Okay, I'm sure you're already aware of the cupcake craze at the moment.  Ever since I heard about bakeries serving to-die for cupcakes, I'll find myself having cravings in the middle of the night.  So the first moment I traveled to both LA and NYC, my first stop was the famous bakeries Sprinkles Cupcakes and Magnolia Bakery.  First off, Sprinkles Cupcakes was a long wait but well worth it.  I ordered 4 cupcakes to share with my girlfriends in fun-filled flavors such as Red Velvet, Banana, Lemon, and Mocha.  Each cupcake was at moist as can be, fresh from the oven homemade style.  My favorite was Red Velvet--the chocolate was perfectly sweet and the inside was just delightful.  Magnolia Bakery also brings back euphoric memories.  I felt like I was in an old-fashioned setting, so warm and inviting that I felt like I was in my mother's kitchen.  I ordered about 5 dozen pastel colored cupcakes for the Baby & Kids Boom Boom Room NYC.  Kids at the event snatched the cupcakes instantly, while mothers didn't even realize the cupcakes were real since they were so pretty.  So overall...should you splurge more than several dollars for a single cupcake due to these  new trends?  I would say yes on occasion, because the experience is incomparable.  But if you'd like to save money and have cupcakes anytime anywhere, I would suggest buying the Sprinkles Cupcake mix or finding recipes from Williams Sonoma and such.  It's definitely more satisfying than your average grocery store cupcake mix.  Oh...and cupcakes are a great alternative to your traditional bridal shower, wedding, baby shower, or birthday cake!

For more tips on cupcakes, visit Cupcakes Take the Cake.

To make cupcakes at home, visit Girl Gourmet.