Simple Valentine’s Day Cupcakes
These simple Valentine’s Day cupcakes are light, fluffy, and topped with a creamy buttercream frosting, making them a perfect treat for the holiday. Easy to make, customizable, and delicious, they’re ideal for sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
- 1 & 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅛ teaspoon flaky sea salt for serving
- 3 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 & ½ cups white sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
- 3 cups icing sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pink food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin pan with paper or foil liners.
- In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt. Set aside for later.
- In a larger bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This mixture will form the base of your cupcakes.
- Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, alternating between the two, and mix until smooth.
- Scoop the batter into the lined muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, place the icing sugar and softened butter into the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Start on low speed until combined, then increase to medium speed and beat for about three minutes.
- Add the vanilla extract, a few drops of pink food coloring, and heavy cream, then continue beating for another minute. Adjust the amount of cream as needed to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.