Baking for someone you love is more than a kitchen adventure; it's a personalized expression of love. The act of measuring, mixing and crafting something sweet becomes a heartfelt gesture, creating memories that linger far beyond the last crumb.
So with that in mind, we're diving headfirst into these chocolate cupcakes! If you're looking for a fun and easy treat to make for your loved ones, this is the recipe for you. We combine the ease of a box mix with a splash of cuteness in the form of a pink ganache filling shaped into adorable hearts and made with the help of a cookie cutter. It's a little surprise that adds a whole lot of love to every single bite.
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Whether you're a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and pizzazz. They're perfect for those moments when you want to impress without breaking a sweat. You can mix the cupcakes in one bowl and the ganache in another. No major cleanup is always a plus, and you can make these in just one hour!
Video: Heart-Filled Chocolate Cupcakes
Quick Recipe Overview
SERVINGS: 24 cupcakes
PREP TIME: 10-15 minutes
BAKE TIME: 18-20 minutes
DECORATING TIME: 15-20 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 43-55 minutes
Things You'll Need
- 2 cupcake pans
- 24 cupcake liners
- Large bowl
- Scoop
- Small spoon
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter
- Chocolate boxed cake mix (we used Duncan Hines devil’s food cake mix)
- 1/2 cup (3.5 oz.) heavy cream
- 1 cup (4 oz.) white chocolate chips
- Pink gel food coloring
- Powdered sugar
- Sifter
1. Follow boxed cake mix steps
In a large bowl, combine cake mix ingredients.
2. Portion cupcake batter
Scoop to evenly distribute the cupcake batter into the lined pans.
3. Bake cupcakes
Bake according to box mix directions. Allow the cupcakes to fully cool before decorating them.
4. Prepare cream for ganache
Measure the heavy cream and microwave it in 15-second intervals until hot (approximately 30 seconds). Add 1 drop of pink gel food coloring to the hot cream and mix to incorporate.
Tip
If you want different heart colors, you can make the ganache first by mixing the cream and chocolate. Then, split the ganache into different bowls. Add your food coloring of choice to each bowl so you can have a multicolor heart center for these chocolate cupcakes. Start with 1 drop of coloring first and add more as needed after mixing so you don't accidentally make the colors too dark.
5. Prepare the pink ganache
Stir in white chocolate chips until smooth. If the chocolate doesn't fully melt, microwave it again in 15-second intervals, being careful not to burn it.
6. Dust cupcakes
Using a sifter, dust powdered sugar onto the top of the cupcakes for an optional decorative touch.
Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to lightly wiggle and cut a heart shape on top of each cupcake.
8. Create a well for ganache
Use a small spoon to gently scoop out a portion of the heart-shaped cutout, creating a well for the ganache. Save the cupcake scraps as a chef's treat or for other future projects, like cake balls, pops, chocolate truffles or ice cream toppings.
9. Fill cutouts with ganache
Slowly pour the prepared pink ganache into the heart-shaped wells of each cupcake, being careful not to overfill them. Your cupcakes are now ready. Enjoy!
Tip
If you want some texture, you're welcome to include some add-ins. Putting toasted nuts, mini chocolate chips, cookie crumbles or candy inside the heart well first and then adding the ganache on top will make a fun treat as well. Just be sure to make the well deep enough for the ganache to hide the surprise goodies.
These are the perfect treat for Valentine's Day or for when you just want to let someone know you love them!
