Heavenly & Handwritten: Hostess~Inspired Valentine's Day Cupcakes . . .

Looks like you are getting two times the cupcakes this week, because I just love these retro-inspired Valentine's Day treats, from Martha Stewart! These little lovelies just bring back the memories, don't they?  Such a throwback to the carefree days of youth when your biggest worry was if you would get enough Valentine's in your little box at school that day:)  Here's how you make them . . .


'HOSTESS'~INSPIRED VALENTINE'S DAY CUPCAKES


Ingredients (cupcakes):
~ 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
~ 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
~ 1 1/2 cups sugar
~ 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
~ 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
~ 3/4 teaspoon salt
~ 2 large eggs
~ 3/4 cup warm water
~ 3/4 cup buttermilk
~ 3 tablespoons safflower oil
~ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:


1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners; set aside. Sift together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, and mix until smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed.

2.)Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.

Chocolate Glaze Ingredients:

~ 2/3 cup heavy cream
~ 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
~ 1 tablespoon corn syrup


Directions

~ Heat cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Place chocolate and corn syrup in a small bowl. Pour hot cream over chocolate mixture, and stir until smooth. Use immediately.

Decorating Directions:


~ Dip tops of each cupcake in chocolate glaze, letting excess drip off. Let stand until set, about 30 minutes. Fit a pastry bag with the smallest plain round tip. Fill bag with melted white chocolate, and use to write on cupcakes. Decorated cupcakes will keep, covered, for up to 2 days.

These sweet treats rival just about any store-bought snack, don't you think?  Stay tuned tomorrow for a fun little DIY project that is sure to keep you nice and toasty for the SIX more weeks of winter you have ahead . . . darn Groundhogs!!

An Oh-So-Cute Cupid's Arrow Cupcake . . .

I am starting to get really revved up for Valentine's day and am really excited to bring you all sorts of little DIY projects that are simple and sure to be a hit for anyone that you love in your life.   Nothing says 'I'm Yours!' like sweets for your sweeties and I have just the right treat, brought to us by the Creature Comforts Blog and sure to bring a smile to all of your favorite faces.

These adorable 'Cupid's Arrow Cupcakes' just make me smile; simple & fun . . . and easy to make too!  Just download the FREE template for the toppers and wraps (along with printable instructions) here: Cupcake Toppers & Wraps and then you can get started:

CUPID'S ARROW CUPCAKES:


Supplies You Will Need:
~ Color Printer
~ Card stock & standard copy paper
~ Scissors
~ Double-sided tape
~ Lollipop sticks
~ Cupcakes (regular size)
~ Pen


Cupcake Wrap Directions:
1.) Print up the free PDF download onto the card stock on your color printer.  Print as many as you need!

2.) Cut out each wrap or use one wrap as a template for use with your own patterned card stock as well as the small hearts (blank if you choose to write on them, or the printed ones if you prefer!)

3.) Gently arch each wrap around the cupcakes and secure with a dab of glue or double-sided tape  where it is noted on the printable.

4.) Insert your cupcakes into the wraps (they should have the liners from the store or from the oven still attached!)

5.) Secure hearts to the front of your cupcake wraps using double-sided tape or a dollop of glue.

6.) Finish with a Cupid's Arrow cupcake topper! (see below)

Arrow Topper Directions:

1.)   Cut out the arrow template from the free printable PDF file.  Place the arrow top template on standard white printer paper and cut out two per cupcake topper. 

2.) Adhere a piece of double-sided tape  or glue (cover as much of the paper as you can) to each inside of the arrow topper and place your candy stick onto the center of one side.  

3.) Place the second piece of arrow topper paper on top and use your fingers to pinch both sides together-adhering them to the stick.

4.) Write a name onto the arrow cupcake topper, if you prefer.  Using a pair of scissors, snip cuts at an angle all the way up both sides until it resembles a feather.  Poke the candy sticks into your cupcakes and you are all set!!

And if you really feel like going the extra mile, you can make these gorgeous treat bags to put your cupcakes in too . . .

TREAT BAG TOPPERS

Supplies You Will Need:

~ Baker's twine or yarn

~ Treat Bags

~ Card Stock & regular printer paper

~ double-sided tape

~ hole punch

~ arrow lollipop sticks (see above)

~ treats for inside!

Directions:

1.) After creating the feathered portion of each topper, attach chosen hearts (found on the free printable) to the bottom of the lollipop stick using double-sided tape (you will use two, one on either side of the stick). 

2.) Choose from either blank or pre-written text versions (the blank ones work perfectly for writing guest's names).

3.) Fold the top of your treat bag down and punch holes as shown above using a hole punch. I used a 1/8" punch for a smaller hole.

4.) Thread twine or yarn through the holes (if you want a bow in the back, thread through as shown - if you prefer it in the front, thread from the opposite side). Next, insert twine ends (one at a time) through the opposite holes than you initially threaded them through.

5.) Place one Cupid's Arrow inside the loose loop. Pull twine taught and tie a bow to secure.

Aren't those just the cutest little things ever?  Now if only you could decide which cupcake flavor you were in the mood for!  Decisions, decisions . . .