Chocolate Glaze

• Melt chocolate chips or chocolate melting discs in a microwave. Heat for 30 seconds and stir, and then repeat until the chocolate is smooth and melted. Dip the top of the cupcake into the chocolate or use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate on in an attractive design. Melt another color of melting disc and drizzle it on top of the chocolate layer for a more artistic look.

Candies

• Collect a variety of small candies or cookie decorations like sprinkles, colored sugar, minicandy-covered chocolates or any other favorites in your family. Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice together. Paint this mixture on top of the cupcakes. It will act as a glaze to hold the candies in place.

Fruit

• Mix a glaze, and then slice fruits into attractive small shapes. Fan the slices out on top of a glazed cupcake. Mix different fruits for a more attractive look. Try strawberry slices with kiwi slices or a pinwheel of mandarin oranges. You may top the fruit with more glaze for a shiny look.

Snowflake

• Purchase a fine doily or make a lacy snowflake by cutting one out of paper. Lay the doily on top of a cupcake, and then dust the doily with powdered sugar. The sugar will fall through the holes in the doily. Carefully remove the doily, lifting it straight up, so that you don't disturb the sugar design on the cupcake top.

Sundae

• Top your cupcake like it was a sundae. Swirl on whipped cream to a pointy peak, and then sprinkle on chopped nuts and top with a cherry with a stem. For a more elaborate recipe, cap the whipped cream with a tiny amount of ice cream topping before adding the cherry. This version is messy but very tasty.