Valentine Cupcakes

These Valentine Cupcakes are the perfect sweet treat to celebrate love. Moist and chocolatey with a creamy buttercream frosting, theyre sure to make your Valentines Day special.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• Red food coloring
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Red sprinkles or heart-shaped decorations

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350F 175C and line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt

Set aside

In another bowl, cream together 1/2 cup softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition

Stir in the vanilla extract

Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients

Mix until just combined

In a small bowl, mix a few drops of red food coloring with cocoa powder to form a paste

Add this paste to the cupcake batter and mix until fully incorporated

Stir in the boiling water until the batter is smooth

The batter will be thin - dont worry, its normal

Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full with the batter

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean

Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely

In a separate bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened butter until creamy

Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, and beat until smooth and fluffy

Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, frost them with the buttercream icing and decorate with red sprinkles or heart-shaped decorations

Serve and enjoy your delicious Valentines Day cupcakes