Cupcake Wars competitor Annette Starbuck and her team at Goodie Girls have catered for dozens of famous clients, including Disney, DreamWorks and Jay Leno. Their cupcakes are a sight to behold, made from scratch and always topped with edible glitter for that extra sparkle.

Anna Kelly of AK Cookies 'n Cupcakes loves taking classic flavors and adding her own little twist. As she says, it's "confection perfection" for not only cupcakes but cookies and cakes. If you've never had an Irish car bomb cupcake or a vegan dark forest chocolate cupcake, now's the time.

The cupcakes here are nothing short of divine, with flavors beyond everyday vanilla and chocolate. Cakes like Clementine, Black Truffle, Lavender, Red Wine and Butter, as well as frostings such as Honey Saffron, Basil Mascarpone and Curry Meringue, satisfy even the most esoteric cravings.

On Food Network's Cupcake Wars, the owner of Joe's Place competes for the chance to win $10,000 and have his cupcakes featured at an exclusive party for the Hollywood Black Film Festival.

Darla's Cake Design is devoted to "bringing layers of happiness to your day." Making the bridge from online to brick-and-mortar bakery, drop by for the Cupcake Wars-featured Billionaire Cupcake with raspberry-rosewater Cake, fresh raspberries, vanilla cream, rosewater frosting and raspberry drizzle.

Whatever you dream up, Sweet Dreams Cake 'N Things is ready to make it a reality. This Cupcake Wars veteran has been in the trenches with baking cakes, too, having made intricate and edible Versace purse cakes, football helmets and elegant showstopping wedding cakes.

At Cakes Come True Bakery in Chino, Calif., owner and Cupcake Wars recruit Kinnie Haskins infuses her cupcakes with flavors based on Southern recipes she learned as a child, such as Spiced Carrot and Momma's Cornbread. Locals also love classic treats like Red Velvet and Triple Chocolate.

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.

Within this delightful Costa Mesa, Calif., retreat, you'll find all the makings of British teatime: finger sandwiches, savories, pastries and, of course, tea. Take a seat for the hosted tea service, or nosh on dessert to-go. The cupcakes, for instance, come in classic and seasonal flavors.

At Cupcakes Couture in Manhattan Beach, Calif., Cupcake Wars veteran Stephanie Franz prides herself on making cupcakes that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Their selection includes classics like Old Fashion Chocolate, petite Neapolitan treats and designer creations like Caramel Apple.

The ovens of Beckers Bakery & Deli have been sweetening up Manhattan Beach, Calif., with cakes, cookies and donuts since 1942. When owner and journeyman baker Todd Becker took a shot at Cupcake Wars, his sweet and savory Cinnamon, Maple and Bacon Cupcake took "cake for breakfast" to a new level.

For Heavens Cakes in Thousand Oaks, Calif., touts itself as the ''home of the 99 cent cupcake,'' giving customers delicious treats for a price that can't be beat. Owner Lisa Donahue was a fierce competitor on Cupcake Wars, and her Chocolate Bomb cupcake has become a signature dessert.

Baking cakes, cupcakes and cookies, Emma Marie's Cakes in Tustin, Calif., can make anything from the traditional to the witty, with flavors such as Campfire Cake and Root Beer Float. This Web-based operation doesn't stop at baking; it also offers event planning and cupcake booths for fund-raisers.

Everyone loves cookies and cupcakes, so why not put them together? That’s exactly what Cupcake & Cookie in Thousand Oaks, Calif., has been doing. Owner and Cupcake Wars recruit Dorothy Tong bakes clever creations like a Confetti Unbirthday cupcake with a chocolate fudge cookie in the center.

At Parties by Panache in Brea, Calif., Chef Kasia Maslanka serves up cupcakes for all types of events. The cupcake menu includes simple treats like the Plain Jane as well as complex creations like the Apple Jack — as a result, it's no surprise that Kasia soon arrived at the Cupcake Wars arena.