Cupcakes are selling like ... well, hotcakes, so what’s up with fancy food trend? Is it the dainty size that speaks to our taste-buds and our waistlines?

Cupcakes are an affordable luxury in a recession and people crave familiar indulgences in uncertain times. According to an NPR discussion in 2009, there is actually an economic theory behind the boom, popular cupcake shops on either side of the country (like NYC and LA) inspire little shops around the country to open their own cupcake emporiums. 

Royal Oak's Taste Love Cupcakes was opened one year ago by two college friends, Michelle Wilson Brown and Yolanda Baston. The cupcake shop offers original flavors such as red velvet, banana cream, cherry almond, peanut butter and jelly, strawberry and champagne, lemon berry, chocolate chip cookie dough and vegan offerings, too. 

When asked about filming Cupcake Wars with Food Network, mum was the word, so you can bet it will be an exciting episode. Be sure to tune in this Sunday at 8 p.m. 

Whatever the draw to cupcakes may be, we sure love to peel the paper back like a present and sink our teeth, frosting first, into the perfect portion of fluffy cake.