Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Valentine Cupcakes

I love Valentine's Day. I know it's been dubbed "The Hallmark Holiday" and I understand the cynicism (bitterness) toward throwing away money on a stupid day created to give card and floral companies money and that we should show our love for others every day. Give me a break though... I do show my love for others every day but I also LOVE giving fun little Valentine's to those I love and making bright, girlie treats for such a day and I love decorating our little home with hearts and pinks and reds... it's fun. I think people miss the point... it's supposed to be "fun." In the spirit of fun and love and showering your loved ones with sweet surprises and flowers and romance and adoration... make some cupcakes and enjoy this mushy-gushy day of loooooove.

Cocoa Cuppies with Nutella and Buttercream

1 1/2 C Cake Flour
3/4 C Sugar
1/2 C Organic Cocoa Powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/4 C Vegetable Oil
1 T vinegar
1 t vanilla
1 1/4 C Water
12 T Nutella

In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients and set aside. In a stand mixer, combine the oil, vinegar, vanilla and water and mix until well combined. Add the dry ingredients then pour into 12 prepared muffin cups. Place 1 tablespoon of Nutella in the center of each raw cupcake and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 12 minutes. Cool 10 minutes in the pan and then completely on a wire rack. Frost with the following:

Buttercream

1/2 C Unsalted Butter
1 t vanilla
3 C Powdered Sugar
Pink Food Coloring (j
ust a dab)

Cream all ingredients well then pipe onto your little cupcakes and decorate as desired.

The Nutella makes the cupcakes gooey and delicious. The recipe is great because the cupcakes are both butter and egg-less... and how great are the cute little birdie picks??!! I love them!




5 comments:

  1. These are adorable! And I agree - Valentine's Day is supposed to be fun and playful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the bird card. The buttercream is the perfect shade of pink

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh I love Valentine's Day even though I think it is a silly commercial holiday and my husband always does wonderful things for me, a day full of surprises no matter how much he absolutely loathes the fake holiday only because he knows I love it! Now isn't that what Valentine's Day is all about? These cupcakes are the perfect V Day treat!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, you're a girl after my own heart! I love Valentine's day too... Not for the buying things part, but it gives me justification for all of the pink and hearts I adore year round... In fact, this year I've decided to make everything we eat for my homemade dinner heart shaped!

    ReplyDelete
  5. These are so cute! I love the little birds!

    ReplyDelete