Valentines day. Does this day make you cringe? I’ve never been too into it. It always seemed like an excuse for women to make the men in their lives spend too much money on some ridiculous frivolity. Or a way to make single people feel bad(don’t even get me started on sweetest day, that one is totally made up). We’ve never done too much for it. Maybe a small gift here or there, occasionally a dinner out. I’ve never really gotten excited about it.

This years different. I think everything is different when you have a baby. She makes everything more fun. And makes me want to celebrate valentines day, and love, and put her in ridiculous pink outfits even though I hate the color pink. She looks so cute in it though.

So I made some cupcakes. Cute little things with pink frosting. I haven’t made cupcakes in a while, I think I got burned out of them, what with a cupcake shop popping up on every corner (in case you’re wondering this is my favorite cupcake shop). But this morning I decided we needed tiny little cupcakes. Perfect for little hands if only she was old enough to eat them. I went into the kitchen, with my baby strapped to my chest and came up with the softest chocolate cupcakes. Then I topped them with pink cream cheese frosting and sprinkles. She seemed quite entertained by the whole thing. I’m hoping when she’s big enough, she’ll love being in the kitchen with me.

These cupcakes bake up in 10 minutes and the frosting is super easy too. Nothing fussy about it, super soft cream cheese frosting that is perfect for swirling on with a knife, no piping required(although I have to admit I find piping so much easier). Bake theses for your sweetie and I’m sure you’ll have a happy heart day indeed!

Chocolate Cupcakes with Pink Cream Cheese Frosting

Makes 60 mini cupcakes

Ingredients

2 cups flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup(2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs
8 ounces semi sweet chocolate, melted
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frosting:

1 cup(2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
3 cups confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Red food coloring
Chocolate sprinkles

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line mini muffin pan with cupcake liners. In a large bowl mix flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

2. Cream butter and sugar together in a stand mixer on high for about 3 minutes, until pale and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Pour in chocolate, mixing to combine. Add vanilla to milk. Alternating flour and milk, add to butter and eggs, beginning and ending with flour in 3 batches until fully incorporated. Use a small cookie scoop and fill muffin tins. Bake for 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.

3. Make the frosting. In a stand mixer beat butter and cream cheese until well mixed and fluffy. Add confectioners sugar, 1 cup at time, scraping down bowl between additions. Add vanilla extract. Add food coloring until desired shade of pink is achieved. Frost cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and top with sprinkles.