We thought the whole cupcake thing was over, but apparently not.

Even if you’re plumb tired of all the fuss, the “Big Book of Cupcakes: 150 Brilliantly Delicious Dreamcakes” (Oxmoor, $19.95) might just pull you back in. These clever and creative cupcake ideas come from Jan Moon, owner of Dreamcakes Bakery in Birmingham, Ala. The first chapter, “Cupcakes 101,” will fill you in on equipment and techniques. The rest of the book is divided into seasons, just in case you didn’t know you’re not supposed to serve a green cupcake decorated with a shamrock in December.

Moon includes plenty of traditional flavors, such as lemon icebox and red velvet, but also tempts you with lemon-basil, Key lime, mojito, and a honey and fig cupcake with mascarpone frosting. The “Completely Nuts” cupcake may drive you completely nuts thinking about it. It’s a chocolate cupcake with old-fashioned caramel frosting, caramel drizzle and coconut-pecan topping. If you don’t like nuts or coconut, you can substitute toffee bits and chocolate morsels for the topping.

There are token gluten-free and vegan cupcakes in the book as well, but just one of each. In general, this is not a book for people watching their intake of gluten, eggs or dairy.

– Meredith Goad, Staff Writer