Conversation Cupcakes

Total Time

Prep: 45 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Makes

28 cupcakes

Updated: Feb. 01, 2023
Enjoy frosting sweet sentiments onto these valentines cupcakes by baking a batch ahead of time using no-fuss cake mix. You don't even need a heart-shaped muffin tin to make them. — Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ingredients

  • 1 package white cake mix (regular size)
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 2 tablespoons 2% milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon butter flavoring, optional
  • 4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • Assorted food coloring, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line muffin cups with foil or paper liners. Place 1 marble (or marble-sized foil ball) in each muffin cup between liners and muffin pan to create heart shape. Prepare cake mix batter according to package directions for cupcakes.
  2. Fill prepared cups half full. Bake 20 minutes or according to package directions for cupcakes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
  3. For frosting, in a large bowl, beat butter, shortening, milk, vanilla and, if desired, butter flavoring until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. If desired, tint frosting with food coloring. Frost cupcakes and decorate with Valentine messages.

Nutrition Facts

1 cupcake: 228 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 163mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.