Valentine’s Day is only 5 days away and what a better way to show your sweetheart how much you love them than by making these cute cut out heart cupcakes.
I was inspired by the blog A Cozy Kitchen, which is one of my favorite blogs! Adrianna, not only makes the most delicious meals but also, photographs and presents them beautifully!
When I saw this cut-out heart cupcake, I knew I had to give it a try. I used her method and red velvet cupcake recipe for the cupcake.
I adapted it with my favorite vanilla cupcake recipe that is the ultimate go-to cupcake recipe! This vanilla batter creates a fluffy cupcake, that is an excellent pairing with the red velvet heart and of course, my favorite frosting of all time, cream cheese frosting.
The surprise heart will leave your loved ones speechless!
Ingredients
Inside Heart
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup buttermilk shaken
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
8 drops food coloring, less if using gel
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Vanilla Cupcake
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups milk
Cream Cheese Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons heavy cream
Recipe
Inside Heart
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and line the bottom of a sheet baking tray with parchment paper.
In a medium bow, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
In an electric stand-up mixer, with the paddle attachment, add the butter and sugar, beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Pour in the buttermilk, red food coloring and vanilla.
Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until just combined.
Pour the batter into the baking tray and spread the cake batter into an even layer. Transfer to the oven to bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.
Allow to cool completely. Stamp out hearts using a 1 1/2-inch heart cookie cutter.
Vanilla Cupcake
Preheat to 375 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, whisk the baking powder, salt and flour. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time. Beat in vanilla. Turing the mixer on low, beat in the dry ingredients. Add the milk, and beat again until the mixer is just combined.
Fill each cupcake tin with two tablespoons of batter, about halfway. Carefully, snuggle cut out hearts in the center of each cupcake batter, make sure to face them all the same way.
Transfer to the oven to bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the white cake comes out clean. Cool in the pans on the wire rack.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Using an electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese until combined. Carefully, add the powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and heavy cream. Beat again until all combined.
Before frosting, it's important to give yourself an indicator to know which way to cut the cupcake. I lined them all in the same direction before frosting and then used a my sprinkle on top of the frosting to remind me which way to cut.
Enjoy the surprise !
Adapted from A Cozy Kitchen