For my birthday in May, my friends Jason and Erin surprised me with a box of Sprinkles Cupcake Mix from Williams-Sonoma. One word: delicious. It doesn't hurt that the cupcakes are also incredibly adorable. The mix comes with everything you need (except butter and chocolate for the icing), including their signature sugar dot.
Be sure to follow the cooking time directions and watch them so the cupcakes don't over bake. And talk about easy during the work week - gourmet cupcakes from a box are completely doable after five. No recipe this time - you'll find it in the box!