noshing

Wild-fennel pollen Aisha’s termis Trader Joe’s cornichons Ken’s Steak House Italian Dressing

Who says only the birthday boy or girl deserves an extra helping of icing? Party Favors in Brookline is well known for extravagant cake decorations, but fortunately the store’s refrigerator, which resembles a garden in over-bloom, is also stocked with a wide variety of cupcakes for those of us with a hankering for buttercream all year round.

The cakes range in size from the petite tea cupcake (65 cents), decorated with a dainty iced flower, to the jumbo ($2.50), adorned with an enormous botanical. A regular is available with just a swirl (95 cents) or a more elaborate decoration ($1.50) such as a rose or an elephant (complete with jungle foliage). All cupcakes are topped with buttercream frosting that’s just the way it should be: thick, brightly colored, and piled so high that the first bite leaves a small dollop of it on the tip of your nose. The cake, which is suitably moist and available in vanilla or chocolate, is merely along for the ride.

Available at Party Favors, 1356 Beacon Street, in Brookline. Call (617) 566-3330.