Entertaining

colorful birthday cupcakes on a green milk glass cake stand
WestEnd61, Getty images

12 Showstopping Birthday Cupcake Ideas

Skip the Pinterest fails with these easy but photogenic themes.

by Grace Gallagher
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Unicorn cupcakes are sure to be a crowd pleaser and this colorful concoction from Handmade Charlotte is easy to replicate at home. The rainbow horn is a free download (works best on thicker paper) and the ears are made with sticky Airheads.Handmade Charlotte
Fans of the Heeler family will flip for these cute cupcakes designed by @taylor_cake_designs. All you’ll need to do to recreate these is to pipe blue and tan or orange icing, then get some Bluey-inspired sprinkles. Bone appétit!@taylor_cake_designs
Blast off to infinity and beyond with these out-of-this-world rocketship cupcakes from Studio DIY. Perfect for kids who are outer space or Toy Story fans. Using cake pop dough and colored fondant, these are easy to make but they do take time.Studio DIY
This fun treat is anything but crabby. For an under-the-sea themed party, Handmade Charlotte has all the tips for how to make these super easy crab cupcakes using gummy lips and Twizzlers, plus vanilla icing dyed sea blue.Handmade Charlotte
Taste the rainbow with these super cute, 3D cupcakes from @bakewithrags. Funky sprinkles give a pop of color, and the rainbow comes to life thanks to icing and a colorful sour strip.@bakewithrags
Yep this cactus from Studio DIY may look like a full cake, but it’s actually a bunch of cupcakes which makes it so much easier to get the right shape. No need to break out the cake knife either, this pulls apart when it’s time to eat.Studio DIY
What’s better than a root beer float? Well, a root beer float cupcake like this clever creation from A Classic Twist. The recipe infuses real root beer into the cake, and ice cream into the frosting plus the cherry and the straw are the perfect toppers.A Classic Twist
If you’re not much of a baker but you can sew (or um, use tape) this easy cupcake topper from The House That Lars Built is for you. Store bought cupcakes get a creative upgrade thanks to the heart shaped topper that holds sprinkles so everyone can decorate their own treat. The House That Lars Built
This yummy peanut butter cream filled cupcake from A Pretty Life In The Suburbs reminds me a little campfire. The cake is part brownie part chocolate cake, the PB frosting is divine, and chopped Reese’s cups pull it all together.A Pretty Life In The Suburbs
A summer celebration calls for a beachy cupcake. Meatloaf And Melodrama has all the scoop on how to make these, but graham crackers make edible sand, and if you look closely you’ll see a little teddy graham relaxing on a sour candy towel.Meatloaf And Melodrama
Not only are these ice cream cone cupcakes from Lovely Indeed festive and cute, you can (almost) guarantee no kid will drop this resulting in a meltdown at the birthday party. Plus having the cone to hold saves hands from getting sticky.Lovely Indeed
These Harry Potter cupcakes from @bakewithrags are sure to be a hit among sorcerers. Plus it’s easy to know once and for all who’s a Hufflepuff and who’s a Slytherin based on the cupcake they choose.@bakewithrags