Can’t Miss Valentine’s Cupcakes

What better way to show love and affection on Valentine’s Day than by sharing a delicious gift made from the heart? It’s a sweet way to say “I love you.”

Try this decadent and colorful cupcake recipe as well as some tips for applying icing like a pro.

Sweetheart Surprise Cupcakes

Makes about 24 cupcakes

Ingredients:Gingham Baking Cups

2 packages (16.5-18.25 oz. ea.) white cake mix

Eggs, oil and water to prepare mixes

Red-Red and Rose Icing Colors

1 can (16 oz.) White Ready-To-Use Decorator Icing

Micro Hearts, Fill Your Heart Mix, Chocolate Hearts Mix or Valentine Nonpareils Sprinkles or Red or Pink Sugars

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place baking cups into standard muffin pan from the Two-Tone Cupcake Pan kit.

Prepare white cake mix following package instructions. Remove about 1-1/2 cups batter from bowl; divide into 2 smaller bowls. Tint one smaller bowl of batter red, the other rose.

Place cupcake insert into first row of baking cups; fill center 2/3 full with red or rose batter. Fill remaining cup 2/3 full with white batter. Remove insert; wash and dry. Repeat with remaining baking cups .

Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until cake tester or toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pan on cooling grid 5 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter.

Tint portions of icing red and rose; reserve some white. Pipe tip 1M or tip 12 icing swirl onto cooled cupcakes. Add sprinkles or sugars.

Swirl Like a Pro

To prepare, start with cupcakes that have been baked according to package directions, in the baking cup of your choice, and fully cooled. Place a coupler and a large round tip (like a 12 or 2A) on your Wilton decorating bag; fill with the icing of your choice.

1. Hold the decorating tip approximately 1/4 inch above the cupcake at a 90 degree angle to the cupcake. Starting at the center, pipe a large dot of icing onto cupcake top.

2. Pull the dot of icing to the outer edge of cupcake and begin piping a spiral of icing around the cupcake top, working inward and upward.

3. Once at the center, stop pressure and pull tip away. It’s as easy as that.

For more Valentine’s Day recipes, baking tips and gift inspiration, visit www.wilton.com