5 reasons why the cupcake will never get old

With their nostalgic appeal, fun size and limitless bounty of flavours, cupcakes are a timeless baking classic. These five get our tick of approval for wow-factor.

Source: Armelle Habib

Michelle’s apple "cupcakes"

Living in the sweet spot between muffin and cupcake, these little cakes are really just cooked apple slices held together by batter. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. The honey butter topping gives them their golden hue and a little extra crunch. Recipe here

Source: Supplied

Chocolate coconut cupcakes

Been asked to bring a plate for a mixed bag of guests? Nothing says ‘crowd-pleaser’ like coconut and chocolate. And, these ones aren't laden with refined extras; instead, they're made from raw cacao, gluten free flour, rice malt syrup and coconut milk. Recipe here

Source: Alexx Stuart

Cardamom and orange cupcakes

Featuring candied fennel and topped with a cardamom icing, these spiced and citrusy cakes will stand out in a crowd of bakes, all thanks to the lovely, warming hero spice shining through. Recipe here

Source: Armelle Habib

Hello Kitty cupcakes

A little hit of kitsch can go a long way in the baking stakes, if for nothing more than offering Instagram opps aplenty. These super cute cupcakes come with a few surprising flavour punches; think lychee syrup, rose water and freeze-dried raspberries. Recipe here

Hello Kitty cupcake Source: Jen Lo

Chocolate cupcakes with salted caramel frosting

For the lover of classic flavour combinations, these chocolate cupcakes use a cheats’ salted caramel recipe, so you can rest assured there’s not half a day’s worth of stove-side stirring involved – and not at the expense of a rich, finish, either. Recipe here

Chocolate cupcakes with salted caramel frosting Source: Alan Benson