Bursting Citrus Flavors

• Angel food and citrus is truly a match made in heaven. A classic butter cream becomes intensely mouth-watering when vanilla and lemon are added to the mix. Mascarpone, a rich, fluffy Italian soft cheese is a perfect base for lemon. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh lemon zest to mascarpone and whip to perfection. Another delicious base for zesty lemon is cream cheese. Allow the cheese to reach room temperature before mixing with a bit of sugar, lemon and vanilla. To create a refreshing Key lime frosting to pipe on to your cupcakes, mix butter, confectioners’ sugar, cream, a few drops of vanilla and fresh or bottled Key lime juice.

So Berry Delicious

• Berries and angel food is another delectable pairing. Add vanilla to further enhance their flavors. Mix pureed strawberries into a butter cream with a dash of vanilla for a lightly sweetened pink frosting. Blackberries add a sweet tartness to frosting for an unexpected flavor and purple coloring. Crushed raspberries can be blended into whipped cream for a luscious topping for your cupcakes. Sprinkle colored sugar onto the tops of berry-flavored frosting for a delightful effect.

Luminous Meringue

• A delicate puff of meringue is a light topping for airy angel food cake. Whip egg whites with a bit of sugar until perfectly peaked. A teaspoon of fine beet powder, found at health food stores, and added to the eggs can give this frosting a gorgeous pale pink color. A kitchen torch is the tool you need to toast the top of the icing for a slight marshmallow flavor. For a richer meringue, whip together corn syrup, egg whites, sugar and a few tablespoons water. Beat until stiff peaks form then fold in vanilla. Coconut flakes sprinkled on top add texture and rich flavor.

Decadent Chocolate

• Feather-light angel food is an excellent backdrop for sinful chocolate. Beat together butter, sugar and cocoa powder. Add the mixture to a pastry bag and pipe onto cooled cupcakes. White chocolate frosting pairs perfectly with light angel food cupcakes. Chocolate shavings -- white or dark -- add a sophisticated look to a simple cupcake. Deep, rich chocolate fudge also complements moist angel food. For a lighter icing, add cocoa to fresh whipped cream to frost your cupcakes.