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✔️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
✔️ Cook Time: 18 minutes
✔️ Total Time: 33 minutes
✔️ Servings: 12 cupcakes
✔️ Category: Dessert
✔️ Cuisine: American
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with these adorable heart-shaped cupcakes! Moist, fluffy, and topped with delicious frosting, they’re the perfect treat for your loved ones. 💕
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Red or pink food coloring
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Pink or red food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles & heart decorations (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat & Prepare
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Make Heart Shapes (No Special Pan Needed!)
- Place a small marble or a rolled-up piece of aluminum foil between the cupcake liner and the tin to create an indent, forming a heart shape.
3. Make the Cupcake Batter
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract and a few drops of red or pink food coloring.
- Alternately mix in the flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour.
4. Bake to Perfection
- Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 full with batter.
- Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
5. Make the Frosting & Decorate
- Beat butter until creamy.
- Gradually mix in powdered sugar, adding heavy cream to reach desired consistency.
- Add vanilla, salt, and optional food coloring. Beat until fluffy.
- Pipe onto cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles & heart toppings.
Nutrition Facts (Per Cupcake)
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 45g
- Protein: 3g
Tools Needed for This Recipe 🧁
✔ Muffin tin – Standard size, 12-cup capacity
✔ Cupcake liners – Paper or silicone
✔ Hand mixer or stand mixer – For smooth batter & frosting
✔ Piping bag & tips – To create beautiful swirls
✔ Toothpicks – For testing doneness
✔ Cooling rack – Helps cupcakes cool evenly
Here’s a chocolate version and an alternative cream cheese frosting for your Heart-Shaped Valentine’s Day Cupcakes!
🍫 Chocolate Heart Cupcakes Variation
If you prefer rich, chocolate cupcakes, simply swap some ingredients:
Chocolate Cupcake Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup hot coffee (enhances the chocolate flavor!)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions for Chocolate Cupcakes:
- Follow the same steps as the vanilla cupcakes, but add hot coffee last and mix until smooth.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 16-18 minutes.
🧁 Cream Cheese Frosting Alternative
This rich, tangy frosting pairs perfectly with chocolate OR vanilla cupcakes!
Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Gradually mix in powdered sugar until fluffy.
- Add vanilla & salt, then beat again.
- Frost cupcakes and decorate with Valentine sprinkles!
Here’s a Strawberry Heart Cupcake version, plus a stuffed cupcake idea for an extra sweet surprise! 🍓💖
🍓 Strawberry Heart Cupcakes
For a fruity twist, use fresh strawberries in the batter and frosting!
Strawberry Cupcake Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup fresh strawberries, finely chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a heart-shaped cupcake pan or use foil balls to shape regular liners into hearts.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk.
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Fold in strawberries.
- Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 18-20 minutes.
🍓 Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
This light and fruity frosting complements the strawberry cupcakes!
Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup fresh strawberries, pureed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Mix in powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and vanilla.
- Frost cooled cupcakes and decorate with strawberry slices or sprinkles!
💖 Stuffed Cupcake Surprise!
For a fun Valentine’s twist, fill cupcakes with strawberry jam or chocolate ganache!
How to Stuff Cupcakes:
- Once cooled, use a small knife or cupcake corer to cut a hole in the center.
- Fill with strawberry jam, chocolate ganache, or Nutella.
- Replace the top and frost as usual.
Here’s a gluten-free version plus more filling ideas for variety! 😊
💖 Gluten-Free Strawberry Heart Cupcakes
These cupcakes are just as fluffy and flavorful as the classic version!
Gluten-Free Cupcake Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (with xanthan gum)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk (or dairy-free alternative)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup fresh strawberries, finely chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a heart-shaped cupcake pan or shape liners into hearts using foil.
- Whisk together gluten-free flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk.
- Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Fold in strawberries.
- Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 18-20 minutes.
🍓 Gluten-Free Frosting Ideas
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting (Recipe in previous post)
- Dairy-Free Option: Use vegan butter & dairy-free cream cheese
- Chocolate Ganache Topping: Melt ½ cup dark chocolate chips + ¼ cup coconut milk, drizzle over cupcakes
💖 Alternative Fillings for Stuffed Cupcakes
Instead of strawberry jam, try:
- Raspberry or cherry preserves
- Lemon curd for a tangy twist
- Vanilla or chocolate mousse
- White chocolate ganache
- Peanut butter or almond butter
Try more Cupcake Recipes:
✅ Easy Heart-Shaped Cupcakes
✅ Valentine’s Day Dessert Recipe
✅ How to Make Heart Cupcakes Without a Special Pan
✅ Best Valentine Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting
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