Cupcakes & Muffins

Christmas cupcakes are always welcome after everyone’s had a chance to let their dinner go down - or as a centrepiece at your Christmas party. We’ve selected our pick of the best festive cupcakes which combine wintery, Christmassy flavours with fluffy sponge and smooth, sweet icing.
If you’ve got little ones who want to join in the baking fun, why not let them help out, and <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/baking-tips/how-to-ice-a-cupcake-with-buttercream">ice your cupcakes</a>? Our <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/buttercream-icing">buttercream icing</a> is quick and easy to make, and simple to pipe onto your cupcake creations. Try our <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/salted-chocolate-buttercream">salted chocolate buttercream</a> for an ultra-festive twist on traditional buttercream icing, and top with a chunk of chocolate of your choice. Why not pop your favourite Quality Street on top for a super festive flavour?
Top tip - <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/baking-tips/how-to-freeze-cupcakes">freeze your cupcakes</a> if you’re able to make them ahead of time to free up your kitchen, and minimise mess.&nbsp;

Top view of Christmas Cupcakes decorated in icing with santa, reindeers and stars

There’s nothing like a Christmas cupcake with a cup of tea - or even a mulled wine. Here’s our pick of the most festive cupcakes for your family and friends.

Easy Christmas cupcake recipes

From breadsticks to brioche, sourdough to pizza dough - we have a medley of bread and dough recipes to see you through from breakfast to dinner.&nbsp; 
 
Love a 'pop in the breadmaker' bake? Or perhaps more of a 'get stuck in and sticky' <a href="/recipes/bacon-and-cheese-loaf">hand baked loaf</a>? Whatever type of baker you are, bread baking apprentice to artisan extraordinaire we have the best bread recipes.

Allinsons-Naan-Bread-1-1-Baking-Mad-3.jpg

Making your own bread from scratch is incredibly satisfying. We also have pizza dough recipes, doughnuts and so much more. Try them out today.

Bread Recipes | Easy & Delicious Bread & Dough Recipes

Fill your house with the aroma of freshly baked bread

Bread & Dough

There are lots of ways to make a cake; dress it up with decorations or celebrate its full naked glory. A ‘drop of vanilla’ birthday cake, "one more slice" banana bread or decadent chocolate cake recipes. Rolled. Stacked. Filled. You bake the rules. 
 
For beginners, the classic <a href="/recipes/lemon-drizzle-cake">Lemon Drizzle cake</a> is the perfect crowd-pleaser. Or for more experimental bakers, stack the tiers high and fill the cakes with hidden surprises. When cake is life, not just for birthdays, we say let’s get baking.

Cookie, Oreo & Brownie Layered Cake with a slice cut out of it. 

Baking a cake is a fine art, but one that can be mastered by many. Browse through our cake recipes and find the perfect one for you.

Cake Recipes | Easy Cake Ideas

Traditional bakes and classic cake recipes

Cake recipes

Easy C<a href="/recipes/chocolate-truffles">hocolate Truffles</a>, quick<a href="/recipes/vanilla-fudge"> Vanilla Fudge</a>, fluffy <a href="/recipes/snowy-marshmallows">Marshmallows </a>and even pink sugar mice! Take a trip down memory lane and get lost in our simple and delicious confectionary baking recipes. 
 
From old school nostalgic sweets, <a href="/recipes/white-chocolate-snowies">Snowies</a> and <a href="/recipes/chocolate-nutella-mice">Chocolate Mice</a> to <a href="/recipes/turkish-delight">Turkish Delight</a> and <a href="/recipes/peppermint-creams">Peppermint Creams</a>, why not mix and match our recipes to bake and create your very own 'Pick n Mix' just the way you like it! Confectionary is our favourite thing to whisk up and experiement with flavours and shapes to create a Willy Wonka World of your own! With our<a href="/recipes/creme-egg-scotch-egg"> Creme Egg Scotch Eggs</a> &amp; <a href="/recipes/chilli-chocolates">Chilli Chocolates</a>, you can surprise and delight your taste buds!
Our easy <a href="/recipes/collections/homemade-gifts">edible gift recipes</a> are also the best baking present to make for loved ones for any celebration, especially Christmas &amp; Easter. Our pretty <a href="/recipes/rose-water-meringue-kisses">Meringue Kisses</a> and <a href="/recipes/melting-moments">Melting Moments</a> are perfect to batch bake and bag up to gift to teachers, friends &amp; family over Christmas, or make things extra magical this Christmas with our &nbsp;<a href="/recipes/muscovado-christmas-tree-meringues">Christmas Tree Meringues </a>or <a href="/recipes/white-chocolate-and-pecan-christmas-fudge">White Chocolate &amp; Pecan Fudge</a> - perfect recipes for confectionary beginners.

