13 Best Summer Cupcake Recipes

Summer is the perfect time for cupcakes – they’re portable for picnics, don’t need forks, and can use all the amazing fresh fruits in season. These 13 recipes feature bright flavors and colors that capture the feeling of summer. Most of these cupcakes are pretty easy to make and will impress everyone at your next backyard party or beach gathering.

Key Lime Pie Cupcakes

These taste just like the classic Florida dessert but in cupcake form. The cake part is usually vanilla with lime zest mixed in. The frosting is the star – it’s made with cream cheese, lime juice, and lime zest which gives that perfect tangy key lime flavor. Some recipes include a graham cracker crust at the bottom of each cupcake which is genius because it’s like the pie crust! These are perfect when it’s too hot to bake a whole pie but you want those bright citrus flavors.

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

These capture the flavor of everyone’s favorite summer drink. The cake has both lemon zest and juice for bright flavor, and some recipes add chopped fresh strawberries to the batter. The frosting is usually strawberry buttercream made with fresh berries (not the fake strawberry flavor). The combo of sweet strawberry and tangy lemon is so refreshing. These look super cute with a strawberry slice and lemon wedge on top. Perfect for pool parties or picnics.

Coconut Mango Cupcakes

These have tropical vibes that make you feel like your on vacation even if your just in your backyard. The cake batter usually has coconut milk and shredded coconut for double coconut flavor. The frosting is the exciting part – it’s made with fresh mango puree which gives it amazing color and flavor. Some recipes add a little lime zest which helps balance the sweetness. These are a nice change from the usual flavors and perfect for summer birthdays.

Blueberry Lavender Cupcakes

These are a little fancy but worth the extra effort. The cake has fresh blueberries folded in and sometimes lavender buds (just a little or it tastes like soap). The frosting is usually a light vanilla or cream cheese with blueberry swirled through it. The combo of floral lavender and sweet berries is unexpected but works so good. These are pretty enough for bridal showers or fancy summer gatherings but still have that casual cupcake vibe.

Peach Cobbler Cupcakes

These taste like the classic summer dessert in handheld form. The cake batter usually has diced fresh peaches and cinnamon mixed in. Some recipes add a streusel topping like a real cobbler would have. The frosting is often brown sugar or cinnamon buttercream which complements the peaches perfectly. These are best when peaches are in season and super juicy. They taste like the State Fair but you don’t have to wait in line or pay $8 for one.

Watermelon Cupcakes with Watermelon Buttercream

These are as cute as they are delicious. The cake is sometimes dyed pink with little chocolate chips folded in to look like watermelon seeds. The real magic is in the frosting which is made with reduced watermelon juice that gives natural watermelon flavor without making the frosting too wet. These are adorable when decorated to look like watermelon slices with green frosting around the edges. Kids go crazy for these at summer birthday parties.

Piña Colada Cupcakes

These taste like the tropical cocktail minus the hangover. The cake batter has crushed pineapple and coconut milk mixed in. The frosting is usually coconut buttercream which gets extra coconut flavor from cream of coconut (the stuff used in actual piña coladas). Some recipes add a splash of rum extract or even real rum for adults. These taste like vacation and are perfect for pool parties or anytime you wish you were at the beach instead of your backyard.

Lemon Blackberry Cupcakes

The combo of bright lemon and deep berry flavor is perfect for summer. The cake is a lemon batter with fresh blackberries folded in which creates pretty purple bursts throughout. The berries keep the cake super moist. The frosting is usually lemon buttercream which adds extra citrus punch. These showcase summer berries perfectly and the color contrast of yellow and purple makes them look as good as they taste. Great when blackberries are in season and cheap.

Fresh Raspberry Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

These let the berry flavor shine without too much competition. The cake batter has fresh raspberries mixed in which gives it natural pink color and amazing flavor. The cream cheese frosting is tangier than regular buttercream which goes perfect with the sweet-tart berries. Sometimes there’s raspberry preserves hidden in the center as a surprise. These are simpler than some fancy cupcakes but sometimes simple is best when you got perfect summer berries.

S’mores Cupcakes

These bring campfire flavors to a party-friendly format. The cake is usually chocolate with graham cracker crumbs mixed in or a graham cracker crust on the bottom. The frosting is marshmallow – either marshmallow buttercream or toasted marshmallow fluff. Some recipes include a chocolate ganache hiding under the frosting. These are great for summer get-togethers when you want the s’mores taste but don’t want to build a fire. Kids absolutely love these.

Mojito Cupcakes with Lime Mint Frosting

These are inspired by the refreshing cocktail and perfect for grown-up parties. The cake batter usually has lime zest and a bit of mint (not too much). The frosting is lime buttercream with fresh mint mixed in. Some recipes for adults include a rum simple syrup that gets brushed on the warm cupcakes. These are super refreshing and different from the usual cupcake flavors. The green and white color scheme looks clean and summery too.

Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes

These taste like the ice cream truck favorite but won’t melt on a hot day. The cake is orange flavored with both zest and juice for real citrus taste. The frosting is vanilla buttercream which creates that classic creamsicle combination. Some recipes swirl the orange and vanilla batters together for a marble effect. These are nostalgic for adults and new and exciting for kids who might not have had the actual popsicles. Great for multi-generation summer gatherings.

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

This classic summer dessert works perfect in cupcake form. The cake is usually a light vanilla batter. After baking, some recipes have you hollow out the center and fill it with diced strawberries in their juice. The frosting is typically whipped cream (stabilized so it doesn’t melt) or whipped cream cheese which is sturdier in heat. Topped with a fresh strawberry, these look impressive but aren’t actually hard to make. These are my favorite when strawberries are perfectly ripe and sweet in the middle of summer.