Valentine Brownie Cupcakes

Valentine Brownie Cupcakes


You'll make yourself and your Valentine very happy with these!

Make the pan of brownies ahead of time so that they can thoroughly cool.
Best Brownies
Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup butter
* 1 cup white sugar
* 2 eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
2. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.
4. Allow these to cool thoroughly, preferably until the next day.
5. Take a small heart shaped cookie cutter and cut out the hearts.

Next, bake your cupcakes. The cupcake recipe is from Kelly Eason. She substitutes margarine and soy milk, instead of butter and regular milk, to make this recipe work for her lactose intolerant child.
Cupcakes
Ingredients:

* 2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
* 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 3/4 c. butter, softened
* 1 3/4 c. sugar
* 3 large eggs, room temperature
* 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
* 1 1/4 c. milk
* 1 container of Pillsbury Valentine's Funfetti Frosting (sprinkles included)
* 1 bag of Jet-Puffed HeartMallows (Marshmallows)Strawberry Flavored


Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375°F.

In bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt with a wire whisk.

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and mix until completely combines. Slowly add flour alternately with milk. Mix until smooth. Bake until slightly brown on top.

Once the cupcakes have cooled, add frosting. Then with a butter knife, cut a small indention in the top and add a brownie heart standing up. Add sprinkles or sugar crystals if desired.

Enjoy!

Red Velvet Brownies

Red Velvet Brownies
Southern Living, DECEMBER 2010

These taste AMAZING! Once I saw this recipe in Southern Living, I had to try it!! They are great for people, like me, that have a strong sweet-tooth! They may be a little too rich for the average person.

Makes 16 servings

Ingredients

* 1 (4-oz.) bittersweet chocolate baking bar, chopped
* 3/4 cup butter
* 2 cups sugar
* 4 large eggs
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 (1-oz.) bottle red liquid food coloring
* 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* Small-Batch Cream Cheese Frosting
* Garnish: white chocolate curls

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottom and sides of a 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil, allowing 2 to 3 inches to extend over sides; lightly grease foil.

2. Microwave chocolate and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring at 30-second intervals. Whisk in sugar. Add eggs, 1 at a time, whisking just until blended after each addition. Gently stir in flour and next 4 ingredients. Pour mixture into prepared pan.

3. Bake at 350° for 44 to 48 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 2 hours).

4. Lift brownies from pan, using foil sides as handles; gently remove foil. Spread Small-Batch Cream Cheese Frosting on top of brownies, and cut into 16 squares. Garnish, if desired.

Small-Batch Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

* 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
* 3 tablespoons butter, softened
* 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and salt, beating until blended. Stir in vanilla.