Valentine's Day Cupcakes

I love to cook. I guess that can be a good and a bad thing. I also love to make things for Jeremy that he loves. Not just on Valentine's Day but any time I get the opportunity. So last night I made him cupcakes and tonight I will be making his favorite dinner. :)

Valentine Cupcakes

FOR THE CUPCAKES:
2 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (2 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed dark-brown sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1. Make cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 28 cups of standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.

2. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy. Add brown sugar, and beat until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until well incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Mix in sour cream. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk, and mixing until just combined after each.

3. Divide batter evenly among prepared cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until tops are firm to the touch and a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes. Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature, or frozen up to 2 months, in airtight containers.

Buttercream Frosting:

4 sticks (1 pound) unsalted butter, softened ......yes, 4 STICKS!!!
6 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch of salt

Few drops of red food coloring

Directions:
Put butter in bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on medium-high speed until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to medium; add sugar 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well, about 5 minutes total. Add food coloring, vanilla, and salt. Raise speed to medium-high; beat until smooth, about 1 minute more.

Happy Valentine's Day Jeremy. I hope you know that you are loved not only today but everyday ;)