Cupcakes are customizable. These individual treats can put a smile on your face even in the worst of circumstances. In a bind? Try baking one of these simple and delicious recipes. Chances are the smell of melting chocolate and creamy frosting will make you forget you even had a problem.

Your boss just handed you the pink slip. Don’t make a scene on your way out. Make something sweet to ease the pain of unemployment. Try these cookies and cream cupcakes. (Still dreaming of slashing your superior’s tires? Just think: These cupcakes have Oreos baked right into them.)

You’ll need:

1 box devil’s food cake mix

water, vegetable oil and eggs (amounts vary based on individual mixes)

1 container whipped white frosting

1 package Oreo cookies

Step 1 – mix cake ingredients according to box directions

Step 2 – place one Oreo at the bottom of the cupcake wrapper

Step 3 – pour batter over cookies and bake according to box directions

Step 4 – let cupcakes cool

Step 5 – spread frosting on cupcakes

Step 6 – garnish with crumbled Oreos

Step 7 – update your resume

Your professor calls you into his office. He lovingly tells you that you failed the midterm. Those three episodes of “Jersey Shore” and eight minutes of studying evidently have not paid off. Go home. Eat chocolate. Make these double chocolate cupcakes with white truffle frosting.

You’ll need:

1 box devil’s food cake mix

water, vegetable oil and eggs (amounts vary based on individual mixes)

1 container vanilla frosting

1 cup white chocolate chips

Step 1 – mix and bake cake according to box directions

Step 2 – let cupcakes cool

Step 3 – microwave white chocolate chips for one minute

Step 4 – blend melted chocolate with frosting

Step 5 – spread over cupcakes

Step 6 – GTL

You thought everything was going great, but your beau apparently didn’t. He or she just gave you the boot. Don’t wallow alone. Wallow with these cookie dough cupcakes.

(Was it a long-term relationship? Buy some extra cookie dough for a mid-baking snack.)

You’ll need:

1 box double chocolate cake mix

1 package cookie dough

1 container French vanilla frosting

Step 1 – roll cookie dough into balls and freeze for two hours

Step 2 – mix cake ingredients according to box directions

Step 3 – pour batter into cupcake pan

Step 4 – place frozen cookie dough balls on top of each cupcake

Step 5 – bake according to box directions

Step 6 – let cupcakes cool

Step 7 – spread frosting (take it easy – these are rich)

Step 8 – Facebook stalk every person who’s ever written on your ex’s wall

That cutie you’ve had your eye on is finally coming to your apartment. You have to make something sweet to encourage a second visit. Fill your place with the smell of warm chocolate and sugar with these super sexy red velvet cupcakes.

You’ll need:

1 box red velvet cake mix

water, vegetable oil and eggs (amounts vary based on individual mixes)

One container cream cheese frosting

Red food die (for decoration)

Step 1 – mix and bake cupcakes according to box directions

Step 2 – let cupcakes cool

Step 3 – spread generous amount of cream cheese frosting on cupcakes

Step 4 – place small dot of dye on cupcake and swirl with knife

Step 5 – hope for the best

It’s 1 a.m., and you’re still reading over those same two sentences in that Quantitative Chemical Analysis book. (What kind of professor assigns 60 pages of reading, anyway?) You’ve got another 59 to go. Grab one of these chai tea latte cupcakes for a boost.

You’ll need:

1 box French vanilla cake mix

water, vegetable oil and eggs (amounts vary based on individual mixes)

3 tablespoons chai powder mix

One container vanilla frosting

1 cup white chocolate chips

ground cinnamon

Step 1 – mix ingredients according to box directions, combining the chai tea mix with batter

Step 2 – bake according to box directions

Step 3 – let cupcakes cool

Step 4 – microwave white chocolate chips for about one minute and stir

Step 5 – blend melted chocolate with frosting

Step 6 – spread generous amount on cupcakes

Step 7 – garnish with cinnamon

Step 8 – get back to reading

It’s time to meet your special someone’s parents. Bring some flowers for mom and a firm handshake for dad. Grant yourself some extra brownie, uh, cupcake points with these from-scratch banana bread cupcakes.

You’ll need:

Cake:

4 large egg whites

1 cup milk

2 tsp. vanilla

3 cups cake flour

1 ½ cups sugar

1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

1 ½ sticks butter, softened

3-4 mashed ripe bananas

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup finely chopped walnuts

banana chips for garnish

Frosting:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 tbsp. butter

1 tsp. vanilla

3 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar

Step 1 – preheat oven to 350° F

Step 2 – in medium bowl, combine egg whites, vanilla and ¼ cup milk

Step 3 – in a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt

Step 4 – add the butter and remaining milk to large bowl

Step 5 – stir until combined

Step 6 – add the egg, vanilla and milk mixture to the large bowl; beat until combined

Step 7 – stir in walnuts, cinnamon and banana

Step 8 – pour into cupcake pan

Step 9 – bake 22 to 24 minutes

Step 10 – let cupcakes cool

Step 11 – beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth in medium a bowl

Step 12 – gradually add the confectioners sugar until smooth

Step 13 – spread generously on cupcakes

Step 14 – garnish with banana chips

Step 15 – reap the benefits

Contact Taylor Rogers at [email protected].