Top view of Rainbow Meringues in a bowl, with Rainbow Meringues scattered around next to a bag of silver spoon caster sugar

The most exciting confectionery and sweets recipes including Turkish delight & chocolate fondant are on Baking Mad. Pick your favourites and make them today

Confectionery Recipes | How to Make Homemade Candy Sweets & Chocolates

Confectionary baking recipes, fuss-free and full of flavour.

Confectionery

Crunch, snap or dunk. However you like to eat your biscuits, we have something for everyone. Our irresistible 5* Millies <a href="/recipes/copycat-chocolate-chip-millie-s-cookies">chocolate chip cookie recipe</a> is a must for all cookie lovers. You call it eating the whole batch, we call it taste testing.&nbsp; 
 
When it comes to biscuit recipes, go simple with <a href="/recipes/shortbread-fingers">shortbread</a> or spice up your life with <a href="/recipes/gingerbread-dough">gingerbread</a>. There's even a <a href="/recipes/dog-biscuits">dog biscuit recipe</a> for your pampered pooches.

Side on view of a stack of vegan and gluten free chocolate chip cookies

Cookies and biscuits can often be confused, but either way, they are delicious and easy to make. We have loads of recipes for you to try out. Happy baking

Cookies And Biscuit Recipes | How to Make Easy Biscuit & Cookies at Home

Fill up your biscuit tin!

Cookies & Biscuits

Mini or mighty, one in a jar, for the best cupcake recipe you needn't look that far.&nbsp;Vanilla, Oreo, Biscoff? Chocoholics, all hail the 5* <a href="/recipes/mary-berry-chocolate-cupcakes">Mary Berry chocolate cupcake recipe</a>.&nbsp;Keep kids busy with <a href="/recipes/chocolate-cake-pops">cake pops</a> and <a href="/recipes/simple-fairy-cakes">fairy cakes</a>. We even have <a href="/recipes/feta-cheese-and-herb-cupcakes">savoury cupcakes</a> to jazz up lunchtime. 
 
Mad about muffins? From blueberry to banana muffin recipes; the tastiest way to sneak in your 5 a day. <a href="/recipes/gluten-free-chocolate-and-cherry-muffins">Gluten free muffins</a>, <a href="/recipes/vegan-blueberry-muffins">vegan muffins</a>, you will be spoilt for choice.

Nutella Cupcakes with glass bottle of milk in the background

Cupcakes and muffins both have a place in our hearts and they’re similar in looks and how they’re baked. Here are our favourite cupcake and muffin recipes.

Cupcakes & Muffin Recipes | Easy Recipes & Best Bakes

Bake a batch & share with friends!

All about the heavenly desserts? Whatever the season or occasion we have dessert ideas from summery meringues, pavlovas to panna cottas. In winter snuggle down with warming and comforting puds, whether it be&nbsp;a humble crumble or creamy rice pudding. 
 
If cheesecake is your kryptonite we suggest you look away now - from <a href="/recipes/new-york-baked-cheesecake">New York Vanilla</a> to <a href="/recipes/toblerone-cheesecake">Toblerone</a>, our selection is guaranteed to leave you weak at the knees.

2 glass jars of eton mess, raspberries, edible flowers and vanilla extract

Desserts come in many shapes and sizes. Baking Mad has a full collection of dessert recipes that you simply have to try. Get them here.

Dessert Recipes | Easy Desserts for Every Occasion

Browse dessert recipes for every occasion

Desserts

Ice cream recipes have never been simpler, no ice cream maker needed! Maple fudge, strawberry ripple, mint choc chip and rum – no need to be so vanilla (although this is also yummy). Serve in an <a href="/recipes/arctic-roll">arctic roll</a>, <a href="/recipes/fruity-knickerbocker-glory">knickerbocker glory</a>, <a href="/recipes/ice-cream-cookie-sandwich">cookie sandwich</a> or an indulgent ice cream cake, guaranteed smiles all round.
It’s not just ice cream recipes; granitas, sorbets, frozen yoghurts and ice lolly recipes. Lots of icy delights, so free up your freezer.

Bowl of ice cream, apple and slices, brown sugar packet

Discover the perfect homemade ice cream & ice lolly recipes with the latest tips, and learn how to make anything from vanilla ice cream to an ice lolly.

Ice Cream & Lollies | Easy Frozen Homemade Treats

There's nothing better than homemade ice cream...

Ice Cream & Lollies

Fluffy <a href="/recipes/buttercream-icing">basic buttercream </a>(or frosting) really is the icing on any cake. Simple to whip up, satisfying to gobble up. Master a buttercream recipe and experiment with flavours, or add cocoa for the best <a href="/recipes/salted-chocolate-buttercream">chocolate buttercream</a>. 
 
From rainbow buttercream, roses or ruffles, we have the piping tips and techniques to grow your decorating skills. More of an icing traditionalist?

Try one of our many icing & buttercream recipes and make something delicious today Learn how to make the perfect icing or buttercream filling for your cake.

Icing & Buttercream Recipes | Simple & Easy Sweet Toppings

From royal icing to fondant icing and flooding, we have it all

Icing & Buttercream

You can’t beat homemade, bursting with fruit and veg. <a href="/recipes/lemon-curd">Lemon curd</a>, <a href="/recipes/orange-and-whisky-marmalade">Orange and Whiskey marmalade</a>, <a href="/recipes/glitter-strawberry-jam-with-champagne">glitter Strawberry jam</a> - your toast has never tasted so good. 
 
Revolutionise your tarts and pies with chutneys, curds, jams and jellies that will have your friends begging for the recipe. It couldn't be simpler with our friendly tutorials, you'll know how to make jam in no time.

Discover jams, marmalade, chutneys & other preserve recipes on Baking Mad. Jams & preserves are a key part of many traditional cuisines all over the world.

Jams & Spreads | Easy Homemade Preserves

Are spreads and preserves your jam?

Jams & Spreads

Traditionally <a href="/recipes/basic-pancakes">thin crepes</a> or thick and fluffy <a href="/recipes/american-pancakes">American Pancakes</a>? Stack with berries, maple and bacon, or fill with spinach and ricotta. 
 
Keto, Vegan or Gluten Free, the humble pancake is flipping fabulous whatever the occasion. For the ultimate batter indulgence, a mountain of waffles drizzled with syrup or a plate of cinnamon Churros dipped in chocolate. Heavenly.&nbsp;

Stack of American pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and topped with fresh berries

Pancakes aren't just for Shrove Tuesday. From crepe to American style, discover the variety of exciting pancake and pancake batter recipes on Baking Mad.

Pancakes, Crepes & Waffles

Pancakes are for life, not just for Pancake Day

Whether you need a simple shortcrust pastry recipe, fabulous filo or puff perfection, we have something for everyone. Even Vegan potato pastry. 
 
Learn <a href="/baking-tips/how-to-blind-bake-pastry">how to blind bake pastry</a> and once you have mastered the basics, tart it up to your hearts delight. Travel the world from Danish pastries to French Pastries, Austrian Strudels to Greek Spanakopita. Sweet or savoury. Steak pie or apple pie. We have more swirls, rolls and turnovers than a gymnast.

Looking for a easy, tasty pastry recipe? You've come to the right place From Yorkshire puddings to apple pies, discover the many recipes on Baking Mad.

Pastries, Pies & Tart Recipes | Easy Ideas for Best Savoury Bakes

Grab your rolling pins and let’s get baking.

Pastries, Pies & Tarts

How to make scones has never been easier with our foolproof tips and tricks on how to rub together butter and flour. Whether you’re “jam then cream” or vice versa there's something for everyone. 
 
Sweet or savoury. Cheese scones galore. Marmite lovers will go crazy for our <a href="/recipes/cheese-and-marmite-scones">Cheese and Marmite scones</a> - the ultimate taste sensation. Bring your ‘A’ game to afternoon tea with these easy scone recipes. The yummiest fruit scones, calorie conscious, buttermilk and <a href="/recipes/gluten-free-afternoon-scones">gluten free scones</a>.

scone with strawberries and cream on a plate 

Discover our easy scone & shortcake recipes from Baking Mad & find your favourite scone recipe. Learn the secrets of this traditional English treat

Scones & Shortcake Recipes | Baking Mad

Once they’re scone, they’re scone

Scones & Shortcakes

We have the perfect accompaniment to any pud - velvety <a href="/recipes/vanilla-custard">vanilla custard</a>. Or for a touch of nostalgia, a spoonful of feel-good <a href="/recipes/pink-custard">pink custard</a>. 
 
