Big Heart Valentine's Day Cupcakes

Just in time for Valentine's Day.! Valentine's Day is that special time of year to give the people that we love a little something that says, "I love you, this much..."  That's why I thought it fitting to share this 'big heart' cupcake recipe that can be made by Mom or even with the help of little ones. The ingredients are simple and most can be found at your local grocery store.  You'll need:

Big Heart Valentine's Day Cupcakes

Ingredients

* one bag of red Wilton candy melts

* 1-2 deep heart-shaped candy molds**

* one box of white cake mix

* three eggs

* 1/3 cup vegetable oil

* 1 cup of water

* one container of cream cheese frosting

* your favorite red sprinkles

* 24 paper muffin liners

* one disposable decorating bag**

*  Cake decorating tip #2D**

(**-Decorating tips, bags, and candy molds can be found at your local cake & baking supplies stores, at Walmart, Michael's or at BakeItPretty.com)

Preparation

First, empty your red Wilton candy melts into a large microwave safe mixing bowl.  Microwave them on high for 1 minute.  Remove the bowl from microwave and stir.  Put them back in for an additional 30 seconds and stir again.  The melts may seem to be a little lumpy at first, but without microwaving any further, continue to stir until smooth. *Note: Over microwaving the melts can make them un-usable and hard to stir.

Next, make sure that your deep heart candy mold is not only clean, but dry.  Any little droplets of water could make for bubbles in your beautiful hearts.  And we don't want that :) 

Begin to fill the mold with a small tablespoon.  Fill the hearts about two-thirds of the way, leaving about an 1/8 of inch space from the top of the mold.

Clean off any excess candy around the heart cavities with a damp paper cloth or towel. After that's done, set the mold, uncovered and completely flat in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.  While you wait for those to set, get started on your cupcakes.

Follow the instructions for your cake mix and 1-2 dozen cupcakes. Depending on the size you should get roughly 18 nice-sized cupcakes.  As always, fill your cupcake cavities just over two-thirds of the way.  Again, leaving about a 1/8 inch space from the top of your pan.  Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Once they're done, let them cool completely while we check on our hearts and get our frosting bag ready.

Cut I 1-inch triangle off of the front of your decorating bag.  Enough room for your decorating tip to fit snug but not loose.  Fill the bag about half-way with your frosting (you may have to fill the bag a couple of times to decorate all of your cupcakes, or you could use a larger decorating bag.

Starting from the outside, working your way inward to the center, going around, layering a circular pattern. 

When you finally get to the center, lift your bag up and give it one last "squeeze" to make sort of a 'hill' of frosting.  (Afterall, who doesn't like a little extra frosting :)

Take your hearts out of the fridge and gently turn them over onto a clean pan or cookie-sheet.  After 20-25 minutes in the cold, these hearts should be completely set.

Set your molded heart right in the center of your cupcake on top of that little "hill" of frosting.  Sprinkle it with your favorite red sprinkles, and a special handmade note.  And there you have it.  You just made something really special for Daddy or Grandma, or that neighbor across the street.  And in the end, you spread a little love and made someone feel really special.

Happy Valentine's Day!
~Bakie