Small cakes in paper cups

OK, while I was writing that title it just dawned on me why they are called cupcakes. I guess that shows I am an Australian.

When it came to baking, my mum and nan and our very anglo predecessors always called them patty cakes - because they were cooked in a patty pan. Logical yes, but as a child I do recall wondering at one point, who's Patty?

I grant you it does make perfect sense to call them cupcakes. But I guess it's what you are most familiar with. And when it comes to something like cake - and small, iced delicacies at that - the whole comfort food/memories of happy childhood moments/fun parties/ kicks in, giving them a special quality that makes them very connected to you.
Well, that's how it is for me and these small cakes.

{sweet little red velvet cupcake I bought from the wonderful Amy's Bread in Hells Kitchen, NYC. And it was yummy!}

So, for the benefit of an international audience, cupcakes it is. And here is a truly amazing site, full of the most delectable cupcakes.

{Ming makes cupcakes, found via dalhaus, via hither and thither}

Mmm, I can almost smell the cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon scented cake topped with delicious old-fashioned caramel icing. Yum!

Have I mentioned how much I love them?