Hugs and Kisses Cupcakes

Last year when I attended the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, I was introduced to many new products. Among those products, I connected with Sweet Works, and their products are some of my favorite decorating items. From using them to top cupcakes, to decor for parties, they always add a special pop of color. I have big plans for these babies for my upcoming parties!

When thinking about Valentine's Day recipes I knew I wanted to make cupcakes. It seems like it has been a while since I posted an adorable little cake!

Garnished with pink and red Sweet Works Celebration Sixlets, these cupcakes are the perfect way to say I love you. The cupcake and frosting are a delicious vanilla studded with fresh vanilla beans. To be a bit more festive, I dyed the cupcake batter pink for an extra surprise.

Of course my daughter loved these cupcakes for the cute decoration, and my sons gobbled them up. I think these be a great class craft too!

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Hugs and Kisses Cupcakes

Author: Jackie

Ingredients

• Cupcakes:
• 2 sticks butter (softened)
• 1 ½ sugar
• 2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or regular vanilla
• 2 whole eggs
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 ½ cups flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk with a splash of white vinegar)
• Pink food coloring

Vanilla Bean Frosting

• 1 stick unsalted butter , softened
• 2-3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
• 3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make sure all your ingredients are room temperature.
2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder and soda and mix.
3. In your mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, blend butter, sugar and vanilla at medium speed until pale and fluffy.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, scraping the bowl after each addition.
5. Add a few drops of pink food coloring.
6. Reduce speed to low and add a cup of flour followed by ⅓ of the buttermilk.
7. Repeat this 3 times, until you have incorporated all the flour and buttermilk.
8. Spoon into greased cupcake pan, and bake for 18-20 minutes.
9. Cool completely before removing.

Frosting

1. Beat butter and extract for 2 minutes.
2. Add powdered sugar and milk or cream. If the frosting still looks to wet, add more powdered sugar in ½ cup increments.
3. Beat with whisk attachment for 3 minutes on high.
4. Frost cupcakes and garnish with XOXOs.