For ultimate indulgence, our <a href="/recipes/salted-caramel-sauce-three-ways">salted caramel sauce</a> is pure heaven. Drizzle on ice cream, or hide inside melt-in-the-middle puds; it’s also tasty eaten secretly by the spoonful. Gift these sweet sauces to your loved ones and you will be guaranteed friends for life.

Find the most delicious sweet sauces recipes on Baking Mad. Whether you're looking to make bread, caramel or cranberry sauce, you can try one here today

Sauces & Condiments | Simple Homemade Sauce Recipes

Feeling Saucy?

Sweet Sauces

Can we tempt you with a traybake? Breath-taking brownies, blissful blondies, fabulous flapjacks. Maybe our millionaires shortbread recipe? Crunchy biscuit base, velvety caramel and sweet chocolate to finish. 
 
Is your mouth watering yet? Traybakes are a cinch with kids - like our ‘anything goes’ <a href="/recipes/biscoff-rocky-road">Rocky Road recipes</a>, simple to make and scrumptious to snuffle. You're in the right place for the yummiest traybake recipes.

Salted Caramel Cookie Traybake pieces stacked on top of each other with a hand reaching for the top piece. A bottle of milk in the background and jar of caramel sauce in the foreground

Traybakes are a delicious collection of baked cakes, slices and squares that are baked in a tray and then sliced up into portions. Find your traybake match here.

Traybake Recipes | Easy Flapjacks & Best Brownies

Deliciously simple traybake recipes

Traybakes

We understand it can be challenging as a vegetarian baker sometimes, but lack of vegetarian baking recipes or inspiration needn’t be a reason to bake less. 
 
We love to celebrate all the fresh fruit and veggies in season, crafting baking triumphs to showcase them. From squidgy, <a href="/recipes/gluten-free-carrot-courgette-cake">gluten free carrot courgette cake</a> to vibrant, <a href="/recipes/vegetarian-pasties">Hairy Biker Vegetarian Pasties</a>, you're in the right place. So live life on the veg. Your day is about to get a whole lot tastier.

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Vegetarian Recipes

Satisfying vegetarian comfort food

Vegetarian

Easy

Biscoff Cookies

Stack of cookies on a white plate with a box of sugar open next to it

A little effort

Brown Butter and Salted Chocolate Cookies

Broken homemade Millie’s cookie with chocolate chips and salt sprinkled on

Copycat Chocolate Chip Millie's Cookies

Recipes

Tips & Tricks

Allinson's

Make time baking, time well spent with Allinson’s. Allinson’s bread flour makes magic with your everyday loaf and brings mealtimes to life with the best pizza dough. A few minutes spent kneading, then leave the Allinson’s yeast to get to work and rise to the occasion.&nbsp;

Time well spent.

Our top Allinson's bakes

Enter your email address below to subscribe to our Allinson’s email mailing list for monthly bread related recipes, tips and competitions.&nbsp;

Fancy an extra serving of dough?

"Best cinnamon rolls I've ever made!"

For a homemade dough you knead to know about.

Deliciously rewarding with Allinson's 

Know your dough with Allinson's

Billington’s

A top down view of chocolate brownies next to a packet of Billington's Dark Muscovado Sugar

Crafted from unrefined natural sugar cane and carefully produced to lock in all the natural molasses, make Billington’s your sugar of choice for the tastiest of bakes. With unique richness, depth of flavour and natural golden colour, Billington’s sugars will enrich your everyday bakes.

For the gooiest brownies & richest chocolate cakes.

Our top Billington's bakes

"Out of this World!"

For gooey, rich bakes every time. Use #bakingmad to feature here!

Better baking begins with Billington's

Discover the World of Billington's Sugars...

What does Billington's bring to my bake?

