Ready for a sweet Valentine’s treat? If you live in New Jersey or watch the Food Network’s Sweet Genius, you have probably heard of Sweet Samantha…and love her! She is a gifted pastry chef and custom cake designer that is truly passionate about her baked creations. She is sharing a super decadent recipe with RapidLash that is perfect for love day. Enjoy!

Sweet Samantha Says

Kiss kiss!!! Valentine’s Day is approaching and perhaps the same old question is on your mind “how can I make something scrumptious to surprise my loved one?” Today I am going to give you a practically no fail path to awesomeness that any man, women, or child will be drooling over. You can hang up your apron and smile as you too take a big delicious bite of your Homemade Pink Velvet Cupcakes. Yes! You ARE a domestic GODDESS! Happy Hearts Day everyone!

Pink Velvet Cupcakes with Vanilla Almond Buttercream:

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 and lining a dozen cupcake liners into a cupcake tin.
In 2 separate bowls, mix wet/ dry separate then slowly combine together until just smooth …be sure to have all items room temp.

Wet = 1 egg, 3/4 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup veg oil, a few drops pink food color, 1 cup sugar (yes, this belongs with wet ingredients) 1 tsp vanilla

Dry= 1 1/2 cups flour, 2 tsp cornstarch, 1/4 tsp salt

In a tiny bowl blend 1/2 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp vinegar — add to mix all together.
Scoop even 3/4 full into your liners – bake approximately 20 minutes (should spring back if you gently touch.)
Cool completely before frosting.

Easy & Yummy Buttercream

In a stand mixer, whip the following:
1/4 cup evaporated milk (whole)
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
Pinch of salt
1 tsp of vanilla (or blend in a bit of almond or rum extract too.)
Powdered sugar until proper consistency
Continue adding sugar until thick enough to pipe / whip till smooth

Place into frosting bag with a star tip and with a circle motion , swirl onto your cupcake!

Edible Heart & Flower Decorations:

This stuff is a Sweet Samantha secret and it is amazing. Use a small amount of pre-colored frosting (about a Tbs.) and mix in powdered sugar until thick — place onto countertop and knead until smooth and thick like play dough. You can now mold, shape, roll and cookie cutter this great material. Make some pink / red / white! I used a silicone mold by Wilton to create the fun embossed shapes. To hand roll a simple rose, press a small bit of dough into a snake, flatten it and roll up like a snail – voila! A rose!

Have fun making these delicious creations for your someone special!