Cupcakes hopped into the spotlight in recent years but not for a mere 15 minutes. Cupcakes are as popular as ever, with cupcakeries popping up in the world’s chicest cities. Case in point: Sprinkles, the cupcake shop that was born in Beverly Hills and has expanded to a handful of US cities, including Chicago, New York and Scottsdale. But how are we Canucks supposed to satisfy our Sprinkles cravings with no Canadian locations to nip out to? Easy. Make them at home! If you ask me, making cupcakes is just as much fun as eating them. And thanks to Sprinkles mixes, available at Williams-Sonoma, you can whip up a dozen of these sweet delights in an hour or so. The mixes are beautifully packaged in colourful cylindrical tins and come in five tantalizing flavours: Dark Chocolate, Red Velvet, Vanilla, Lemon and Banana. Each package comes complete with the mix, a frosting recipe and the Sprinkles signature dots to top each cupcake with. I tried my hand at the Red Velvet cupcakes; they were a breeze to whip up and the taste? No one would ever have guessed that I hadn’t picked them up fresh from the bakery. Whip up a dozen of these tasty treats and share them with friends or pick up a few tins and get a jump-start on your holiday shopping. They make a wonderful gift! Sprinkles Cupcake Mixes, Williams-Sonoma ; $21.97 each.