Ever wonder how cupcakes, once reserved for children's' holiday treats and bake sales, came to be all the rage at luncheons, weddings - and even black tie events?

Considering the variety offered in this dessert, our bet is that this trend will become tradition.

One of the things that make cupcakes so wonderful, is that you can offer such a variety of flavors and colors, even in one batch.

And flavors like double espresso chocolate and chai latte have joined the menu listings of more traditional flavors such as devils food, butter cake, vanilla and lemon.

Icing colors are also getting more interesting from soft rose to vivid fuchsia.

Here's how to create a bouquet of flavors and tints in one batch.

After whipping up some white frosting, divide into separate dishes. Then add a couple drops of food coloring and your flavorings and mix. Use gel or paste coloring for dark or intense colors.

If using crusting buttercream, remember to keep the bowls covered with damp cloths.

How to Bake Great Cupcakes

If your cake recipe doesn't include instructions for cupcakes, try these tips.

- A cake recipe that yields two 9-inch cakes will make 24 cupcakes.

- Fill each cupcake liner 2-3.

- Bake for around 21 to 26 minutes at 350° F (adjust for high altitude) or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.

- Cool your cupcakes in their pans on wire racks for around 5 to 10 minutes, release and then cool completely on racks.

- Using your fingertips, gently brush off any loose crumbs from the cupcakes.

- To frost, place a dollop of icing on top of a cupcake, and then spread with short strokes. If it doesn't smooth easily, heat your knife under hot tap water.

Depending on how you plan to decorate, create a smooth icing finish or add more frosting and swirl up into a peak.

- Now it's time to decorate. Elegant or fun, you can pipe a decoration, or use decorating favorites like sugarcraft figures, gumdrops and other candies, grated chocolate or coconut (or both), or sprinkles.

You'll find lots of inspiration in magazines and by searching "cupcakes" at Google Images. Add some imagination, and you'll soon be a cupcake queen - or king!

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