Well that didn't take long. A rep from the new Sprinkles bakery in New York just dropped off two dozen BlackBook-branded red velvet cupcakes at our offices, and within ten minutes every one of those bad boys has found its way into our collective bellies. Every one except for this one, that is, which I set aside for myself and will commence munching ... now.

When I see a cupcake, I immediately regress back to childhood, when cupcakes emerged at birthday parties and kids ate only the icing because it was the only good part. But these Sprinkles cupcakes are good all the way through, with a juicy, flavorful, spongey cake and cream cheese-based icing that's just the right amount of sweet. Paired with a cup of unsweetened coffee, it's the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. Health, shmealth.

Cupcakes have been a thing in New York since Carrie and Miranda sat in front of the West Village's Magnolia chatting about boys. Weekend lines still wrap around the corner, spurring a slew of imitators, some more successful than others. But Sprinkles represents some serious competition if this dreamy and rapidly-disappearing number on my desk is any indication. As it happens, Owner Candace Nelson is quite the cupcake Yoda, focusing on nothing but cupcakes in her shop and appearing as a judge on the Food Network's Cupcake Wars.

The shop, located by Bloomingdale's on Lexington Avenue between 60th and 61st Streets, boasts more than 50 different flavors, including banana, chai latte, and dark chocolate. They offer vegan cupcakes for those who eschew animal products but still like to get down with sugar, and they're even sensitive enough to have gluten-free versions as well, a fact much appreciated by my colleague Liz, who gazed upon our gluten-filled cupcakes with a mix of envy and sadness.

If this bold entry into the New York cupcake market sets off another frenzied cupcake war, so be it. Send all the fallen soldiers to our offices at 29 E. 19th Street. We'll give them a home.

Sprinkles Cupcakes New York opens on Friday, May 13.