Cupcakes are the darling of the baking world these days. Not only are they perfect single serving treats that kids and grown ups alike just can’t resist, each cupcake is the perfect canvas for decorations from the simple to the extreme.

With a little imagination cupcakes can be crafted to be the perfect party table accessory, no matter what the theme. At a recent visit to Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach, CA, the cupcakes (above) were simple, elegant and oh, so delicious. My favorite, the carrot cake cupcakes, were topped with a cream cheese frosting and an orange swirled chocolate shaving.

My favorite online resources for Cupcake Inspiration are:

• Bakerella
• The Cupcake search on Flickr
• Cupcakes Take the Cake
• Martha Stewart Cupcake Recipes

And then my daughters and I could look at Cupcake Cookbooks all day long! Click on image for ordering information.