Hugs and Kisses Cupcakes

For Valentine's Day, we decided to keep it simple and just make cupcakes. It was a fun family affair - everybody pitched in and helped. It made baking so much fun! No fancy ingredients too - it was very semi-homemade. :-) 


What you need: 

1 box devil's food cake mix (I used Betty Crocker)
water, vegetable oil, and eggs called for on cake mix box
1 can (1 lb) fluffy white frosting
1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
2 teaspoons canola oil
red food color


What to do: 

Heat oven to 350°F.

Place a baking cup in each of 24 regular-sized muffin cups. Make cake batter as directed on mix box. Divide batter evenly and spoon into muffin cups (about 2/3 full). Bake 20 to 23 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then move to a cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Spoon about half of the whipped frosting to a bowl and add a few drops of red food color. Mix well. Add more food color until you get the shade that you like. Using a butter knife, spread frosting of your choice on top of the cupcakes in a round swirling motion. 

In a small microwaveable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and canola oil on full power for 1 minute, stirring once halfway through heating. Let cool for about a minute. Spoon melted chocolate in a resealable plastic bag and cut the tip to use as a piping bag. Decorate with X's and O's for "Hugs and Kisses." 

Tips, Tricks, and Tweaks: 

1. Make sure to let the cupcakes cool before putting frosting. Otherwise, the frosting would melt from the hot surface of the cupcake.
2. Use whatever frosting you have - it doesn't have to be white. Same is true with the food color. You can omit it entirely, if desired.
3. Be creative - decorate your cupcakes whichever way you want!
4. Sprinkle with candy heart decors for a more "Valentine" touch.