Celebrity blogger known for Pink Meo, Maxine Trowbridge (right) discusses edible materials used in her cupcake runway display with an audience member competing on behalf of Fashion Group International in Saturday afternoon’s Cupcake Wars charity event at the North Park Mall. (Sidney Hollingsworth/The Daily Campus)

In the spirit of Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars,” Sprinkles Cupcakes hosted the first ever Big D’s “Big News” Cupcake Wars for Charity on Saturday in NorthPark Center.

The contest pitted six participants from Dallas’ news organizations, each representative of a North Texas charity of choice, against one another to frost, decorate and display their cupcakes for a $5,000 prize.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry, but I’m going to squash you like a bug!” Amy Vanderoef of WFAA-TV said to her fellow contestants, earning several laughs in the spirit of the competition.

With a countdown from the audience, the competitors set off to tackle their 100 Sprinkles’ cupcakes.

A growing crowd of approximately 250 people gathered around the competitors in the mall and their displays, listening to the music, and excitedly watching the cupcakes turn into masterpieces.

The Cupcake Wars had begun, but this time for charity.

After a short session of Texas Trivia with the emcees Gene and Julie, co-hosts of The New 103.7 Lite FM/KVIL, the competitors were given 30 minutes to prepare the cupcakes in the theme of their charity.

This year’s charities included Hunger Busters, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, Hold the Door, Make-A-Wish Foundation®, Fashion Group International, and LIVESTRONG.

“Charity is a big part of Sprinkles Cupcakes,” Charles Nelson, co-founder and co-owner of Sprinkles Cupcakes said, “We’re excited to send someone home with $5,000, but no one will leave empty handed.” Sprinkles Cupcakes gave $1,000 to the charities not selected as the winner of the competition.

The judges, including Sprinkles’ own Candace Nelson, inspected the displays, ranging from a Girl Scout themed Texas State Fair to a runway from Fashion Group International. They selected the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas as the winner of the $5,000 donation.

Media personalities participating included Roni Proter with CW33, Clarice Tinsley with KDFW-TV, Amy Vanderoef with WFAA-TV, Brittany Cobb with Daily Candy and Maxine Trowbridge founder of PinkMemo.