When the Vanilla Pastry Studio in the West End won the Post-Gazette's "Best Cupcake in Pittsburgh" award, after a blind taste test of 13 local cupcake makers in March 2007, life became even sweeter for owner April Gruver, aka the "Sugar Fairy."

"Before the contest, cupcakes were just one of the sidelines we offered, like brownies and cookies," she said. " But after that story ran, I couldn't make cupcakes fast enough. I was even icing them hot."

A bigger baking area was needed. She found one in East Liberty, where she has moved and, starting this week, is serving her famed cupcakes and an array of other equally delicious goodies in a spacious new bakery at 6014 Centre Ave. on Penn Circle South.

Look for the outdoor sandwich sign with a colorful cupcake on top.

Ms. Gruver's signature confection is the Lolly, a round, chocolate-covered, frozen treat on a 5-inch stick with creamy fillings, such as key lime pie, salted caramel, lemon ginger cheesecake, passion fruit and assorted liquors. Priced at $1.25 apiece, and perfect for cocktail parties or a sweet bite after dinner, they are a big hit, and Ms. Gruver wisely has applied for a patent.

The shop's charming, airy decor has seating for nine -- enjoy your bite of heaven with a cup of fresh Coffeetree Roasters coffee -- and features an area where customers can peek through French doors into the baking room to watch the pastry chefs (five in addition to Ms. Gruver) do their wonders.

"We're going to have to be extra neat now," she quipped.

All baked goods are made fresh daily. What is left at the end of the day goes home with employees (to the delight of their families, I'm sure).

Ms. Gruver also designs custom-made cakes and desserts for any occasion, by special order.

California-born, the Lolly inventer, age 33, has baked around the country in notable places such as Rover's in Seattle, the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago and the Duquesne Club in Pittsburgh.

She's also taught pastry arts at the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute.

She's not the only chef in the family. Husband John works in culinary development at Giant Eagle Market District stores.

The couple live in Edgewood with their two children, Allyson and Andrue, and a Bernese mountain dog named Truman (a very big and important member of the family).

Vanilla Pastry Studio is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tues.-Fri., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun. (www.vanillapastry.com and 412-361-2306).