With specialty cupcake stores sprouting all over America, the price of this bite-size treat has certainly escalated over the last few years. However, none even come close to this beauty, which at $1,010 USD can safely claim the title of the 'World's Most Expensive Edible Cupcake'.

But as you have probably guessed by now this is not just any ordinary cupcake, but one crafted from the world's finest ingredients that include among other things, 23-carat edible gold! Called The Golden Phoenix, it is the careful handiwork of the creative culinary team at Bloomsburys, a boutique cafe that offers Gulf residents a taste of high-end British dining.

Ms. Shafeena Yusuf Ali, the founder and CEO of Bloomsburys who came up with the idea about a month ago as a way to celebrate the opening of the restaurant's Dubai location, said that previous attempts at the same feat had been encrusted with diamonds and therefore were not edible. She wanted her confectionery to be something that the purchaser could savor.

The team began by seeking out the finest ingredients - Doves organic flour and Rachel's finest butter, both from the United Kingdom made the cut, as did Italy's premium Amedei Porcelena cocoa and Uganda's fragrant vanilla beans. Last but not least, were the sheets of the best quality gold that they could possibly use - Since the purest form of gold (24 carat) is too soft to work with, they had to settle for 23 carat, which is pure gold mixed in with a tiny bit of silver - Both edible and completely safe to eat. Then began the arduous chore of perfecting the recipe and decoration, a task that took a few weeks.

Of course, the world's most expensive cupcake, which is accompanied by two gold dipped strawberries and a spoonful of chocolate (on a pure gold spoon) cannot just be served on any platter. To showcase her masterpiece, Ms. Ali placed it on a 24-carat gold plated Empire Morning Cake Stand and then wheeled it in on an equally fancy Villari 24-carat gold plated Marie Antoinette Princess Tea Trolley. The total value of this entire presentation? A whopping $27,000 USD!

So how does one eat this outrageously expensive treat? Apparently quite rapidly, since if not devoured within 15 minutes, the chocolate starts to melt, which in turn, causes the gold flakes to peel - A combination that purportedly does not bode well for the taste of the cupcake. While there is no word whether this decadent cupcake was purchased by anybody, it can be specially ordered from the cafe. In case you are contemplating it, they do require a 48-hour advance notice to make it, so plan it well!

Resources: arabiangazette.com, vaultmagazine.com,dailymail.co,UK