VICTORIAN novelist Anthony Trollope once proclaimed: "I am inclined to think that cakes and ale prevail most freely in times that are perilous and when sources of sorrow abound."

He wasn't wrong. When we're down-in-the-mouth, we seek solace in a cake.

But then again, we celebrate all those happy occasions in life – birthdays, anniversaries and weddings – with cake.

Put simply, any excuse will do.

And cupcakes in particular are a firm favourite.

A quick search on the internet reveals at least half a dozen companies making the fancy cakes in Notts.

So is there room for another?

Karen Attwood, who quit her well-paid job to set up her own company Classy Cupcakes, certainly believes so.

Since leaving her senior management post at the University of Nottingham last month Karen has not been short of customers.

The 46-year-old, who runs the business from her home in Beeston, said nationally sales have risen by 16% over the past year.

"The appeal is broad. It started in London with yummy mummy types but it delights a lot of people.

"There is something about a little treat. The cupcake straddles all ages and events. It brings a smile into somebody's life. One customer said: 'You're not just selling the butter and sugar, you are selling happiness'."

Karen remembers a childhood with homemade cakes baked by her grandmother, mother and herself.

Years later she found baking was the perfect antidote to a stressful day at work – and her colleagues got to enjoy the fruits of her labour, along with fellow members of the East of England Singers.

And when she found herself with a ready-made family five years ago she began baking even more for her three stepsons.

"Before this I was a career-minded, rather child-unfriendly person, but balancing the two, I gradually came to see that my strengths in management were built on a strong maternal style," she said.

She set up Classy Cupcakes at the end of last year, baking by night to fit in orders around her full-time job.

"I went on a food hygiene course and had environmental health to inspect the kitchen. I went through all these hoops and expected someone along the way to say 'This is stupid, stick to your job'.

"It became more and more compelling.

"Before I left the university I reckon I had baked 4,000 cakes. I haven't counted them since because I am so busy."

It was the number of repeat orders that convinced her there was a future in it, so she took the courageous step of leaving her university job.

"I am working just as hard as ever, earning less money but feeling much happier," she said.

Karen's cupcakes include dark chocolate chip with coffee icing and shaved chocolate, milk chocolate with sprinkles and rich vanilla with pink sugar, white chocolate flakes, marshmallow sprinkles and silver balls.

"They are made from really good ingredients. There is one with lemon zest in the sponge, lemon juice, lemon curd and lemon icing. It's not just a little bit of lemon, it's whoa!"

Favouring seasonal ingredients, her summer collection included strawberry and white chocolate and for winter, she's working on a Christmas range with lemon and ginger flavours.

One of her specialities is bespoke products. A bride who liked owls had cupcakes at her wedding decorated with the birds made out of royal icing and piped on features.

Corporate customers have included a well-known hotel chain.

"I can do the logo on the cake. They had a lime logo so I suggested a lime flavoured cake with peppermint icing," said Karen.

She supplies a deli near her home and the Up Cafe in Nottingham's Lace Market with both cakes and her range of breakfast and lunchtime muffins.

"There's lime, ginger and pistachio nuts, courgette, parmesan and pine nuts and carrot and cumin," she said.

Karen's prices start at £15 for a box of 12 cupcakes.

The full range can be found on her website www.classy-cupcakes.co.uk where she is also charting her progress in a weekly blog called Living the Cupcake Dream.

"I don't regret it at all. I think people will continue to want cupcakes," she said.