Valentine's Day Cupcakes: XOXOs, Hearts, & Roses

When it came to decorating cupcakes for Valentine's Day, my brainstorming session only went so far before I just gave into what I suppose Hallmark has engraved into my head. (Isn't that right, Rah?)Let's do this, Valentine's Day Cupcakes.  White, pink, and red fondant?  Check!  Roses, hearts, and little hugs and kisses (XOXO's)? Check! Check! Check!

Valentine's Day cupcakes

Valentine's Day cupcakes

As much as I love uniformity, there is something really fun about a set of cupcakes where each one is slightly different.  It helps, of course, to carry out a shape or set of colors on each one to tie it all together.

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This little rose made out of fondant was actually pretty fun to make.  It's pretty incredible what someone like Ron Ben-Israel can do with sugar flowers.  I'm not there yet, but I plan to get in more practice with fondant and gum paste flowers.

Valentine's Day Cupcake - Fondant Red rose

Valentine's Day Cupcake - Fondant Red rose

I had fun using my new "leather stamping set" letters.  I got the alphabet set with the intention of using the letters to emboss fondant.  I really like the way these turned out and can't wait to use the lettering on other projects.

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I didn't have heart shaped cookie cutters, but I managed to cut these hearts out using square and round cutters.  Not too bad, considering.

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Now it's time to start thinking about a Valentine's Day Cake...  Oh, and the cookies!  Don't forget the cookies!