Carla's Confections: Chocolate Valentines Cupcakes with Marshmallow Cream Frosting

I know everyone keeps saying this, but man I just cannot believe its less than a week away from Valentine's Day! Seriously though, where did the time go? I feel like it was just yesterday that we were counting down to Christmas. Goodness time flies!

Since it is so close to the holiday of love, I wanted to give you plenty of time to make these cute little things for your loved one, or for your kid's class, or workmates, or just for yourself. I wont judge you for doing that I promise ;)

Aren't they the cutest with the minis schmushed into the top of the normal sized ~~fellas~~ ladies? I wanted to create something slightly out of the ordinary, yet simple, so it would actually be a quick and easy dessert to throw together for the day.

I have to tell you that this cupcake recipe - well - I made it up! Yep! All on my own, without consulting any other recipes! This was my first ever time doing this (at least with desserts), so I was pretty darned proud of myself.

And the even better part...

They taste good!! Isn't that so great? Haha, I certainly wouldn't be sharing them with you if they weren't good.

I took them to Matt's work the other day, and one guy came and grabbed a cupcake (after me telling him to), walked out, and five minutes later came back into where the cupcakes and I were, and said that was seriously the best cupcake he had ever had.

Ok, so the fact that these guys (and gals) sit at a computer screen 10 hours of the day and probably don't get homemade food, let alone desserts too often, might have something to do with the comment. But I'll take compliments where I can get them ;)

I would love for you to try my recipe and let me know how it works out for you, and I encourage positive critiquing. This was my first ever attempt at creating a recipe and would love to hear feedback. Now hear me say this... I am not saying that there isn't another recipe out there that looks very similar to this one. This is just a chocolate cake after all. But I came up with this without consulting any recipes at all. Just my brain. So I think that deserves a pat on the back anyway.

Oh yes, and I should tell you the only thing that makes these "Valentine's-y" is the liners and sprinkles (thank you Heidi for sending those to me!!), so feel free to play around with the recipe. It is the perfect holiday to play with your food!

I'd love to see what you come up with!

So what are your plans for V-day? Matt and I are staying in, cooking a fun meal together (still up in the air what that will be) and kicking back :) Hope your guys' is filled with love... and cupcakes!

Chocolate Valentine's Cupcakes with Marshmallow Cream Frosting | Printable Recipe
makes 14 large and 12 mini

for the cupcakes:
ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup cocoa powder, sifted
1 cup hot water
1/3 cup melted chocolate
1/2 cup chocolate chunks

directions:

Preheat oven to 350F/180C and line 14 large cupcake tins with liners, and 12 mini cupcake tins, or however many you want.
In a bowl, mix together flour, baking soda and cocoa powder. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the sugar and butter until fluffy. Add in egg and vanilla until combined. Turn the mixer on low and alternate adding the flour mixture and water, until fully combined. Add in the melted chocolate and then stir in the chocolate chunks.
Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 min for the regular sized, and 15-18 for the minis. Allow to cool completely while you make the frosting.

for the frosting:
ingredients: