30 Valentine’s Day Cupcakes We Love

Conversation Cupcakes

Enjoy frosting sweet sentiments onto these Valentine’s Day 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

Find more Valentine’s Day dessert ideas.

Pink Velvet Cupcakes

My daughter loves all things pink, so this recipe was just right for her birthday. (It’s great for Valentine’s Day, too). Even my teenage son (not a fan of pink) ate his share! —Paulette Smith, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Take a look at these Valentine’s Day cake recipes.

Brownie Kiss Cupcakes

It’s fun to prepare individual brownie “cupcakes” with a chocolaty “surprise” inside. My goddaughter, Cara, asks me to make them for her birthday to share at school. This year, she requested 32. I later found out she only needed 27 for her class…wonder where the other five went! —Pamela Lute, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania

We love Valentine’s Day cookies, too.

Strawberry Cupcakes with Whipped Cream Frosting

Fresh strawberries are full of water, so they have a tendency to weigh down cake batters and make soggy cakes. That’s why these strawberry cupcakes rely on strawberry jam or preserves. The concentrated flavor is just right for light and tender cupcakes. I love making them for Valentine’s Day. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Chocolate Cream Cupcakes

My favorite hockey team the Boston Bruins inspired these cupcakes. Add a love note on top using a little white icing. —Alisa Christensen, Rancho Santa Margarita, California

Editor’s tip: Pair these sweet desserts with a few savory Valentine’s Day appetizers for a balanced holiday spread.

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

My 3-year-old son loves these vanilla bean cupcakes! Flecks of vanilla bean in the moist, tender cupcakes gives them special-occasion status. We enjoy them on Valentine’s Day and other holidays. —Alysha Braun, St. Catharines, Ontario

These mini cakes are so customizable! Finish them with any of our homemade frosting recipes.

Red Wine and Chocolate Cupcakes

Red wine and chocolate make an amazing pairing, especially in these rich, elegant cupcakes made for my mother’s birthday. She adores them! —Candace Cheney, Fort McMurray, Alberta

Chai Cupcakes

You’ll get a double dose of the spicy blend that’s frequently used to flavor tea in these moist single-size cakes. Both the cupcake and frosting use the blend, which combines some of the best flavors of the winter season. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Special Mocha Cupcakes

Topped with a fluffy frosting and chocolate sprinkles, these extra-rich, extra-delicious cupcakes smell wonderful while baking and taste even better! Indulge in them on Valentine’s Day, birthdays or some other special occasion. —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Here are some Valentine’s Day pastries and breads to bake up.

Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes

Decorate these simple gluten-free vanilla cupcakes for any special occasion or holiday. Since the frosting recipe includes cream cheese, be sure to refrigerate leftovers. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Check out our best Valentine’s Day baking gear.

Chocolate Ganache Peanut Butter Cupcakes

I've been baking cakes for years and enjoy trying new combinations of flavors and textures. For this peanut butter cupcake recipe, I blended peanut butter and chocolate. As soon as I took the first bite, I knew I had created something divine! —Ronda Schabes, Vicksburg, Michigan

Chocolate-Dipped Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

I created this recipe based on our family’s love of chocolate-dipped ice cream cones. Red heart-shaped sprinkles make them fun for Valentine’s Day. Vary the color to match the occasion. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan

Lemon Cream Cupcakes

Instead of a layer cake, serve guests these delicate cupcakes tinged with a tangy lemon flavor. —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

These indulgent vegan chocolate cupcakes have no butter, eggs or dairy milk, but you’d never guess it. This recipe is perfect for Valentine’s Day, potlucks and family gatherings that include guests with food restrictions. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Coconut Tres Leches Cupcakes

Three types of milk wonderfully moisten these cupcakes. Toasted coconut on top adds an elegant touch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Cherry Cheese Cupcakes

Our church Christmas party always includes these pretty cupcakes as my home-baked contribution. The holidays were the sweet inspiration for their cheery garnish of cherries. We enjoy them around Valentine’s Day, too. —Leanne Beagley, Rochester, New York

Nana’s Chocolate Cupcakes with Mint Frosting

Even though she is no longer with us, Nana’s treats bring me so much joy every time I bake them. For a more indulgent version, double the frosting and pile it on high! —Chekota Hunter, Cassville, Missouri

Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes

My granddaughter Sydney has acquired a love of baking. While I was visiting her in Tampa, we made these light, fluffy cupcakes. She’s a natural—these turned out fantastic! —Lonnie Hartstack, Clarinda, Iowa

Oreo Cupcakes with Cookies and Cream Frosting

Kids and adults alike will find these Oreo cupcakes irresistible. If you want to pipe the frosting, be sure to thoroughly crush the cookies. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Chocolate-Glazed Cupcakes

Because I have a dairy allergy, I'm always on the search for treats I can eat. I prepare these cupcakes with dairy-free chocolate chips and vanilla coconut milk instead of cream. —Kirstin Turner, Richlands, North Carolina

Coconut Dream Cupcakes

My daughter, Elizabeth, came up with this incredible recipe for Valentine’s Day. The cream cheese in the middle is a fun surprise when someone takes their first bite. —Julie Flournoy, Laurelville, OH

Peanut-Filled Devil’s Food Cupcakes

This recipe features a luscious peanut butter filling surrounded by devil’s food and then iced with a rich layer of ganache. They’re to die for! —Mary Lou Timpson, Colorado City, Arizona

Orange Buttermilk Cupcakes

Simple and delicious, this is our all-time favorite low-fat dessert. You'll be surprised how well the citrus flavor comes through in every bite.

Dream Cupcakes

My grandchildren absolutely love these cream-filled cupcakes, and I hope the chocolaty treats become a favorite in your home as well. —Dorothy Bahlmann, Clarksville, Iowa

Yellow Cupcakes

Nothing is better than homemade cupcakes. They are so delicious and fluffy. Choose whatever frosting you want to top these treats. Pink and red sprinkles make them perfectly festive for Valentine’s Day. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Chocolate Macaroon Cupcakes

A delightful coconut and ricotta cheese filling is hidden inside these chocolate cupcakes. —Dolores Skrout, Summerhill, Pennsylvania

Peanut Butter Truffle Cupcakes

Everybody loves cupcakes, and these have a wonderfully tasty hidden treasure inside. They’re rich and delicious! —Marlene Schollenberger, Bloomington, Indiana

Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes

We love using this simple vegan vanilla cupcake recipe as a base to layer on extra flavor. Stir in grated orange zest and chopped pecans, vegan chocolate chips and cinnamon, or your own favorite mix-ins. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes

I have baked cupcakes for years. These easy to make treats make an attractive dessert for special occasions. —Barbara Hahn, Park Hills, Missouri

Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes

You only need a few baking staples to throw together these gooey delights. Boxed cake mix and a can of frosting make them fast, but caramel, walnuts and chocolate chips tucked inside make them memorable. We like them with ice cream. —Bev Spain, Belleville, Ohio