Once upon a time, a family had only two recipes for cupcakesand#8212;chocolate and vanilla. Not anymore. Now Anne Byrn brings them to the next level. And who better? Recognized as the master of cake-mix baking, Anne is the author of The Cake Mix Doctorand Chocolate from the Cake Mix Doctor, which have a total of over 1.8 million copies in print. In Cupcakesshe offers 135 tempting recipes for children and grown-ups, for special days and everyday, lunch bags, holiday festivities, and an unexpected dinner party dessert.

Youand#8217;ll never believe these artful little cakes started with a mix. Coconut Snowballs, Jelly Doughnut Cupcakes, Kiss Me Cakes, Warm Chocolate Cupcakes with Molten Centers, Red Velvet Cupcakes with White Chocolate Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting. There are surprising additions (tuck a chocolate kiss orpiece of cookie dough into the batter). Creative toppings and easy from-scratch frostings (whipped cream spiked with Kahlua; miniature Mandamp;Ms; a creamy malted frosting with crushed malted milk balls).Terrific decorating ideas, from glittering golden dragees or elegant chocolate curls to yellow peeps for an Easter cupcake orand#8212;for Groundhogand#8217;s Dayand#8212;a groundhogand#8217;s face made out of chocolate frosting and jimmies. Includes a 16-page full-color opening essay.

But leave it to bestselling cookbook author Anne Byrn to take cupcakes to the next level. Proving that cupcakes can do everything a big cake can do, only better, here are 135 dazzling recipes and#8212;and you'll never believe they started with a mix.

Mastering the art of the cupcake, from mixing the batter to frosting and decorating. The pans, the pantry, and all you need to know to tote cupcakes to school functions, potlucks, and family reunions.

Cupcakes with Class (p. 22)

No one outgrows the love of cupcakes. Rich in sophisticated flavors, these are the desserts to serve at your most elegant dinner party: Warm Chocolate Cupcakes with Molten Centers, Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes, Fresh Pear and Gingerbread Cupcakes with a Creamy Lemon Frosting, and Coconut Snowballs.

Cupcakes for Kids (p. 94)

Loaded with kid appeal, these cupcakes are irresistible no matter what your age is. Try Butterfly Cupcakes with Pastel Frostings, Pineapple Banana Smoothie Cupcakes, Buried Treasure Cakes, Peanut butter Surprises, and A Cupcake Zoo, or one of the many other treats in this chapter.

Celebration Cupcakes (p. 170)

Special occasions deserve the most festive cupcakes. make Strawberry Rose Cakes for Valentine's Day, Fireworks Confetti Cupcakes for the Fourth of July, Pilgrims' Hats for Thanksgiving, and adorable Snowman Cupcakes for the winter holiday season.

Muffins: Breakfast Cupcakes (p. 220)

Freshly baked, warm muffins make a delicious sart to the day, and this chapter has plenty of favorites, both sweet and savory: Blueberry Yogurt Streusel Muffins, Butter Pecan Banana Muffins, Easy Granola Muffins, and Green Chile and Corn Mini Muffins, to name a few.

Cupcake Cousins (p. 272)

Desserts with cupcake aspirations: Mini Strawberry Trifles, Fresh Raspberry Cream Cakes, Little Chocolate Bar Cakes, and Mini Crandeacute;me Branducirc;landeacute;esand#8212;all made in a cupcake pan.

Cupcake Creations (p. 296)

When is a cupcake not a cupcake? When it becomes part of a wreath or a wedding cake or an artist's palette or a bouquet. With the right decorations, cupcakes can be used to form a magical centerpiece for any party.

Frostings and Glazes (p. 316)

A cupcake just isn't a cupcake without that final touchand#8212;a pretty swirl of homemade frosting or glaze. There are twenty-five to choose from, including Chocolate and malted Milk Buttercreams, Creamy Lemonade, Butterscotch Maple, and Caramel Pan Frostings. And an easy Basic Chocolate Ganache. What could be better?