I can’t believe another year has gone by and Valentine’s Day is almost here. While many people think this holiday is just a Hallmark holiday, I really enjoy it. I love being able to buy presents for my loved ones and let them know how much they are loved and appreciated. Over the years, baking has been on the top of my list of things to do for Valentines. Let’s be real, who doesn’t love homemade treats?

Usually, I’ll make some cutesy chocolate and cookies with hearts all over them for Valentine’s Day but since Bryce is at home with me, I wanted to add a little twist to our Valentine’s Day treats. We decided to make Valentine’s Day Monster Cupcakes. Not only are these still festive and fun, my son loves them because they’re monsters!

These are a great treat for kids to make with you, they love getting messy with the icing and being able to sneak in a few bites of all the sweet goodness.

Valentines Day Monster Cupcakes

Makes 22 cupcakes

1 box of French Vanilla Cake Mix
3 eggs
1/2 C (1 stick) of softened unsalted sweet cream butter
1 C whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
22 brown M&M’s
22 square marshmallows
1 small fondant circle cutter
1 package of mustache
1 container of Red fondant
1/2 C powdered sugar
1 Mini heart cookie cutter
cupcake liners
cupcake pan
1 tube of chocolate frosting
1 disposable piping bag fitted with a number 4 tip
1 disposable piping bag fitted with a wilton grass tip

Directions for cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350 and line cupcake pan with the liners
Using a hand mixer, beat together the cake mix, butter, milk, and vanilla and mix until combined
Using a medium ice cream scoop, scoop the batter into the cupcake liners and fill about 3/4 of the way full
Bake in the oven for about 21 minutes
Pull out and place on the side to cool

Heart Ears Directions

Sprinkle the 1/2 C of powdered sugar and roll the red fondant out to 1/8th inch thick
Cut out 44 hearts for the “Ears”
Set aside to dry

Eye’s Directions

Using the circle cookie cutter, cut out 22 rounds from the marshmallows for the eyes
Pipe a dollop of chocolate frosting onto the center of the marshmallow
Place a M&M onto the frosting

Frosting Ingredients

1 C unsalted
3 C powder sugar
3 – 5 TBSP heavy whipping cream
1 tsp Vanilla bean paste
Pink gel food coloring

Directions

In a standing mixer, combine the butter, powder sugar, vanilla, and the heavy whipping cream.
Mix on medium speed until stiff and creamy.If you still see powdery pebbles, add in 2 more tbsp heavy whipping cream.
Continue to mix until stiff and creamy
Beat in a few drops of pink food coloring and mix until fully combined and frosting is a dark pink color
Scoop some frosting into both piping bags
Pipe squiggly lines all over the top of the cupcake
Place a “eye” in the center of the frosting
Place two red hearts into the top sides of the frosting for the ears
Place a mustache into the lower center of the frosting

Valentine's Day Monster Cupcakes

Cute Valentine's Day Cupcakes for all ages! These are easy to make and a great recipe for kids to help with.

Ingredients

1 box of french vanilla cake mix
3 eggs
1/2 C (1 stick) of softened unsalted sweet cream butter
1 C whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
22 brown M&M's
22 square marshmallows
1 small fondant circle cutter
1 package of mustache
1 container of Red fondant
1/2 C powdered sugar
1 Mini heart cookie cutter
cupcake liners
cupcake pan
1 tube of chocolate frosting
1 disposable piping bag fitted with a number 4 tip
1 disposable piping bag fitted with a wilton grass tip
Frosting Ingredients
1 C unsalted
3 C powder sugar
3 - 5 TBSP heavy whipping cream
1 tsp Vanilla bean paste
Pink gel food coloring

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 and line cupcake pan with the liners
Using a hand mixer, beat together the cake mix, butter, milk, and vanilla and mix until combined
Using a medium ice cream scoop, scoop the batter into the cupcake liners and fill about 3/4 of the way full
Bake in the oven for about 21 minutes
Pull out and place on the side to cool
Heart Ears Directions
Sprinkle the 1/2 C of powdered sugar and roll the red fondant out to 1/8th inch thick
Cut out 44 hearts for the "Ears"
Set aside to dry

Eye's Directions

Using the circle cookie cutter, cut out 22 rounds from the marshmallows for the eyes
Pipe a dollop of chocolate frosting onto the center of the marshmallow
Place a M&M onto the frosting

Frosting Directions

In a standing mixer, combine the butter, powder sugar, vanilla, and the heavy whipping cream.
Mix on medium speed until stiff and creamy. If you still see powdery pebbles, add in 2 more tbsp heavy whipping cream.

Continue to mix until stiff and creamy
Beat in a few drops of pink food coloring and mix until fully combined and frosting is a dark pink color
Scoop some frosting into both piping bags
Pipe squiggly lines all over the top of the cupcake
Place a "eye" in the center of the frosting
Place two red hearts into the top sides of the frosting for the ears
Place a mustache into the lower center of the frosting