This Orange, Calif., bakery does the classics — and does them well. Classic Carrot, Red Velvet, Pure Strawberry and other homey flavors are made to order here completely from scratch. Dive into a standard-size cupcake or go for a mini. Either way, expect tried-and-true flavor with every bite.

Frost Cupcake Factory owner Andrea Parks has perfected the frosting to cupcake ratio. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the bakery prides itself on taking popular flavors and combining them with the very best ingredients to create one-of-a-kind treats, like the fruity Strawberries & Cream.

On this episode of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, the owner of Zoey & Bailey’s Cupcakery and Sweet Treats competes to win $10,000 and have her cupcakes featured at a spectacular Match.com wedding event.

On this episode of Food Network's Cupcake Wars, the owner of Love Sugar Cupcakes competes to win $10,000 and have her cupcakes featured at a star-studded fundraiser.

Owning and running a bakery while still in college is no small feat, but that's exactly what Casey Reinhardt did when she opened Casey's Cupcakes in Riverside, Calif. Her passion for elaborate designs and fresh ingredients made her a formidable opponent on Cupcake Wars.

At Sweet Arleen’s, former banker Arleen Scavone has finally realized her dream of running a California bakery with a huge variety of treats. In addition to offering cupcake flavors such as Carrot Walnut and Lemon Lace, Arleen also sells bread puddings with unusual flavors like Rocky Road.

This family-owned bakery prides itself on classic baking with a modern twist. With cakes and frosting made fresh daily, the extensive cupcakes menu includes Margarita, Tomato Soup and Almond Champagne flavors and includes 12 vegan varieties. Look for daily flavors online or on Facebook.

Known to fans as The Armenian Baker, Seda Ashikian brings Middle Eastern flair to her sweet cupcakes and to Cupcake Wars. Back in Los Angeles, she brings a touch of whimsy to each of her fanciful layered cakes, and her dreamy red velvet cupcakes are truly a "sweet escape" from the ordinary.

Since appearing on Cupcake Wars, Kim Thurman and the team at Bake You Happy have opened two storefronts, in Valencia and Canyon County, Calif. Along with classics like Double Vanilla, customers can also get a Cupcake in a Jar - two cupcakes layered together in a Mason jar - for a twist.

Kokolita Cakes is a '50s-themed bakery specializing in cupcakes that also offers empanadas, sandwiches, and cheesecake. The cupcakes include fanciful flavors like the Holly Golightly, a champagne cupcake with fresh strawberries and cream cheese frosting garnished with a chocolate swirl cigarillo.

On this episode of Food Network's Cupcake Wars, the co-owner of Sugar Tart Desserterie competes to win $10,000 and have her cupcakes presented at the American Film Institute's Young Hollywood star-studded party.

There's nothing Soleil Cakes' Ana Mendoza hasn't been able to bake. Her customized baked creations include cakes and cupcakes with flavors like pumpkin spice and tres leches. Customers love choosing a cake shape — football, purse or zoo animal, the options are endless.

Using her Filipino roots to guide her, Michelle Munoz tackles cupcakes with a tropical flair. Ingredients include mango and coconut, as well as tried-and-true standards like maple and bacon. For a real treat, Michelle also features customized cakes, macarons and baklava on her catering menu.

At Double D Cupcakes, equal parts delicious and delightful are baked into every bite. When owner Marilyn Norris traded in her stapler for a spatula, her desk suddenly picked up a different kind of clutter: cupcakes with romantic names like Wild Irish Mint, Raspberry Truffle and Midnight Madness.

Cupcake Wars competitor CnC Cupcakes is an online bakery with the motto, "whatever bakes you happy." Owner Traci Sparks brings her passion for flavor to every cupcake and promises, "we can make anything work." There is no menu since every order is custom-made and any flavor imaginable is an option.