired with salted caramel buttercream frosting, it’s like the most indulgent Starbucks latte in cupcake form.

23. Gender Reveal Cupcakes

Can we all agree to calm down with the over-the-top gender reveals? Let’s leave those in 2022, okay?

Instead, reveal the gender of your baby in the most delicious way possible!

Made with colored M&Ms, they’ll keep the surprise until the very end. And with a thick and creamy homemade buttercream frosting, they’re sure to be a hit. 

Plus, they’re super easy to make! Just use your favorite cupcake recipe, then fill them with M&Ms, frost and sprinkle.

Easy peasy – and totally safe!