This easy-to-make recipe for XOXO Valentine’s Cupcakes is a showstopper for any Valentine’s Day party you might attend! So cute and perfect for any party, show someone you care about some “hugs and kisses” this year!
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XOXO Valentine’s Cupcakes
This is one of the sweetest ways you can say “XOXO” to someone (otherwise known as “hugs and kisses”) – these adorable and delicious XOXO Valentine’s Cupcakes! Show your love for a special someone with these easy to decorate Valentine’s Cupcakes! After making these for someone you love, I bet you might get some hugs and kisses in return! 😉
Easy XOXO Valentine’s Cupcakes
Made with a foolproof recipe for homemade buttercream frosting, these delectable Valentine’s cupcakes are made with fondant X’s and O’s so you can share your hugs and kisses in the sweetest of ways – with baked goods! Yes! Easy to decorate, you can involve the kiddos in this one!
Vanilla XOXO Valentine’s Cupcakes
We chose to make these XOXO Valentine’s Cupcakes with a vanilla cake mix, but you could easily make it with red velvet, chocolate, or more! I love a good classic vanilla cupcake myself, and I think it only accentuates the adorable XOXO decoration on top, don’t you think?
Valentine’s Day XOXO Valentine’s Cupcakes
These XOXO Valentine’s Cupcakes are easy to decorate so you can involve the kiddos in this one! Let them take the X and O letter shapes and cut out the fondant. Heck, give ’em a rolling pin and let them roll out the fondant, too! Fondant molds like clay and it’s a lot of fun for kids!
Simple XOXO Valentine’s Cupcakes
To make decorating sweets easier, I use ready made fondant. I am not the best fondant maker on the planet, I admit this wholeheartedly. And you know what? That’s okay. I like to decorate and create art and fun treats and desserts, it’s okay if I suck at fondant because ready made is perfectly acceptable and just so dang easy to use!
Fun XOXO Valentine’s Cupcakes
The kids are obsessed with these alphabet cookie cutters, by the way. Be prepared for an onslaught of alphabet baked goods probably coming in the next couple months. They want to make their names out of fondant, they want to make alphabet cookies, they want to make EVERYTHING THEY CAN, haha! The cookie cutters are easily washable, so I figure, why not let the kids have fun, you know?
XOXO Valentine’s Cupcakes Recipe
If you haven’t already invested in a good reusable frosting bag with a set of Wilton decorating tips, I highly suggest it. The reusable bags are pretty easy to clean after decorating with our homemade buttercream frosting and sturdier than the disposable bags option. Starting with a set of tips is actually a great way to start because the kits often include some of the most popular ones for the most popular designs!
How to Make XOXO Valentine’s Cupcakes
To make these adorable XOXO Valentine’s Cupcakes, you will need the following ingredients:
- Vanilla cake mix + ingredients to make them
- Softened butter
- Confectioners’ sugar
- Milk
- Pink fondant
- Purple fondant
- X-shaped cookie cutter
- O-shaped cookie cutter
You will also need the following tools:
Prepare and bake your cupcakes according to the directions on the cake mix box. Most cake mixes yield two dozen (24) cupcakes. I baked my cupcakes in red cupcake liners for Valentine’s Day, but you can choose pink or purple ones to match the fondant. Be sure to cool your cupcakes fully before decorating so the frosting doesn’t inadvertently melt off your cupcakes.
To begin the decorating process, we have to make the incredibly tasty homemade buttercream. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together your butter, confectioners’ sugar and milk. Start on low and gradually increase to high. Once the buttercream is smooth, scoop into a frosting bag and pipe out a dollop of icing on each cupcake. I know you’ll want to snack on some, but wait! Frost the cupcakes first! 😉
Roll out each fondant color so that it’s about ¼ of an inch thick. Using your cookie cutters, cut out 48 X’s of each color and 48 O’s of each color. It sounds like a lot but the kids’ll have a blast helping here! Carefully handle them as they are highly pliable and moldable and they can change shape quickly! It’s best to work on a silicone cutting mat for this one, you guys.
Gently place the fondant shapes on each cupcake, alternating colors. You can use a spatula to help you if you wish, but like I said, be careful when placing! Once the letters are placed, you can serve and enjoy!
Can you even with the adorableness of these XOXO Valentine’s cupcakes? I love them so much and I hope you do too! If you looove cupcakes, check out all the rest of my cupcake recipes and dessert recipes plus check out my new cupcakes Pinterest board, too!
XOXO Valentine’s Cupcakes
Ingredients
- Vanilla cake mix + ingredients to make them
- 2 sticks butter softened
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 3-4 tbsp milk
- 8-10 oz. pink fondant
- 8-10 oz. purple fondant
- X-shaped cookie cutter
- O-shaped cookie cutter
Instructions
- Prepare and bake your cupcakes according to the mix’s directions. Most cake mixes yield two dozen cupcakes.
- Cool your cupcakes on a wire rack before decorating.
- To begin the decorating process, make your buttercream. In a large bowl and using an electric mixer, beat together your butter, confectioners’ sugar and milk. Start on low and gradually increase to high.
- Once the buttercream is smooth, scoop into a frosting bag and pipe out a dollop of icing on each cupcake.
- Roll out each fondant color so that it’s about ¼ of an inch thick. Using your cookie cutters, cut out 48 X’s of each color and 48 O’s of each color.
- Place the fondant shapes on each cupcake, alternating colors. Serve and enjoy!
