{Sweet Treat}

I'm not a Valentine's day fanatic, however, I'm not one of those who thinks Valentine's day is a lame retail holiday that gives the impression there is only one day a year we celebrate the love we have for our friends and family. It's only a retail holiday if you allow it to be...embrace it this year (for those of you who think it's lame) and use it as a fun way to share the love.

To me, Valentine's day is just another way/opportunity to show how much you love those around you. Obviously loving someone is a constant, continual thing and not a once a year thing...at least that's how I role :).

Any holiday that gives me the excuse to make cupcakes, sugar cookies and any other delectable treats all month long is a good one to me.

Yesterday to kick off the month of love the girls and I made cupcakes. Dark chocolate cake (my personal favorite) with pink buttercream frosting to be exact.

While making them we talked about things and people we loved and appreciated (FHE was all about sharing some love). I'm pretty sure the reason those cupcakes tasted so good was because of all the love that went into making them.I showed my love for the girls by holding back while I watched them "frost" each little cupcake...yes, that is true love (once they covered the cakes I went back over and smoothed out the frosting as best I could...I just HAD to)!

Another sweet treat we made a few days ago was for Ella's school birthday treat (they celebrate 1/2 birthday's for those who have birthdays in the Summer). She wanted ice cream cone cupcakes. They were super easy to make and the kids loved them.I am always asked the recipe for my buttercream frosting and thought I'd share it. I can honestly make myself sick from eating large quantities of this stuff in a short period of time.

Buttercream Frosting
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature (through trial and error I have found that Land 'O Lakes or Kerrygold Pure Irish butter is the best)
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp meringue powder (optional)
1/2 salt
1 tsp vanilla (real is always better than imitation in my opinion)
food coloring (optional)
milk

*mix butter for approx. 3 minutes on high - butter will look whipped
*add salt, vanilla and meringue powder
*slowly add sugar in small portions, making sure sugar is fully incorporated before adding more
*mixture will be very thick at this point. Add about milk until you reach desired consistency. I like mine pretty thick so I add about 1 tbsp of milk. Enjoy!

How do you feel about Valentine's day? What kind of cake do you prefer for cupcakes (white, yellow, chocolate, red velvet)?