Celebrities: Cupcake Madness

SPOTTED: Droves of celebs are reportedly flocking to Sprinkles Cupcakes in Beverly Hills for a sugary sweet fix. Among them: Paris Hilton, Barbra Streisand, Jessica Alba, Tyra Banks, Jake Gyllenhaal, Courtney Cox, Terri Hatcher, Marcia Cross. They've also appeared on Oprah's faves list.

WHAT CAUGHT OUR EYE: Not only are these confections innocent and summery-perfect, they're also validating. So hats off to all you trensetting parents made cupcakes for school parties and soccer games before they were served for Suri's first birthday.

GET IT: $46 from Sprinkles Cupcakes. Or make your own. I recommend a simple recipe taken off the Hershey's Cocoa can lid. I've made chocolate cakes with renowned chefs, and nothing compares to this one:

Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake

2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. 2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. 3. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. About 30 cupcakes.

"Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Frosting

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter or margarine
2/3 cup cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.