13 Best Raspberry Cupcake Recipes

Raspberry cupcakes are perfect when you want something fancy but not complicated. The bright tartness of raspberries works amazing in both the cake and frosting. These 13 recipes give you options from simple classics to more elaborate versions for special occasions. Most of these work great with frozen raspberries too, so you can make them year-round when fresh berries cost a fortune.

Classic Raspberry Vanilla Cupcakes

These have a simple vanilla cake base with raspberries mixed right into the batter. The berries burst during baking and create little pockets of jammy goodness. Some recipes include raspberry puree in the batter for even more berry flavor. Usually topped with vanilla buttercream and fresh raspberries on top for decoration. These are straightforward but taste amazing when made with good ingredients. Perfect for birthdays or whenever you need something that looks pretty but isn’t complicated. Get the recipe here.

Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

The combo of lemon and raspberry is always a winner. The lemon zest in the cake brightens everything up and makes the berries taste even better. The cream cheese frosting has a slight tang that works perfectly with the sweet-tart flavors. Some recipes add raspberry puree to the frosting which makes it pink and doubles the berry flavor. These taste like spring in cupcake form and are always a hit at gatherings. Get the recipe here.

Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes

These combine rich chocolate cake with tart raspberries which is an amazing combo. The berries can be mixed into the batter or used as a filling between the cake and frosting. Some recipes use chocolate ganache instead of buttercream which feels more fancy. The contrast between the dark chocolate and bright red berries looks really pretty too. These are perfect when you can’t decide between chocolate or fruit desserts – you get both! Get the recipe here.

Raspberry Almond Cupcakes

The almond flavor in these comes from almond extract in the cake and sometimes almond flour too. Almond and raspberry is a classic French combination that tastes really sophisticated. Some recipes top these with sliced almonds which adds nice crunch. The almond flavor isn’t overpowering but gives a subtle nutty background that makes the raspberries pop. These feel more grown-up than regular fruit cupcakes and are perfect for elegant occasions. Get the recipe here.

White Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes

The white chocolate chips or chunks in these balance the tartness of the raspberries perfectly. Some recipes melt white chocolate into the batter for even more flavor. The white chocolate buttercream is rich and sweet which works great with the tart berries. These are definitely on the sweeter side but the raspberries keep them from being cloying. Great for people who love white chocolate or when you want something that feels indulgent. Get the recipe here.

Raspberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

These taste like individual cheesecakes but in cupcake form. Usually there’s a graham cracker crust in the bottom of each cup, then cheesecake filling with raspberries swirled through or on top. Some recipes layer the raspberry sauce between the cheesecake and regular cake. These are richer than regular cupcakes but so good. Perfect for special occasions when you want something that feels fancy but is easier than making a whole cheesecake. Get the recipe here.

Raspberry Coconut Cupcakes

The coconut in these comes from coconut flakes in the batter and sometimes coconut milk too. The tropical coconut flavor works surprisingly well with raspberries. Some recipes top these with coconut buttercream and toasted coconut flakes. The texture contrast of the soft cake, juicy berries, and chewy coconut is really nice. These are different enough to be interesting but still familiar enough that everyone will eat them. Get the recipe here.

Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes

These taste like summer in cupcake form – all the flavors of raspberry lemonade but in dessert form. The cake usually has both lemon and raspberry flavors, and the frosting is often pink from raspberry puree. Some recipes include a lemonade glaze that soaks into the cake for extra flavor. These are bright, fruity, and refreshing which makes them perfect for summer parties or picnics. Kids especially love these because they taste like their favorite drink. Get the recipe here.

Funfetti Raspberry Cupcakes

Adding rainbow sprinkles to raspberry cupcakes makes them extra fun and colorful. The sprinkles don’t add much flavor but they make everything more festive looking. Some recipes use white cake with sprinkles and raspberry filling, others mix raspberries right into funfetti batter. These are perfect for kids’ parties or anytime you want something cheerful and celebratory. The combo of fun sprinkles and fancy fruit feels both playful and special. Get the recipe here.

Raspberry Buttercream Filled Cupcakes

These have a hollow center that gets filled with raspberry buttercream or jam after baking. You use a cupcake corer or knife to cut out the center, then pipe in the filling. Some recipes dip the tops in chocolate ganache which adds another layer of flavor. The surprise filling makes these feel special and fancy. They’re a bit more work than regular cupcakes but worth it for special occasions when you want to impress people. Get the recipe here.

Gluten-Free Raspberry Cupcakes

These use almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend so everyone can enjoy them. The key is getting the right flour mixture so they don’t taste “special diet.” The raspberries help keep them moist which is always a challenge with gluten-free baking. Some recipes add xanthan gum for better texture. These taste just as good as regular cupcakes when done right. Perfect for parties when you have friends with dietary restrictions. Get the recipe here.

Raspberry Champagne Cupcakes

These are fancy adult cupcakes with actual champagne in the batter and sometimes the frosting too. The bubbles in the champagne help make the cake light and fluffy. Most of the alcohol bakes off but you get a subtle champagne flavor that’s really elegant. These are perfect for New Year’s Eve, weddings, or any celebration where you want something sophisticated. The combo of fruit and bubbly feels very fancy and special. Get the recipe here.

Raspberry Cream Cheese Swirl Cupcakes

These have cream cheese batter swirled through the regular cupcake batter which creates a pretty marbled effect. Some recipes add raspberry puree to the cream cheese mixture which makes it pink and adds more berry flavor. The cream cheese keeps parts of the cupcake extra moist and adds a slight tang. These look impressive when you cut into them but aren’t actually that hard to make. My personal favorite because I love anything with cream cheese! Get the recipe here.