Valentine's Day is just around the corner! :) Why don't you make your sweetie (okay or your friends) some cupcakes that they'll fall in love with?? ;)


Valentine's Day Cupcakes

• 2 cups sugar


• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour


• 3/4 cup cocoa


• 1 1/2 teas. baking soda


• 1 1/2 teas. baking powder


• 1 teas. salt


• 2 eggs


• 1 cup milk


• 1/2 cup vegetable oil


• 2 teas. vanilla extract


• 1 cup boiling water


• vanilla frosting


• a few drops of red food coloring


• decorative candies and sprinkles


• dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

1. Heat oven to 350. Line about 30 muffin cups with foil or paper baking cups (why not go all out- buy the cheesy Valentine's day ones!)


2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Next, add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla; beat with mixer at medium speed for two minutes. Stir in boiling water (don't worry the batter is supposed to be thin). Fill baking cups 2/3 full with batter.


3. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes or until wooden toothpick can be inserted and removed clean. Let cupcakes cool completely.


4. Frost with vanilla icing after adding a few drops of red food coloring to make pink. Add the desired decorative candies and sprinkles.


5. (optional) To make open chocolate hearts, place one cup of your choice of chocolate chips into a microwavable bowl. Microwave on medium for one minute and then stir. If needed microwave at fifteen seconds at a time until the chocolate chips are melted and smooth. Place chocolate into a plastic bag with a small corner snipped off. Squeeze hearts shapes onto a piece of wax paper and allow to harden thirty minutes before placing on cupcake.

Happy (early) Valentine's Day!

by Lauryn Ragland