Eat Cake! originally started as a home business run out of owner Hilary Larson's kitchen, but it has since expanded to a busy storefront in Newburyport, Mass. The cupcake menu includes favorites like Carrot Cake and Double-Dipped Chocolate Fudge, making them ideal competitors for Cupcake Wars.

Ever felt like savoring a gourmet cupcake with a glass of Merlot? That is exactly what customers can enjoy at Sweet in Worcester, Mass. Owner Alina Eisenhauer is a natural competitor, having appeared on Cupcake Wars, Chopped and Sweet Genius.

Sweet Retreat has been declared the number one cupcake shop in Minneapolis by CityPages, so there’s no doubt this shop's desserts are hard to top. The Strawberry Balsamic cupcake is a local favorite; other fascinating flavors include White Chocolate Raspberry and Coo Coo for Coconut.

As owner Ly Lo tells it, the reason behind the name Cupcake Caramel is they make the best caramel in the world. The judges on Cupcake Wars agreed, calling her salty caramel buttercream "divine." For an equally divine sweet treat, you must try her pistachio French macarons.

Kevin VanDeraa took a little sweetness a long way. His Minneapolis outpost, Cupcake, started with the gift of a cookbook in 1987. It hooked him on baking and now, equipped with three Cupcake Wars appearances and flavors like Boston cream pie and s'mores, the sky's the limit for his sweet adventure.

Rockin' Cupcakes co-owner Kara Ohngren sees cupcakes as another ode to rock legends. She showcased her bold flavors on Cupcake Wars and back home her cupcakes have been a No. 1 hit with locals. Try the Yellow Submarine lemon cupcake or the chocolate lovers' favorite: The Rolling Stone.

Three sisters (Mae, Melissa and Mallory) make up this very sweet, very vegan bakeshop. Together they continued vegan domination on Cupcake Wars. Meanwhile, customers devour the top-selling double chocolate cupcake. Or for a fruity fusion, try the mango or pina colada.

Online bakery The Cakeria creates custom cakes and more from scratch just for you. Either have it shipped, or the pastry chefs will travel to your next soiree and do the job, baking and all, on-site. This business concept may be nontraditional, but the custom cakes produced are old-school good.

On Cupcake Wars, judges couldn’t resist Heather Rousseau's cupcake packed with an addictive lemon-lime filling. You could say that winning Cupcake Wars gave Heather a sugar high. If you step inside her Michigan custom cupcake bakery (or SugarRush candy shop), you might get one too.

Jason Kakabaker (yes, Kakabaker) started his baking business making what he calls "the most decadent cupcakes you can buy." Ingredients include Merlot, cherries, lager and even Chardonnay. The Cupcake War judges took note, as Candace loved his decadent confections.

Michelle and Yolanda, founders of Taste Love Cupcakes in Royal Oak, Mich., met during college. Together they've competed on Cupcake Wars and shared their baked delicacies with the greater Detroit community. Their Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcake is locally renowned along with Vegan Chocolate.

Buckle up, Dorothy, it's time to head home. For sweet treats in Kansas, check out Billy Vanilly Bakeshops. Unplug and indulge with their sinful chocolate cupcakes topped with peppermint. Need more bite? Lemon curd cupcakes with lemon buttercream are the double-down best-sellers.

These two Emporia, Kan., sisters (sisters-in-law, that is) really know what's cooking in the cupcake kitchen. Those looking for inventive flavors should look no further. As they say here, "The sky's the limit," and with more than 120 flavors, from Key lime to bacon French toast, it truly is.

Smallcakes' philosophy is all about giving a cupcake to those in need of cheering up. Slowly but surely, owners Jeff Martin has been winning over locals and Cupcake War judges alike with their flavors like Chocolate Cream, the most popular, and the signature Cookies-n-Cream oreo cupcake.

With a Wedding Cake Cupcake on shelves at all times, you know this is the place to create your next custom cake for a celebration. Katie Bakes of Lafayette, La., is acclaimed for a lineup of tantalizing flavors like Birthday Cake, Red Velvet and Death by Chocolate.