Celebrity Obsession: Cupcakes

Thu., Aug. 9, 2007 4:07 PM PDT by Lia Haberman

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage.com, PhotoDisc

We are nothing if not dedicated to the tireless pursuit of every celebrity trend—no matter how trivial. So, when we heard that Courtney Love gained 10 lbs. on Sprinkles cupcakes, just a day after the Today Show did a segment on the cupcake comeback, we knew we had to spring into action and put our mouths where the money was. Was there a delectable treat that could entice us to pack on the pounds à la Love?

In the single greatest act of interoffice participation since we stalked Nicole Richie and her dogs, Honeychild and Cleopatra, through the E! building, staffers set off to L.A.'s hippest bakeries in search of the best fatty sugarbombs. We visited Sprinkles, of course, plus all points far and wide, including Auntie Em's, Joan's on Third, Toast, Sweet Lady Jane, Doughboys, Dainties, Susie Cakes, Yummy and Buttercake. (Hey, with Lindsay in hiding, it's been a slow week.)

And, after spending close to $120 (Ryan Seacrest will just have to forgo his facial this week), taste-testing some 20 different samples (including red velvet, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, etc.) and gaining at least a pound or two, what was the verdict? Auntie Em's red velvet cupcakes won by a landslide. "Loved it and loved the larger size, too," says copy editor Ella Ngo.

Sprinkles came in second. "Yummy! If it's good enough for Courtney, it's good enough for me," says Planet Gossip columnist Marc Malkin. Doughboys may have been third, but there was so much bickering over whether their minicakes qualified that we lost track. The rest of the votes were divided fairly evenly among the other nominees, with shout-outs like "Joan's on Third: Great for Nicole Richie sightings." Good to know.

Some other observations:

Copy editors are really partial to cupcakes.
Gossip columnists are most likely to be on a diet.
Skinny girls were just as likely to participate (especially if they'd gone jogging earlier in the day).
Think soccer fans get out of control? You've obviously never encountered an intensely partisan cupcake hooligan.
Passing out free cupcakes may be more effective than sleeping with the boss.
Ours might possibly be the best job in the world (at least until upper management finds out).

There you have it. L.A.'s best cupcakes as judged by the dedicated employees of E! Online (and Courtney Love). So, the next time you see the slogan "E! We Love It Too," remember those aren't empty words...or calories.

Special thanks to our cupcake pimps: Erik, Ella, Kate and Sydne.