Enlightened Desserts Pictures

light cupcakes
©iStockphoto/Ruth Black
Cupcakes don't have to be a bad thing. There are several you can enjoy guilt-free. See more
pictures of enlightened desserts.

Food fads come and go, but there's no denying that the cupcake has stood the test of time. These miniature cakes are more popular than ever thanks to the designer cupcake bakeries that have cropped up in major cities all over the country. The famous Magnolia bakery in New York City may have started this dessert revolution. With appearances on the television shows "Sex and the City" and "Saturday Night Live," the busy bakery got some great exposure and became the trendy spot to treat yourself in New York. Cupcakeries in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and many other American cities have since popped up, and business is booming. Georgetown Cupcakes in Washington, D.C., bakes as many as 5,000 cupcakes per day [source: NPR].

While these glorious treats can pack on the pounds, they don't have to. Here are five low-calorie cupcake recipes you can try at home.