Red Hot Cupcake

     With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I was in the search for the perfect cupcake. You might be thinking, well duh red velvet screams Valentine's Day, but it was just too predictable, everyone makes red velvet for Valentine's Day. So I began thinking of red ingredients, strawberry, raspberry, licorice, and then it hit me, red hots. Cinnamon is a pretty overwhelming flavor, so both a red hot cake and frosting would be a little much, and because not everybody loves cinnamon like I do, I opted for a super-rich chocolate cake to balance out the frosting, and I am really happy with how it turned out! I don't usually use a cake mix, but I was in a rush and had to make due.

 I really wanted to decorate the cupcakes with the cute little heart chapped red hot candies but I didn't want to risk breaking any teeth.

 I found these cute little bags while browsing around the Valentine's aisle at the store, they are perfect for giving to people! 

Ingredients: 

     For the cake-

1 box of super moist Devil's Food cake mix

Egg and oil called for on box

strong brewed coffee

     For the frosting-

1 cup (two sticks) unsalted butter

4-5 cups powdered sugar

5 tbsp Red Hot syrup

     For the Red hot syrup-

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup red hots

Directions:

     Preheat the oven as box states and put liners in the pan. Mix batter with directions from the box, but substitute the water for coffee (make sure it is room temp!). The coffee really helps moisten the cake and adds the richness. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full (it should make 24). Bake in oven for about 18 minutes. To test if cupcakes are done lightly tap the cake, and if it pops right back up they are ready. Transfer out f pans to cool completely.

     For the red hot syrup, bring water to a simmer in a small saucepan. Add red hots and stir occasionally until completely melted. A gummy clump of red hots will form, but keep stirring and eventually it will break up and melt. Allow syrup to reduce for 15-30 minutes and cool.

     For the frosting, beat butter in an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, until completely mixed, it will be extremely thick and hard to mix. Add the red hot syrup and beat until well combined. Decorate as desired.