Well, the great news is that cupcakes aren't just for kid's parties and bake sales anymore. Cupcakes have become an adult sensation!

Yes, that's right. Grownups from 20 to 95 can openly indulge in their love of cupcakes. According to news reports, there are lots of us cupcake lovers out there. From coast to coast in the United States, millions of adults are reveling in their cupcake fixation by lining up in droves to pay anywhere from $1.75 to $4 a piece for their little slice of cupcake heaven.

As with many things in pop culture, this new cupcake craze has its roots in Hollywood. A few years ago, popular television characters were seen enjoying cupcake treats at a certain cupcake bakery in Manhattan. Of course, all the drooling cupcake lovers out there said to themselves in unison: ?Whaa . . .? You mean there's a place that I can go and buy nothing but cupcakes?

Many viewers began making the trek to this fabled Manhattan bakery to see for themselves and now cupcake shops are springing up all over the country. Alright, now you're curious as to what the name of this gourmet cupcake bakery is . . . okay, I'll give it to you. It's called the Magnolia bakery. Now that you know about it, I'm sure you can't wait to visit, but before you go, realize that you'll be standing in a long line to get your cupcake groove on. Fortunately, there are several wonderful cupcake shops in New York City, like the fabulous Crumbs, that can satisfy your cravings.

Another popular cupcake shop on the West coast is Sprinkles, located in Beverly Hills. Celebrities can be seen basking in cupcake glory just like the rest of us. Oprah, a very famous cupcake lover, has even given away free cupcakes as a treat to her audience.

At some weddings, couples and their guests are enjoying a wedding cupcake tree instead of a traditional wedding cake. A cupcake tree features many decorative cupcakes ? like a flower cupcake ? sitting prettily on a cupcake stand or each delicate cake is placed into an individual cupcake box.

If you don't happen to live close to a cupcake shop, you can always indulge in some delicious cupcake eating at home. Why not get some friends together and throw a cupcake party?

Cupcake decorating is fun and each of you can use your imagination to create your own cupcake decorating idea. Of course, every good cupcake decorating party has to include cupcake sprinkles, but you can also use marshmallows, cookies, candy bits, maraschino cherries, decorative frosting bags and tips and, of course, lots of creamy frosting. You too can take cupcake decoration to new heights of sugary sweet temptation.

=> Red Velvet Cupcake Recipe

When you do get to visit a cupcake shop, you'll often find that this incredibly rich cupcake with the cream cheese frosting is among the most popular.

Cupcake

1 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vinegar

2 tablespoons baking soda

2 oz. red food coloring

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour

1 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium sized bowl, cream together the sugar and shortening. In a glass measuring cup, add the vinegar to the baking soda and let it dissolve.

Add the following ingredients to the shortening mixture: buttermilk, vanilla, eggs, vinegar and baking soda mixture.

In a small bowl, mix together the red food coloring with the cocoa powder; add this to the shortening batter. Slowly mix in the cake flour and salt.

Mix in the cream cheese filling (if desired) to create a marble effect.

Pour into muffin cups and bake for 45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cream Cheese Filling and Frosting

1/3 cup sugar

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cream cheese, egg and vanilla. Swirl 2/3 cup of the cream cheese filling into the red velvet cake batter. Reserve the rest for the topping (you can always use another flavor of frosting for the tops).