Ah, How Sweet in South Pasadena, Calif., is the event guru to turn to for cupcakes and cakes that are beautiful inside and out. Customized for the occasion and designed using the finest ingredients, each treat will have you saying, Ah, How Sweet. Simply submit an order form online.

My Sweet Cupcake in South Pasadena, Calif., has desserts for nearly everyone, including dozens of vegan and gluten-free options. Locals agree that their specialty cupcakes, including crowd-pleasers like Chocolate Pretzel and Pink Lemonade, are absolutely worth the trip.

Cups cupcake bakery and lounge in La Jolla, California, is green to the core. The organic, sustainable and locally sourced pantry pumps out grandma's classics with a modern sensibility. Don't miss the feisty Vanilla Vixen, spicy Churros and Chocolate or luscious kaffir lime-topped Coco-Limey.

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Darlene Perry serves Studio City, Calif., full-flavored sass, one cupcake at a time. Trading a mike for a mixer, this former songstress (the "Cupcake Diva") has poured her soul into Passions Pastries and Cupcakery. She has customers singing on high for the Lemon Drop cupcake with fresh berries.

Chef AJ has built a name for herself as one of the highest-profile supporters of healthy vegan cooking in the country, having been featured on Cupcake Wars and The Tonight Show. At her cooking classes in Los Angeles, she teaches how to cook meals that are both nutritious and fulfilling.

What started as a catering company for Najmia Manjoo blossomed into an ever-expanding cupcake shop. As a Cupcake Wars veteran, Najmia's known for her decadent flavors like Mango Coconut and Tiramisu. The most popular one, Oreo Truffle, is made with rich chocolate cake and Oreo cookie ganache.

In Sherman Oaks, Calif., Buttercelli Bakeshop is known for delicious though healthful cupcakes, specializing in organic, vegan and gluten-free treats. The Cupcake Wars competitors also excel at making baked goods like homemade Pop-Tarts and thumbprint cookies, both local favorites.

Roseann Lugo adds the gourmet touch to each of her 85+ cupcake flavors. The signature French Toast & Bacon cupcake is not only a sweet breakfast-dessert treat, but also won best cupcake in the Bay Area. Not in the mood for breakfast? Try the Churro cupcake — a real dessert winner.

Eating with your eyes is the only way Alison Riede knows how to do it. As an artist turned baker (she doesn't think they're all that different), she delivers custom creations to Santa Barbara with the online-only Sugar Cat Studio. Her prize piece: a sweet and savory Cheddar-Pecan cupcake.

Peace, love and rock star cupcakes, baby! Crushcakes & Cafe brings a rock 'n' roll edge to from-scratch sweets. With flavors like sexy Buttermilk French Toast, Bananas and Cream with Caramel and Strawberry-Champagne up on deck, the only thing coming out of a box are the dozen or so you bring home.

Customize your favorite flavor cupcake with Create Your Own Cake, an online bakery that specializes in cookies, brownies and custom cupcakes. Choose from more than 20 batter flavors, then pick your favorite frosting to top your treat, available as both miniature and regular-size cupcakes.

On this episode of Food Network's Cupcake Wars, the owner of Sweet Rachel Desserts competes to win $10,000 and have her cupcakes featured at a celebrity-packed holiday tree lighting ceremony in Hollywood.

The cupcakes and cookies at Tiffany's Sweet Spot will satisfy any sweet tooth cravings. No display case here — owner Tiffany Thorpe guarantees all her cupcakes are made fresh to order. Get in line for the everyday flavors of Peanut Butter Crunch, Salted Caramel Mocha and Chocolate Blondie.

Boy likes cake. Boy bakes cake. Boy opens bakery. That's the story of ConfeXion Cupcakes + Cake - brainchild of Anthony Valerio and his aunt, Vandy. They've stocked a cupcake emporium with innovative cupcakes like The Villain (fresh lime margarita) to The ViXXXen (cayenne red velvet).