But with cake maker Tina Impett there's also something more homespun. How to stop her two-year-old daughter scoffing the decorations.

Tina, from Bures Road, Great Cornard, soon found out that to a toddler a hand-crafted icing flower is just another sweetie.

Roses, lillies and butterflies that get past mummy's little helper end up topping a swirl of buttercream on individually-decorated cupcakes.

It means local cake-lovers can now buy into a trend that has risen faster than a feather-light sponge since Sex and The City's fashionistas decreed cupcakes were the new chocolate.

Tina's family kitchen has been the hub of a new venture since Easter when she decided eggs were old hat.

"I made a box of cupcakes for my family and friends instead. They liked them so much they told me to go into business, and I decided to give it a try," she said.

"I've always been artistic, and I love baking. I've always made biscuits and things for the kids at home," said Tina, who is married to Damon and has three children, Lloyd, 16, India, 12, and two year-old Isabel.

"So I really enjoy doing the cupcakes. Each batch is like a blank canvas to decorate."

She will make cakes for any occasion. Customers can order a single one to wish a friend happy birthday or a spectacular tiered tower for a wedding.

Now she is working on ideas for tiny individual Christmas cakes, which will be sold in clear boxes tied up with ribbon.

Most of the cakes are made from basic sponge mix and because she uses her own kitchen cooker she cannot bake more than 36 at at time.

Customers can choose how they are decorated. Sometimes that means painstakingly cutting and moulding dozens of icing roses less than an inch across.

"I have been perfecting the art of making flowers. The other day I had made a batch of canna lillies, and Isabel found them and ate them, so I have to be more careful now," said Tina.

Anyone wanting more information can contact her on 01787 371475.