Valentine Cupcakes

This Valentine’s Day if you’re looking for a sweet way to show your love and devotion to that special someone, then check out our easy-to-make cupcake recipes and decorating ideas.

Start with the basics

Start with the basics

1. Sweet & Simple Vanilla Cupcakes

Making cupcakes does not have to be a chore done in frustration, after all, they are just cake, not rocket science. Forget about all those fancy and elaborate Valentine cupcake recipes, when you can keep it sweet and simple. For your basic vanilla cupcake check out the following easy-to-use recipe.

What you need

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• ½ cup softened butter
• ¾ of white sugar (or more if you want them super sweet)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Directions

1. First, preheat your oven to 375 F (170 C). Now line your cupcake pan with liners. Set aside.
2. Cream together the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy. Beat in one egg at a time.
3. Mix your flour, salt and baking powder together, then slowly add to the wet ingredients along with small amounts of the milk. Beat well.
4. Stir in vanilla.
5. Divide the batter evenly among the cups in the pan. Tip; a large ice cream scoop works well.
   Bake for 18 minutes, then cool over baking rack.

2. Yummy Chocolate Cupcakes

Valentine’s Day is the time for chocolate treats for your sweet. Surprise your special someone this February 14th with delicious homemade chocolate cupcakes. This easy-to-use recipe will make you look like a prize winning baker.

What you need

• 10 tablespoons of butter
• 1 1/4 cups of white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 3/4 cup of milk

Directions

1. First, preheat oven to 350 F (175 C). Grease two muffin pans or line with 20 paper baking cups.
2. Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs one at a time and vanilla.
3. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Slowly add to the wet ingredients along with small amounts of the milk, until just blended. Do not overmix!
4. Spoon batter into cupcake pan or liners, dividing evenly.
5. Bake in oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack.

3. Red-Velvet Valentine Cupcake Delights

Nothing says Happy Valentine’s Day more than the deep richness of a red-velvet cupcake. But don’t worry, they are a lot easier to make than they may sound. Check out our basic red-velvet cupcake recipe.

What you need

• 1/2 cup of butter
• 1 1/2 cups of white sugar
• 2 fresh eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 fluid ounce of red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Before you begin preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Grease two 12 cup muffin pans or line them with 20 paper baking cups.
3. Use a large bowl. Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
4. Mix in the eggs, buttermilk, red food coloring and vanilla.
5. Stir in the baking soda and vinegar.
6. Combine the flour, cocoa powder and salt, then stir into the batter until just blended.
7. Spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly.
8. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until the tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack.

Make them Standout ~ Cupcake Decorating Ideas

Now that you have your delicious sweets for your Valentine, it’s time to decorate them – this is the fun part! There is no right or wrong way to decorate your cupcake. It can be as simple as vanilla frosting and some sprinkles or you can go all out. Check out a few of our cupcake decorating ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Quick and easy decorating ideas

Quick and easy decorating ideas

The Heart of it All

Since it’s Valentine’s Day, you will want to incorporate this theme which can be as simple as adding red food coloring to the frosting to give it a pink hue. To add a little more flair, use pre-made fondant hearts or chocolate heart-shaped candy. These can be placed in the middle or arranged around the cupcake, depending on the size. Another easy and cute way to say I love you, are with cupcake “flags.” These are theme-inspired decorations that come on a short wooden stick and can be found in the cake decorating aisle of large retailers – simply delightful!

Fill-er-Up!

A wonderful and delicious way to decorate your cupcake is to fill it with a fluffy center. Take your special cupcake and pop the top off. With a pre-made (or homemade) whipped cream you can add a dollop on the inside then replace the top. This is a nice treat and oh so yummy. This can also be done with frosting, ice cream or a small amount of pudding. For an extra-special surprise inside of your Valentine cupcake, check out the step-by-step tutorial on how to get a heart shape, right in the very center of the cupcake itself – so cool!

Truly Decadent

Truly Decadent

Go All Out!

Not all cupcakes have to have frosting on them. For a decadent surprise for your special someone, try some caramel sauce on a chocolate or vanilla cupcake. This ooey gooey treat will make your cupcake sing with delight (as well as your Valentine). Pop on a fresh cherry and a candy lollipop and you have a special dessert that is sure to please.

Giving your true love a special Valentine cupcake this February 14th is a sweet way to show your devotion. Try one of simple Valentine cupcake recipes and decorating ideas, or go out on your own. Whatever you come up with is sure to delight!

Valentine’s Day Gift? Name a Star!