A cupcake is a little cake, individual in size, that’s usually topped with frosting. These dainty treats are a popular dessert choice for parties, birthdays and even weeknight meals. They can be customized with toppings, sprinkles and flavor mix-ins to make them special. These little cakes are easy to bake, and they’re a delicious way to celebrate any occasion.

While it’s not known when the first cupcake recipe was written, cupcakes have become a universal favorite and are often referred to as “mini cakes.” In the last decade or so, the artisanal food economy has allowed many passionate cooks to start their own small businesses. These companies often focus on a particular type of food or baking, such as cupcakes, pie, cookie dough, cake decorating or muffin-of-the-month clubs.

Cupcakes are easier to bake than a whole cake, and they offer the opportunity for aspiring chefs to show off their decorating skills. They’re also more portable and serve a greater number of people than a single slice of cake.

Many recipes call for a combination of flour, sugar and milk or water to form the base of the batter. The addition of baking powder helps the batter rise and adds lightness to the final product. Eggs help the batter bind, adding moisture and flavor to the cupcakes. Butter or oil adds flavor and tenderness. To avoid overmixing, it’s best to add wet ingredients and dry ingredients separately.

Using a large spoon or ice cream scooper ($11, Crate & Barrel) to gather up the batter is less messy than trying to scoop the batter with your hands. After the dry ingredients are mixed, most cupcake recipes instruct you to alternately add the wet and dry ingredients. Adding all the wet ingredients at once can cause the batter to separate and result in heavy, dense cupcakes.

After a few minutes in the oven, the sweet scent of cake will fill the kitchen. The cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool before frosting and topping.

To spruce up your cupcakes, use different types of sprinkles (jimmies, nonpareils or crystal sugar) and colors to create unique decorations. Try a drop flower, star or rose tip for more elaborate designs. You can also write words like congratulations or happy birthday with a frosting bag and a writing tip.

Cupcakes are an easy way to indulge in your sweet tooth after a meal, and they’re ideal for children’s birthday parties or after-dinner snack time. They can be arranged in unique configurations on the plate and served with a glass of milk or wine. They can also be served paired with other desserts, such as fruit or cookies. Just remember to serve them with care to prevent a gummy mess. A cupcake with a mouthful of frosting falling onto the floor is not a good thing to eat. Besides, you should be getting enough sugar in your diet from other foods.