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Valentine’s Day chocolate love bug cupcakes with chocolate frosting, candy eyes, red heart wings, and festive sprinkles on a white cake stand.

Valentine's Day Love Bug Cupcakes

Colleen
These Valentine’s Day Love Bug Cupcakes are moist homemade chocolate cupcakes topped with creamy frosting and adorable lovebug decorations. Perfect for Valentine’s Day parties, classroom treats, and festive baking fun.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 425 kcal

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Cupcakes

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup hot coffee or hot water

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ⅓ cup cocoa powder
  • 2-3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Decorations

  • Red frosting or decorating gel
  • Candy eyes
  • Heart sprinkles
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Pretzel sticks or black licorice for antennae
  • Valentine sprinkles

Instructions
 

Make the Chocolate Cupcakes

  • Preheat oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  • Add the egg, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
  • Slowly stir in the hot coffee or hot water until the batter is smooth.
  • Fill cupcake liners about ⅔ full.
  • Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Let cupcakes cool completely before decorating.

Make the Chocolate Buttercream

  • Beat softened butter until creamy.
  • Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
  • Add vanilla and cream until frosting reaches a fluffy consistency.
  • Pipe or spread frosting onto cooled cupcakes.

Decorate the Love Bug Cupcakes

  • Use red frosting to create “wings” on each cupcake.
  • Add candy eyes toward the front of the cupcake.
  • Use pretzel sticks or black licorice pieces for antennae.
  • Decorate with heart sprinkles and Valentine candies for extra fun.

Nutrition

Calories: 425 kcal | Carbohydrates: 54 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 24 g | Saturated Fat: 12 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 58 mg | Sodium: 137 mg | Potassium: 117 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 43 g | Vitamin A: 546 IU | Vitamin C: 0.02 mg | Calcium: 38 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition information has been calculated using an autogenerating online calculation and is intended for informational purposes. For accurate nutritional information, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used.

Keyword Chocolate cupcakes, Cute cupcake ideas, Love bug cupcakes, Valentine desserts, Valentine’s Day cupcakes
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