Elinor Klivans

by (photographer) France Ruffenach

photographs by France Ruffenach

What's short and sweet and cute as a button? Cupcakes! And everyone loves 'em! Trusted favorites at picnics, potlucks, and bake sales, cupcakes go equally well at relaxed and informal gatherings or at elegant parties. Here are 50 scrumptious ways to bring smiles and those nostalgic memories back faster than a kid can lick the batter off a beater. Try a Cinnamon Sugar Puff Cupcakethey go from mixing bowl to oven to one happy taker in less than an hour. Who needs a peanut butter cup whenthere's a peanut butter cupcake in the house? Ethereal Lemon Angel Cupcakes soar even higher when served with some fresh seasonal fruit. With tips and techniques for perfect cupcake-making, basic head-start" recipes, and gorgeous photographs, it's time to get out the baking pans and join the cupcake craze. These diminutive cakes may be small but they stand tall in the world of sweets.