Please enjoy this “sweetly” syndicated copy of our National Chocolate Cupcake Day article, originally featured on the Mom’s Choice Matters blog!

Who doesn’t love a good cupcake? No longer are they just for birthday parties and special celebrations. Cupcakes have truly made a grand splash from cupcake boutiques and specialty bakeshops to cupcake food trucks. They are the hot thing right now with creative, sophisticated and yummy combinations of frosting and cake.

The good news is that today is National Chocolate Cupcake Day, so why not take the family to get cupcakes or make your own? Either way – feel free to indulge! And of course you don’t just have to eat chocolate cupcakes when there are so many good flavors. Here are a few of our favorite recipes for fall (including chocolate of course):

Pumpkin: Great for this time of year with Halloween and Thanksgiving. Leave plain or decorate.

Chocolate: This is a great basic, yummy chocolate cupcake recipe your whole family will love!

Carrot Cake: A great way to add in a vegetable to your kids sweet treat recipe.

Peanut Butter: A super yummy recipe with chocolate frosting for a savory bite of cake!

Beyond the basic recipes, and to add some creativity into your day, try some of these uber-unique decoration ideas to turn your cupcakes into a work of art or culinary delight.

Adorably cute cupcakes from Martha Stewart.

Creative cupcakes from Real Simple magazine.

Fall-themed cupcakes for the whole family.

Lastly, after cupcake day has come and gone, if you want to keep the cupcake spirit alive, try these great “Crazy For Cupcakes” items from Action Toys. It’s an all-new line of customizable cupcakes and unique accessories as well as a cupcake carrier. A Mom’s Choice Award honoree, it’s a fun pretend play set for your kids.

What’s your family’s favorite cupcake flavor?