Valentine's Day Cupcakes

The Occasion
Valentine's Day... I wanted to make mini cupcakes because I had made some big ones recently and also knew that the Ducks were coming up soon, so didn't want to get burned out on eating large cupcakes. This was also a learning experience for "dipping" cupcakes and making smooth tops!

Cupcakes: Chocolate (Devil's Food mix with extra added)
Frosting: Chocolate Buttercream ('normal' cupcakes) & Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Frosting (heated for the 'smooth' cupcakes)
Toppings: Chocolate-frosting covered marshmallow halves, gummy flower heads, & peanut butter hearts. Pink baking chips were melted and drizzled over the marshmallows and hearts.

Changes for Next Time

• The cupcakes were too fluffy for the heft of toppings on them. More importantly, it was difficult to decorate them without the sides caving in while they were held. A more bundt-like cake batter would have worked better.
  
• Dipped cupcakes: It is worth the extra seconds to make sure the frosting is done dripping before turning them upright. A lot of these were ruined (in look- not taste!) because the frosting continued to drip down the side of the liner.
  
• The chocolate frosting was a bit too runny (hot) when I dipped the marshmallows, so it didn't coat them evenly. It should be a bit thicker to completely cover them.