Father's Day Cupcakes

Carrot cake is the straight-shooter of the cake world, and it hits the bull's-eye every time. With the earthy carrot as the star of the show, alongside aromatic spices and topped off with a creamy white chocolate cream cheese icing, this cake will delight any dad.

Pistachio lovers, rejoice! This pale green cupcake is made with real ingredients, and the recipe goes easy on sweetness, really letting the pistachio flavor shine. "These cupcakes are the real deal! No pudding mixes here, just roasted pistachios," says Candice. "Easy and quick to make, too!"

What can possibly make a dark chocolate cupcake better? Bacon, of course! Dark chocolate flavor — fortified with a secret ingredient: a cup of strong coffee — makes for a complex cake base, topped with creamy chocolate frosting and savory bacon crumbles. It's sweet-and-savory heaven!

If the father figure in your life loves fresh strawberries, this is the Father's Day cupcake for him. Fresh, ripe strawberry flavor comes through in this pillowy cupcake, which is topped with a satiny cream-cheese icing and, of course, garnished with a fresh strawberry.

This cupcake is somehow equal parts no-frills and ultra-decadence. "Banana, walnut, and chocolate are always an amazing combination of ingredients," says Chef John. "But it really doesn't get any better than in this ganache-frosted cupcake. Feel free to omit the frosting and just enjoy these as muffins."

Bedazzle your cupcakes with booze! "These cupcakes are made from scratch with a stout beer, then filled with an Irish whiskey-chocolate filling, and topped off with some Irish cream icing," says MeowTheCow08. Featuring stout, whiskey, and Irish cream, these chocolate cupcakes are a triple threat.

"These cupcakes are truly lighter than air and will melt in your mouth," says friedbluetomato. Bright citrus notes and an airy, butter-free Lemon Cream icing create the loveliest lemony cupcake. Lemon-loving fathers the world over will swoon!

If your dad is the type to reach for the peanut butter jar, then this cupcake has his name written all over it. Peanut buttery goodness is accented with melty chocolate chips. Top with your favorite chocolate or peanut-butter frosting — or, heck, combine them! — and get ready to see these cupcakes disappear.

Fudgy, chewy brownie texture gets a facelift with a fetching new cupcake silhouette, elevating the brownie to a look that's worthy of a proper Father's Day celebration. Plus, any tricks that you usually employ for your brownies can also be played with here — swirls of peanut butter, chunks of mint chocolate. Throw in dad's favorite flavors!

These clever cupcakes not only taste like a margarita, but you can also give them adorable salted rims, garnished with lime slices, and topped off with a straw. Whip up a fabulous Mexican dinner, then surprise him with these playful cupcakes.

Caramelized, crunchy pecan pie crust is the star of the show in this creative cupcake. Classic and beloved Southern pecan pie flavors delivered in a familiar cupcake vessel make this treat a crowd favorite that you'll be making over and over again.

"I came up with this for my friend's wedding—she wanted something different for her wedding cake: cupcakes," says BakinMama. "It turned out so good that I had to share!" A mild, nutty cake is topped with a dreamy salted caramel buttercream frosting worthy of a wedding!

For some dads, nothing beats the luxuriously creamy deliciousness of a classic cheesecake. These mini cheesecake cupcakes hit the spot. You can even whip up a blueberry or strawberry sauce, or crush some candy or cookies as a topper for these tiny treats.

"Delicious, light, and fluffy! The crystallized ginger gives them a lovely little zing," says Lisa Lewis. "Even people who don't like pumpkin love these cupcakes. These disappear as fast as I can set them out!"

Key lime pie with a creative cupcake-forward twist, these fun little cakes will transport you to the tropical Florida Keys. Hints of lime in its moist cake base topped with a delightfully creamy frosting — that's infused with lime zest, of course — make for a bright, sweet treat that dad will love.