Cupcakes, sometimes called baby cakes and fairy cakes, are small, individual cakes, usually wrapped in paper containers and topped with frosting. There is some debate about the origin of the word "cupcake", with some postulating that the cupcake got its name based upon the small cups used to measure ingredients for each individual cake.

Cupcakes are a favorite at a child's classroom party. Since there are so many children this makes the perfect way to provide enough cake for everyone without having to cut and measure a regular sheet cake. They also make a logical choice because they can be decorated in a manner that appeals to children of all ages.

Cupcakes can also be dressed up and served at an elegant adult party, or accompany an afternoon luncheon or tea. Many people have started having cupcake wedding cakes as an alternative to the tiered cake. The cupcakes stack and make an elegant presentation when placed on tiered shelves.

There are as many specialty pages on holiday style cupcakes in Mahalo as there are holidays. These pages have iboth simple and intricate ideas for holiday cupcakes and special decorating hints and tips to make the holiday more special. The holidays make such a unique opportunity to be creative and original and to help with that there are many ideas on the following Mahalo pages.

April Fools Cupcakes This page has alternative ideas to fool the diner in honor of the day.

Christmas Cupcakes This page is full of ideas to make the holiday a little more festive using cupcake ideas from Martha Stewart and other leading crafting sources.

Easter Cupcakes A page that has creative fun ideas like Bunny faces on the cupcakes.

Halloween Cupcakes Instructions on how to make the cupcakes look like they have been covered in spider webs and other creative spooky ideas.

Hanukkah Cupcakes Ideas such as making a Menorah out of a series of nine cupcakes.

St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes Creating green cupcakes and shamrock shaped cupcakes are all detailed in this page.

Thanksgiving Cupcakes A page filled with ideas from making a pumpkin cupcake to a turkey cupcake.