Good things come in small packages

Over the years, I have developed a love of the tiny little cupcake. There's something about this blissful miniature treat. The perfectly portioned dessert - trendy, pretty, grab-and-go dessert. Add a glass of wine, and you've given me 5 minutes of a heaven-sent retreat.

I think the passion started about 4 years ago when a co-worker's sister started a little cupcake delivery business called Beau Coup cupcakes. They were these adorably decorated treats that looked too good to eat. I first ordered red velvet from her with a wedding theme so my husband and I could celebrate our first anniversary (no stale year-old wedding cake for us!), and again for my step-daughter's birthday, and again for my birthday...And alas - the obsession was born.

Since then, I've been on a search for the perfectly baked cake in a cup. Which I've found to be no easy feat. The careful combination of icing and cake is like a finely tuned instrument, easily off balance with a flick of the wrist. So up and down the southern coast of California I go and sometimes further yet, with Red Velvet on my mind. I decided that I'd share my search with the world. And maybe someone else will enjoy the trip as much as I will. I'll also share my cupcake recipes along the way, photos, the good and the bad. Because a treat this good has to be shared.