Conversation Cupcakes

SUBMITTED BY: Taste of Home Test Kitchen

"It's a snap to spell out sweet sentiments on these quaint cupcakes when you bake a batch ahead of time using convenient cake mix. You don't even need a heart-shaped muffin tin to make them. -Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin"

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PREP TIME	45 Min
COOK TIME	20 Min
READY IN	1 Hr 5 Min

SERVINGS

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Servings
USMETRIC

INGREDIENTS

1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon butter flavoring (optional)
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 drop red food coloring (optional)
2 drops yellow food coloring (optional)
1 drop blue food coloring (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Place paper or foil liners in a heart-shaped or standard muffin tin. Fill cups half full of batter. (If using a standard tin, see the tip below left to cream heart-shaped cupcakes.) Bake according to package directions for cupcakes. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting, cream butter and shortening in a small mixing bowl. Add vanilla and butter flavoring if desired. Add sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in milk until light and fluffy. Divide frosting into fourths; place in flour separate bowls. Leave one bowl untinted. Add food coloring to the other three bowls; stir until well blended. Frost cupcakes. Pipe untinted frosting around edges and decorate tops with Valentine phrases.