Photo: Amazon.com

'Cupcakes!'
Recipes by Elinor Klivans
Photographs by France Ruffenach
Chronicle Books -- 2005
Buy it on Amazon

Though they've long been a trendy fascination, cupcakes won't be budging anytime soon. With the eternal rounds of birthdays and celebrations -- paired with the treats' adorable-by-nature appeal -- miniature cakes are the darlings of bakers and eaters of all ages.

And although boxed mixes are tried-and-true, Elinor Klivan's "Cupcakes!" cookbook offers simple recipes that elevate the delicacy with new flavors and inspirations.

The book includes recipes for the beloved yellow batter and the traditional chocolate as well as more adventurous treats, like Banana Butterscotch or Sticky Fig. There are breakfast varieties (Lemon Poppy Seed, Top-to-Bottom Crumb), seasonal varieties (Spiderweb Pumpkin Ginger, Spring Bouquet), fruity varieties (Strawberry Shortcake, Lemon Angel), everyday varieties (Carrot, Orange and Golden Raisin) and deluxe varieties (Lemon Coconut Snowballs, Boston Cream Pie), all boasting equally appealing appearances and ingredient lists.

See what we tested and find out whether the book's worth buying after the jump.

Takeaway Tips: This cookbook is bursting with cupcakes. There are "upside-down cupcakes, cupcakes with fillings spilling out of their sides, cupcakes with fillings hidden inside, tiny bite-size fudgy cupcakes and cupcakes covered in chocolate. ..." The list goes on. But beyond the dazzling array of recipes, we also appreciated the simple directions and beautiful layout.

Quality of pictures: Categorically, cupcakes are cute, so we admit that photographer France Ruffenach's job wasn't a trying one. However, the absolute perfection of the food styling as well as the photographer's artful eye make for the book's bigger-than-life aesthetic. Jumping from the inclusion of darling vintage accessories to straightforward close-ups of the cakes, the ample photos are mouthwatering throughout.

We tested: Easy-Mix Yellow Cupcake Batter and Peanut Butter Cupcakes

For the well-stocked cook, these recipes are fabulous for the fact that they can be whipped up on a moment's notice. While no better than the boxed-mix variety in taste, the Easy-Mix Yellow Cupcake Batter was nonetheless fluffy and flavorful. In future ventures, it would serve well as a base for the addition of fresh fruit, extracts or even herb-infused oil (lavender, anyone?).

Topped with a milk-chocolate frosting, the peanut butter cupcakes were superb. Moist and just the right amount of crumbly, they paired sweet and savory as skillfully as our beloved Reese's do. In a book devoted to saccharine sweets, it was also a welcome relief to find a less cloying snack.

Worth the investment: This loving ode to the sweet confection is a must-have. "Cupcakes!" as good as these are reason enough for celebration.