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Valentine’s Rose Cupcakes

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A little bit of frosting, okay-a lot of vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream frosting and a rich chocolate cupcake will make all things okay again, right?

Valentines Rose Cupcakes Bakers Royale 11

Valentine's Rose Cupcakes

I’ve been sick, real sick. I was down for all of last week with the flu. I stayed home from work and didn’t do one bit of blogging. Now for a person who is use to constant movement that was hard. But my body fought against me and just wouldn’t allow my baking hands any exercise.

So of course coming out of a week-long baking absence, I wanted to make something cheerful. Cupcakes always do the trick for me. I’m not quite sure what it is, but they always make me smile.

This is a simple cupcake idea using some of my favorite basic elements like my go-to classic chocolate cupcake and my go-to vanilla frosting. The only thing I did different was to carve the frosting into some roses for a Valentine’s cupcake theme.

I wish I had set-up the shot better so you could see how simple the piping is from the side, but the bad lighting in that first shot washes everything out. Truth be told,  I had 10 minutes to photograph this morning. It shows—not my best work. And as you can tell I couldn’t settle on any one style for the shot. The composition in this second shot is all wrong and the bright white background I had intended is a dingy grey.

Valentines Rose Cupcakes Bakers Royale1

Valentine's Rose Cupcakes

Ah well. . .moving on.

Don’t be intimidated making these.  Rose cupcakes are so much easier than you may think. I started by creating a white base of ruffles with Wilton’s 2D tip and then using an offset spatula to flatten the top. After that I used Wilton’s #104 tip  to create a rose. Here’s is Wilton’s tutorial. I will be posting a video next week, since I’m assuming I can’t be the only one who likes seeing instructions in action.

A few notes:

  • Feel free to use your favorite go-to frosting. I’m personally a fan of SMB since it’s lighter in texture and not as sweet.
  • For ease of piping, I did a flash freeze of the ruffled white base after it was piped. This will help to prevent any accidental nicks to the ruffled edge if your hand slips while piping the rose on top.
  • To create the soft pink I used 2 drops of Americolor’s Electric Pink. Remember – it’s always easier to add color than to take it away, so start slow with adding it.

Valentine’s Rose Cupcakes

Recipe adapted from Alice Medrich for Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker

Makes 12 cupcakes | Preparation: Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Ingredients:

Cupcake:

  • 1 cup (4.5 ounces) all purpose flour
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (7.3 ounces) sugar
  • 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1.5 ounces) SCHARFFEN BERGER Unsweetened Natural Cocoa Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and warm
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup hot coffee

Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting:

  • 5 large egg whites
  • 11/2 cup sugar
  • 4 sticks unsalted butter, diced and softened
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla

Instructions:

Cupcake:

1. Add flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a blow and mix thoroughly to combine. Add the butter, eggs, and vanilla and beat on medium speed for one minute. Add the butter and egg mixture and beat for 20 seconds. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the hot coffee. Beat for 20-30 seconds until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin enough to pour. Divide it evenly among the lined cups. Bake 18-22 minutes just until a toothpick inserted into a few of the cupcakes comes out clean. Set the pan on a rack to cool. Frost the cupcakes when they are completely cool. Store and serve at room temperature.

TIP: For light tender cupcakes, spoon flour and cocoa lightly into measuring cups (instead of dipping the cups into the flour or cocoa) and then sweep the measures level without tapping or shaking them.

Vanilla Swiss Meringue Frosting:

1. Combine egg whites and sugar in a bowl placed over simmering water. Bring mixture to 150 degrees F while whisking constantly.
2. Transfer mixture to stand mixer bowl, fitted with a whisk attachment and beat on medium speed until mixture cools and doubles in volume.
3. Add butter in one piece at a time, mixing to incorporate after each addition. The mixture may appear clumpy and almost curdled looking-this is normal. Keep mixing and it will become even and smooth again. Add salt and vanilla and mix to combine.

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Comments

  5. We have enjoyed visiting your site and seeing all of the beautiful treats you have made. Such talent. :)

    We invite you to share this post and your other wonderful food posts at Food Frenzy. Please check out our site to learn more about our community.

  9. Well, your pictures look beautiful and amazing to me! I love the minimalistic but romantic vibe to these cupcakes. the SMB and chocolate cake sound sooooo yummy right now! craaaving :)

  12. I cought whatever you had. Will do your cupcakes for Valentine’s Day. May tint the butter cream pink.

    • Avatar for Naomi Robinson

      Naomi replied: — January 18th, 2012 @ 6:42 am

      Carole-Oh no! Get better soon. It is no fun!

  13. These are too pretty to eat! Well, almost :)

    I love buttercream frosting and don’t need to pipe it to eat it– I can go to town quite nicely straight outta the mixing bowl. ha!

  14. I’m so sorry you got sick! That’s not fun!

    And that’s a load of poop… That first shot is beautiful. Makes me wish I had such skill with piping!

  29. You really have a talent for making absolutely gorgeous baked goods. These are perfect for valentines day – also would be great for a wedding!

  30. very very pretty. i just wanted to point out that you said you used a 12 tip to make the roses, but didnt mention anything about the 104 tip…just thought i would let you know i noticed that.

    • Avatar for Naomi Robinson

      Naomi replied: — January 19th, 2012 @ 10:54 pm

      Kristine-Thank goodness you pointed that out. Tip 12 is a round tip and I didn’t use that at all. I have my tips mixed-up. It is indeed tip number 104 that I used. Thank you for letting me know. I’ve fixed it in the post. I REALLY APPRERCIATE you pointing that out.

  38. Hi Lovely! Can I ask what tip you used to get the ruffled icing? I’m trying to get something similar myself but can’t seem to do it. Is it whipping the frosting for ages? Is it a large tip or small? I’ve been trying & buying but still no luck.

  39. Made these yesterday, to great acclaim. Delicious chocolate flavour. Haven’t tried the buttercream though, didn’t have enough eggs left after the cupcakes.

  40. Could you please tell us more about the frosting technique?
    I would love to make something this pretty!

Naomi Robinson

Avatar for Naomi RobinsonWelcome to my cozy corner where baking meets random thoughts and musings. I’m a self-taught baker sharing all things sweet (and some savory—okay, and cocktails) with a whisk in one hand and a camera in the other. More about Naomi »

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