Description
Adorable, romantic, and full of charm — these Hidden Heart Valentine’s Cupcakes are the sweetest surprise you can bake! Each bite reveals a hidden pink heart inside a fluffy vanilla cupcake, topped with dreamy buttercream frosting.
Ingredients
1 box strawberry or pink cake mix (for the hidden hearts)
1 box vanilla cake mix (for the main cupcakes)
Ingredients listed on cake mix boxes (oil, eggs, water)
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2–3 tbsp milk or heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pink or red food coloring (optional for frosting)
Heart-shaped cookie cutter (small)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan and bake the strawberry or pink cake according to package instructions.
2. Let it cool completely, then cut out small hearts using the cookie cutter.
3. Prepare vanilla cake batter according to the package directions.
4. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and fill each about 1/3 full with vanilla batter.
5. Place one pink cake heart upright in the center of each cup, then carefully spoon more vanilla batter around (not over) the heart until 3/4 full.
6. Bake for 18–20 minutes, until the cupcakes are set and lightly golden.
7. Cool completely on a wire rack.
8. For the frosting, beat butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until fluffy.
9. Tint with pink or red food coloring if desired.
10. Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles or edible glitter.
Notes
Slice through the center of the cupcake to reveal the surprise heart inside!
Use chocolate cake for contrast against a pink or red heart.
Store cupcakes covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5.
Perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or a romantic surprise dessert!
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg