Sweeten your Valentines Day with these adorable vanilla heart-shaped cupcakes! 🧁💖
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Yield: 24 cupcakes
2 cups 2 tablespoons all purpose flour 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1 ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature, divided 1 ½ cup granulated sugar 4 large eggs, at room temperature 4 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided 1 cup 3 tablespoons milk, divided 4 to 5 cups icing sugar Gel food coloring Assorted sprinkles, optional
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 cupcake pan with paper liners. Take strips of foil and roll into 24 marble-sized balls. Pinch the cupcake liners to form a heart shape. Place the balls of foil at the top of the paper liner hearts in the cupcake pans. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, blend together ¾ cup butter and the granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, allowing each egg to mix into the batter before adding the next. Add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and blend until combined. Stop the mixer and add half of the flour mixture. Mix until blended. With the mixer on low speed, slowly stream in 1 cup of milk and mix to combine. Add the remaining flour and mix to combine.
Fill the cupcake liners ⅔ to ¾ of the way full with the batter. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set the cupcakes on a wire rack to cool for adding the frosting.
To make the frosting, use a hand or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to beat 1 cup of butter until smooth. Add 4 cups of icing sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until combined then turn the mixer up to medium-high. Whip the butter until light and creamy. Add the remaining icing sugar and/or milk until the frosting is thick yet spreadable.
Tint the frosting with food coloring, if desired. Use various piping tips or swirl frosting on top of the cooled cupcakes with an offset spatula. Decorate with sprinkles or as desired.