As a curtain is drawn on the final days of 2013, I find myself contemplating…the discovery of ten cupcake treasures in 2013! From the World Wide Web constellation of sites touting spectacular sweets, eight cupcake recipes were destined to slip into my must-make file. Every single recipe meets the Ninja Baker cupcake standard: appealing and attractive, do-able and delicious!

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Serendipitously, eight is the number associated with prosperity in Japan.
(A stream of fortune broadens with each brush stroke
of the Chinese character for eight. )
 

Two articles sparkling with cupcake tips and fun facts were also spotted and savored in 2013. (Scroll down to see the links.)

Life is short: Why not please the senses with pretty cupcakes? Here are eight links to recipes which are sure to please even the pickiest cupcake connoisseur.
 

1. Oreo Cookies and Cream Cupcakes from Alida’s Kitchen 

America's favorite sandwich cookie appears in Alida's Kitchen's 
Oreo Cookies and Cream Cupcakes.
(Photo Courtesy of Alida's Kitchen)

2. Milo Cupcakes with Condensed Milk Buttercream from All That’s Left Are The Crumbs
 

Milo - Australia's Ovaltine - makes for magical chocolate malted cupcakes
from All That's Left Are The Crumbs.
(Photo Courtesy of All That's Left Are The Crumbs)
 

3. Mounds Brownie Cupcakes from That Skinny Chick Can Bake

A candy bar in brownie batter! 
Mounds Brownie Cupcakes from That Skinny Chick Can Bake

(Photo Courtesy of That Skinny Chick Can Bake)

4. Honey Banana Cupcakes with Nutella Ganache from Neighborfood

Nutella ganache is drizzled atop a banana cupcake. 
A blissful creation from Neighborfood.
(Photo Courtesy of Neighborfood)

5. Mini Coconut Cupcakes from Noshing with the Nolands

Puffs of mini coconut cake and frosting perfection from Noshing with the Nolands.
(Photo courtesy of Noshing with the Nolands) 

6. Green Tea Steamed Cakes from Just One Cookbook

Forget the oven! Green tea steamed cupcakes from Just One Cookbook.
(Photo courtesy of Just One Cookbook)

7. Mocha Cupcakes with Cappuccino Frosting from Desserts Required

Swirls of cappuccino cap a mocha cupcake.

A coffee lover's delight from Desserts Required.

(Photo Courtesy of Desserts Required)

8. Midori Melon Cupcakes from Ninja Baking

Japanese Midori Melon liquor tickles the cake and frosting of the Ninja Baker's cupcake.
 (From NinjaBaking.com )

Click here for a few pointers from Diana's Desserts on Tips for Cupcakes.

Cupcakes are a necessity of life. The Cake Spy explains Why Cupcakes Are Nutritious.