The title of this post has a bit of a double meaning… this post is about these sweet, heart cupcakes, but it’s also about A sweetheart! I first saw this creative cupcake idea on Just Jenn Recipes several years ago. I made them a couple times pre-blog and I had this idea on my “future post ideas” list for this year. Then, last week Kristan of Confession of a Cookbook Queen posted an utterly delicious looking cherry frosting and I knew it would be the perfect filling for these sweet treats. Kristan also recently mentioned that she has become a “Valentine’s person”… it may have something to do with wanting gifts of candy and flowers, but we wont mention that to her hubby. So, when I knew Kristan’s birthday was on it’s way (it’s today!), I thought these would be the perfect cupcakes to send her (virtual) birthday wishes!
Although I’ve been reading Confessions of a Cookbook Queen for quite some time, I was first able to meet Kristan last spring at the Wilton Blogger’s Workshop. Then, this past fall on my drive to Cookie Camp, we made a stop off in Kristan’s hometown for a visit. Kristan is just as sweet, funny and beautiful as her blog and I feel lucky to count her a friend! Happy Birthday Kristan!
Now let’s have a cupcake!
These fun Sweet Heart Cupcakes are quite easy to create!
First, bake a batch of chocolate cupcakes. I used my favorite chocolate cupcake recipe, but feel free to use any recipe or box mix you prefer. The only special instructions would be to make sure to fill the liners just a bit more than you might normally (about 1/2 inch below the top of the liner), because you need to have a bit of a dome above the top edge of the liners.
While the cupcakes are baking, prepare of batch of delicious Cherry Frosting. You can use the recipe below, or you could use my simple American Buttercream, or Cream Cheese frosting, and simply tint it pink with some food coloring. Canned (pre-made) frosting would work fine for these as well.
Maraschino Cherry Frosting
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
4 cups powdered sugar
4 Tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
1/2 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries
pinch of salt
Directions~
1. In the bowl of an electric mixer beat butter until smooth.
2. With the mixer running, Add 2 cups of powdered sugar, one cup at a time.
3. Add 4 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice, one tablespoon at a time.
4. Continue beating, and add the remaining 2 cups powdered sugar, and chopped maraschino cherries. If desired, add a drop of pink food coloring (I used Americolor electric pink).
5. Beat until fully combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Recipe source- Confessions of a Cookbook Queen
How to Make Sweet Heart Cupcakes
Sweet Heart Cupcakes
Ingredients
Chocolate Cupcakes
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa best quality available
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract best quality available
- 1 cup boiling water
Maraschino Cherry Frosting
- 1 cup butter 2 sticks
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries finely chopped
- pinch salt
Instructions
Chocolate Cupcakes
- Line muffin tin with paper liners. Heat oven to 350*F.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for one minute.
- Stir in boiling water (the batter will be thin, don’t worry, this is right).
- Fill liners 2/3 full with batter. (I usually put the batter into a large measuring cup with a pour spout, and then pour the batter into the liners.)
- Bake cupcakes for approximately 18-22 minutes.
- Cool completely on wire rack before frosting.
Maraschino Cherry Frosting
- In the bowl of an electric mixer beat butter until smooth.
- With the mixer running, Add 2 cups of powdered sugar, one cup at a time.
- Add 4 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice, one tablespoon at a time.
- Continue beating, and add the remaining 2 cups powdered sugar, and chopped maraschino cherries. If desired, add a drop of pink food coloring (I used Americolor electric pink).
- Beat until fully combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
Nutrition
Heart Cutout Cupcake Assembly
(idea source, with permission- Just Jenn Recipes)
1. Use a serrated knife to cut off the top of the cupcake, using the top of the cupcake liner as a guide.
2. Use a small heart cookie cutter to cut out a heart shape from the cupcake dome.
3. Spread frosting onto the cupcake base, in a mounded shape.
4. If desired, sprinkle the cupcake dome with powdered sugar. Place top back on cupcake and press down a bit.
Share these sweet treats with someone you love!
Several other bakers have created special birthday treats for Kristan, be sure to check them out!
These are beautiful. I can't wait to try them for my daughter's bday party. I'd love to serve them with the milk too. Can you tell me where you found the milk bottles? Thanks!
@Candi- Two things you could try… put the cupcake tops in the freezer for a bit. The cake will firm up and maybe be easier to cut. Also, try cutting from the underside of the top… in other words, take the cupcake top, and place it top side down on the cutting board. Try cutting it that way. Best of luck!
I'm making these now for my boys classrooms. I am having an issue with the cupcake top breaking when I try to use the cookie cutter on it! Any Suggesttions???
I just made the Cherry frosting and it is delicious. My 3 little boys love it too. It tastes even better when paired with the chocolate cupcake. Great decorating idea! This recipe is a keeper.
What a sweetheart of an idea! Perfect for Valentine's Day or a tea party.
Both my husband and I are diabetics so I think I'll use the Marachino cherries with low-fat cream cheese instead of all that sugar and butter!
These were so cute!! And hey look easy now that you've explained the process! Thanks for posting!
what a lovely design!
Another gorgeous cupcake! My goodness you are so inspirational. I had to pin it on the CraftBliss Valentine Freebie Bliss Board on Pinterest and link back to you. ~Dee
red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting also look nice