Guide Note

Valentine's day cupcakes are decorated to express affection, with accessories such as candy hearts, cupids, hugs and kisses.

Fast Facts

1. October 18th is national chocolate cupcake day
2. Valentine's Day is February 14th
3. Made with butter, sugar, eggs and flour
4. A variety of icings can be used
5. Baked in individual paper liners
6. Cupcakes can be made from a packaged cake mix or made from scratch
7. Icing can also be packaged or made from scratch

• Packaged cake mix
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Water
• Milk
• Sugar
• Egg yolks
• Butter, softened
• Vanilla extract
• Sprinkles, colored sugar or candies, for decoration

1. Preheat oven to the temperature specified in the cake mix instructions.
2. Mix the packaged cake mix with the eggs, vegetable oil and water in a large bowl as directed by the package instructions.
3. Line a cupcake pan with paper liners.
4. Fill each paper liner halfway full with the cake batter.
5. Bake for the specified amount of time, per package instructions.
6. Remove from oven, transfer cupcakes to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
7. Heat the milk in a small saucepan over low heat until it boils.
8. Combine the sugar and egg yolks in a medium bowl.
9. Slowly mix in the heated milk.
10. Return the mixture to the saucepan and heat over medium heat until it is slightly thickened.
11. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl and allow to cool to room temperature.
12. Beat the softened butter in a separate medium bowl until fluffy.
13. Slowly add the cooled milk mixture to the butter, mixing in 1/4 cup at a time.
14. Mix in the vanilla. Refrigerate if necessary to attain the desired icing consistency.
15. Frost the cooled cupcakes with the icing. Decorate with sprinkles, colored sugar and candies as desired.
16. Serve and enjoy.