Red Queen Inspired Red Velvet Heart Cupcakes
One of my favorite villains is The Red Queen from Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland and so I decided to make some cupcakes inspired by her fondness for hearts. I’ve made two different cupcakes both perfectly suitable for Valentine’s Day or any other day of the year. 😉
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Ingredients:
- 1 Duncan Hines (or any brand) Red Velvet Cake Mix
- 3 eggs
- Oil
- Water
- Gold Foil (or heart-themed) cupcake liners
Directions: Make cupcakes according to package directions. Pour into cupcake pan lined with gold foil or paper liners. Bake as directed. Let cool.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
Ingredients:
- 1 (8 oz) brick Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 stick Butter, softened
- 4 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 2-4 tablespoons Milk
Directions:
Place softened cream cheese, butter and vanilla in a large bowl and blend with an electric mixer until smooth. Slowly add in powdered sugar, one cup at a time, blending after each. After all of the powdered sugar has been added, thin out the frosting by adding the milk, one tablespoon at a time then mixing until the consistency you desire has been reached. Set aside.
Chocolate Hearts
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or Wilton Cocoa Melts
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or shortening
Directions:
See Cupcake #2 below.
Assemble the Cupcakes
Cupcake #1:
Cut out a small heart shape from a piece of paper or card stock.
Place it in the center of your cooled cupcake. Lightly press it down so the paper sticks to the top.
Using a sifter or spoon, sprinkle powdered sugar over the entire surface of the cupcake.
Now carefully remove the heart-shaped paper from the center of the cupcake. You can use a toothpick to help pick up the corner.
Ta-da! Your cupcake is complete! Wasn’t that easy? Now let’s move on to the second cupcake. Cupcake #2: Fill a gallon-size freezer bag with cream cheese icing. Cut off the tip making a 1-inch wide opening at the corner of the bag (or use an icing bag). Squeeze the bag while making a circular motion to create the mound on top.
Next, place a piece of wax paper on top of a plate. Melt 1/2 cup of chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon oil or shortening in the microwave (in 30-second increments). Stir well. Place into a squeeze bottle or quart-size freezer bag and cut off the tip creating a narrow opening. Gently squeeze heart shapes onto the wax paper. Place the entire plate of chocolate hearts in the freezer until hardened.
When the chocolate hearts are set, gently peel them from the wax paper and insert into the center of the frosting mound on each cupcake.
Isn’t that cute? Now you have 2 options of cupcakes to make for Valentine’s Day! Or you can make these cupcakes for your next Mad Hatter Tea Party!! And even on your Un-Birthday!! (Which is tomorrow by the way.) Enjoy!
Happy Valentine’s Day!! “I need a pig here!”