Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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2 teaspoons baking powder
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½ teaspoon kosher salt
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½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
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½ cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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¾ cup milk
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Dye-free red food coloring or pink powder (see notes for natural option)
For the Frosting
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1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
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3 cups powdered sugar
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1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
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3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
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Dye-free red food coloring or pink powder
Instructions
Make the Cupcakes
Step 1:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line or grease a standard muffin tin.
Step 2:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 3:
In a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Step 4:
Add eggs and mix until combined. Stir in vanilla, milk, and dye-free food coloring.
Step 5:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
Step 6:
Fill muffin cups about ⅔ full. Bake for 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
For mini cupcakes, bake about 15 minutes.
Step 7:
Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
Make the Frosting
In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, beat butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until combined.
Add heavy cream (or milk) and whip until thick, fluffy, and creamy. Add dye-free coloring until your desired pink shade is reached.
Frost cooled cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles if desired.
Natural Raspberry Juice Option
If you prefer to skip food coloring entirely:
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Cupcakes: Replace the food coloring with ½ cup raspberry juice and reduce milk to ½ cup instead of ¾ cup.
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Frosting: Substitute the food coloring with 4 tablespoons raspberry juice.
Notes
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Butter and eggs should be at room temperature for best texture and even mixing.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing can make cupcakes dense instead of light and fluffy.
- Cool Before Frosting: Warm cupcakes will melt your buttercream.
- Dye-Free Color Tip: Natural food coloring is softer in tone than artificial dyes. You may need slightly more to achieve your desired pink, and color may mellow slightly during baking.
- Decorating Idea: Add dye-free sprinkles, fresh raspberries, or even a small strawberry heart on top for extra Valentine’s charm.
