Last night, as I was home cozying-in with my two kitty cats, cooking a mean batch of Rachel Ray's Chicken and Rice Stoup for the week and watching a repeat episode of "Samantha Who?" (a little cheer for the return of Christina Applegate to primetime - yay!), I was reminded of one of my very favorite comfort food items: the cupcake. On television, Christina Applegate was cozying-in on her own couch, munching on a tiny sweet treat, and I thought "now there is heaven in a cup". Yummy, or as Rachel Ray would say, "YUM-O!"

The cupcake trend is something that has perplexed many a wedding planner and baker. Why would couples forgo the amazing wedding cake creations of local bakers for a teeny, tiny version without the grandeur? Well, though I am a huge fan of the traditional wedding cake, and any type of dessert for that matter, without any effort at all, I can think of at least half a dozen reasons why cupcakes fit the bill for so many brides and grooms to be...

1. Fun! Cupcakes are just fun. They remind most of us of our youth - a simpler time when it was okay to indulge and a cupcake didn't seem so small...in fact, it seemed just right! Cupcakes certainly bring out the child in all of us. On another fun note, if you are into the optional "bride and groom smash cake in each other's faces" tradition, how much more fun would it be to smash an entire cupcake in your betrothed's open mouth? Come on!!!

2. Cost! A good wedding cake can runs anywhere from $8 to $20 a slice in the Bay Area, depending of course on your baker. I have seen (and tasted) cakes upwords of $20 a slice, and while there is no question that the cake's quality was magnificent, when you are preparing a reception for 200+ guests, that pricing starts to get a little ridiculous for some. Cupcakes are a less expensive option; and most shops only require a minimal deposit to hold the date.

3. Theme! A grandiose cake simply doesn't make sense for some weddings. If a fun, frivolous, carefree and casual day is what you intend your dream wedding to be, cupcakes may just be the right sweet treat to offer your guests when you seal the deal.

4. Taste! Sooooo good. That's all I have to say in this area... Some of my favorites are Kara's Cupcakes www.karascupcakes.com and Sibby's Cupcakery www.sibbyscupcakery.com ...try them...they're great. Really. I'm not just saying that...at all.

5. Something for everyone! From chocolate to strawberry to lemon to espresso. Can't decide which type you like best? Well, with cupcakes you don't have to. You can order many different flavors and have an entire table covered in beautifully decorated cupcakes in all different flavors. Okay, my mouth is beginning to water just thinking about them...

6. Flexibility/Ease! Whether you are planning a formal event or a backyard wedding, cupcakes can fit the bill. They can be dressed up or down, depending on your event. They are also much easier to eat on the run or to take "to-go" if your guests have to leave the reception a bit earlier than they would like. You can even get involved in the design of your cupcakes. Both Kara's and Sibby's will work with you to create special decor to crown your cupcakes with...

7. Locally Sourced! Okay, I know I said only half a dozen reasons off the top of my head, but if you are at all interested in where your food comes from (I sure am), Kara's Cupcakes proudly sources the majority of their ingredients from here in Northern California and many of them are organic. Come on, now that's just cool.

So in short, I say: viva la cupcake! I am a die hard if you couldn't tell, and now must leave you to go pop some of my own into the oven...30 minutes to YUM-O (thanks for that Rachel)!