Valentine's Day Cupcakes

Need an easy, sweet treat idea for your V-Day party? Look no further. 

When I decided to make cupcakes for Valentine's Day I had only one demand; hearts of course. I knew I wanted to incorporate hearts somehow but I didn't want to settle for heart shaped sprinkles and I had to keep my budget in mind. While on Instagram the other day I noticed a picture by one of my favorite blogs, The Disney Sisters. They had just thrown a Queen of Hearts DisneySide party and that post inspired these little heart topped, pink frosting filled beauties.

One of my absolute favorite songs in Alice in Wonderland is, "We're Painting the Roses Red" so my first thought was to pipe white roses on top of the cupcakes and sprinkle them with red sugar but then I remembered I needed HEARTS! So I went with the white hearts dipped in the red sugar.

Here's how I made them:

1. I used Pillsbury vanilla cake mix because that is my personal favorite but any cake flavor/brand will work. I always fill my cupcakes liners up about 2/3 of the way no matter what the box says, the recipe will yield 18 cupcakes instead of 24 but I prefer to have to larger individual portions.

2. While the cupcakes are baking prepare your frosting, I used a medium consistency Wilton Decorating Frosting. I colored about 3/4 c of the frosting with red gel food coloring until it was the pink I wanted.

3. Once cupcakes are cool, take your largest piping tip or a sharp knife and cut a hole in the center of the cupcake. You only want to go about 2/3 of the way through. You may have to dig out a little cake to get the hole even.

4. Fill the cupcakes with the pink frosting. I used a large tip on my piping bag, doesn't have to be specific type.

5. Using the largest round tip you have, pipe hearts over the hole using the white frosting. I found that piping the hearts in one motion was easiest and had the best outcome. Remember to flatten any tails and dip in the homemade red sugar.

Easy, pretty and delicious! The red sugar against the white frosting almost looks like red paint splatters - love it.

How are you celebrating Valentine's Day? Share your sweet treats with us!