Valentine's day cupcakes are decorated to express affection, with accessories such as candy hearts, cupids, hugs and kisses. For Valentine cupcake recipes and decorating tips, check out the links on this page.

No matter if you want to make something sweet for someone special in your life, or need to make cupcakes for your child to take to a school Valentine's Day celebration, simple decorations can turn basic cupcakes into a sweet Valentine's Day treat. Consider making and decorating cupcakes with your children for the start of a holiday tradition, or use your creative flair to make a treat that is as pleasing to look at as it is to eat.

• Martha Stewart recommends decorating Valentine's cupcakes with red-hot heart shaped candies. Use the candies to make Xs and Os in the frosting.Martha Stewart: Valentine's Day Cupcakes

• Surprise your sweethearts by filling a lined cupcake tin with batter and then pressing individual Hershey's kisses into the batter and baking. A chocolate surprise awaits inside.All Recipes: Secret Kiss Cupcakes

• Wilton's recommends topping Valentine cupcakes with handmade candy hearts with arrows through them. Simple make the hearts ahead of time and refrigerate them, and create the arrows using frosting and lollipop sticks.Wilton's: An Arrow for Your Beau

• Consider buying basic cupcakes at your favorite bakery or grocery store and then personalize them with Valentine's Day candy.