You can give a traditional vanilla cupcake a new twist simply by being creative in the way you top the dessert. Here are a few suggestions on how to dress up your desserts for your next party.

• Flower power: Arrange decorative candies in floral patterns on the frosting of each cupcake. Chocolate-covered sunflower seeds make effective petals.

• Make a wish: You can make bite-size mini cupcakes if there’s a large dessert selection available. Be creative – if it’s a birthday party, why not sprinkle each cupcake with powdered sugar and insert a candle in each one?

• Sweet sundaes: Cupcakes and ice cream drizzled with hot fudge create the perfect sundae.

• A tinge of tartness: Instead of frosting, top your cupcakes with candied citrus slices. To create this tart topping, simmer thinly-sliced lemons or unpeeled, seedless oranges in syrup over low heat then cool slightly.

• Short stack: While this term usually applies to pancakes, you can “short stack” your cupcakes as well. Slice a cupcake into three layers, separate the layers with a spread of whipped cream and top each cupcake with berries.

• Priceless preserves : Create layers by sandwiching fruit preserves in your cupcakes. First remove the top from each cupcake, using a small cookie cutter with your favorite shape. Put a small spoonful of preserves in the center of each cupcake and dust the cupcakes with powdered sugar. Carefully place the tops of each cupcake on the appropriate bottom.

For more decorative dessert ideas, visit RealSimple.com.