Nielsen-Massey

Nielsen Massey Vanilla Extract being added to Vanilla Extract Cupcakes mixture

Nielsen-Massey extracts and vanilla bean paste are the perfect choice for quality flavour and convenience when home baking. A drop or drizzle of Great Taste award winning Nielsen-Massey will add the best vanillary depth and flavour, bringing to life not only your next bake, but delivering deliciousness time and time again.&nbsp;

Your bake deserves only the finest flavouring.

Our top Nielsen-Massey bakes

"Makes the World of difference!"

For the best natural vanilla flavour every time. Use #bakingmad to feature here!

A dash of the World's finest vanilla...

Elevating your bakes since 1907.

Silver Spoon

Silver Spoon is inspiring Britain to create more moments of baking joy. From a dollop of icing on your fairy cakes, lighter-than-air golden sponges and the fluffiest buttercream to top your celebration showstopper - this is your perfect baking partnership. So grab your whisk, crank up the oven and get your bake on with Silver Spoon.&nbsp;

For your "I made this!" moments.

Our top Silver Spoon bakes

"My buttercream is so smooth and sweet..."

Share your baking moments with #bakingmad.

Discover baking joy and sprinkle in some Silver Spoon.

To drizzle or to dollop?

Our Brands

These gingerbread cupcakes really are an all-year crowd pleaser, whether it's with a cup of tea or sharing with loved ones at Christmas time. 
 
Topped with lashings of buttercream flavoured with Billington's light muscovado and cinnamon, and drizzled with sticky toffee sauce, what's not to love?

Gingerbread Cinnamon Cupcakes

Try these bite sized treats and wow your guests.

Baileys and Chocolate Mini Cupcakes

These delicate cupcakes contain peppermint syrup made with Nielsen-Massey peppermint extract, perfect for special occasions.

Chocolate & Peppermint Cupcakes

We just love these Christmas Tree Cupcakes. Not only do they look fantastic, they taste fantastic too. Our friends at Billington's and Anchor Butter have teamed up to create this easy step by step recipe which makes 12 wonderful little Christmas Tree Cupcakes. Great for keeping little hands busy!&nbsp;

Christmas Tree Cupcakes

Chocolate and Irish Liqueur! These cupcakes are going to be a star of any girls’ night in. Best eaten watching a soppy chick-flick.&nbsp;To make non-alcoholic icing replace the Irish Liqueur with another flavour (like vanilla extract) or add melted chocolate.

Irish cream liqueur topped cupcakes 

If you are not a fan of the traditional Christmas fruit cake but would still like a festive cake - then this Giant Christmas Cupcake is the one for you. This giant cupcake has a delicious chocolate sponge and is filled with a chocolate peppermint buttercream. Baking and decorating this cake&nbsp;is a fun activity to get the family involved with and is sure to be a showstopper that all your friends will comment on.

Giant Christmas Cupcake

Looking for cute Christmas cupcake ideas? These Christmas cupcakes are perfect for a party, for Christmas day, or even as a gift for someone.

Christmas Cupcakes

These bite size beauties are delicious and the cointreau really compliments the chocolate making a sweet alcoholic treat. These are great for parties and will be sure to be a hit with your guests.

Cointreau & Chocolate Cupcakes

These great-tasting, light and fluffy pink cupcakes are made with champagne for an extra-special touch. They're the perfect addition to a hen weekend, bridal shower, or wedding day feast - as well as a super-romantic dessert for Valentine's Day.&nbsp;

Pink Cupcakes

Give your everyday cupcakes the Christmas glow up they deserve! Juliet Sears has created the cutest Reindeer Cupcakes to ever have been served at a Christmas party. Using broken pretzel pieces, red Smarties and black icing you can recreate these adorable Reindeer cupcakes in your kitchen this festive season.

Reindeer Cupcakes 

Wow your friends with these beautiful gold praline topped cupcakes that look and taste exquisite. &nbsp;

Gold Praline Topped Cupcakes

These festive cupcake are great fun to make with the children, and a lovely gift idea for their teachers.

Gingerbread men cupcakes

This jolly father christmas sugar paste&nbsp;decoration will look great on top of cupcakes or to sit on the top of your Christmas cake. It is also fun to make with the family.

Father christmas cupcake

These pumpkin cupcakes are a great autumn treat and perfect for Halloween parties. We think you'll love making these Pumpkin Spiced Latte Cupcakes because they are flavoured with coffee extract, warming cinnamon and sweet pumpkin.

Christmas Cupcake Recipes

Festive cupcake recipes for Christmas time

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