Name: Cupid’s Bow Cupcakes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 12 cupcakes
Cuisine: American

Cake Mix Recipes Verified

February 9, 2026

Valentine Cupcakes do not have to be hard or time consuming. If you are looking to make a special treat for your loved ones or for your child’s class, these cupcakes start with box cake mix, so they take no time at all. Simply bake and decorate. Cupid’s Bow cupcakes are a loving way to create something special for your Valentine.

From the Cook

1/7

Cupid’s Bow Cupcakes

Cake Mix Recipes Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 5 other allergens identified

Instructions

This recipe also lives on Cake Mix Recipes.Show them some love by checking it out! 😊

Check out original post! 😊

Original PostView

Instructions

Mix cake batter according to box’s directions. Add gel food coloring and mix until batter is completely tinted.

Scoop into a muffin tin, lined with paper liners and bake according to the package’s directions.

Allow to cool completely before baking.

While the cupcakes cool, prepare the buttercream: in a large bowl, beat together butter, confectioners’ sugar and milk with an electric mixer. Start on low and gradually increase to high.

Once the ingredients are well-combined and form semi-stiff peaks, scoop into a piping bag with Wilton tip #21 attached.

Frost each cupcake.

Line a pan with wax paper. Knead rolling fondant until smooth.

Roll 24 fondant spheres, about one inch in size each.

To create a heart, press the bottom two fondant spheres together, pointing it at the end. Repeat to create 12 fondant hearts and set aside on half of the wax-paper-lined pan.

Line up 12 pretzel sticks on lined pan. In a small bowl, microwave pink candy melts in 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval.

Pour melted candy into a piping bag and cut out a small tip at the end.

Frost out 2 V-shapes on each pretzel stick. Allow to set, about 20 minutes.

Insert one pretzel stick into each cupcake, followed by the fondant heart.

Serve and enjoy!

Smart Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

0
Review & Earn

Be the first to review this recipe and earn a 20% Bonus

Level up & unlock free Premium by reviewing recipes!

My Notes

Your kitchen notebook is waiting.

Whether it's a recipe tweak or an inspiration burst — jot it down here.

Tips & Tricks (5)

Fondant Color Perfection 🎨
When rolling out red fondant for Cupid's Bow decorations, use a small amount of cornstarch to prevent sticking and ensure a smooth, even surface.
Buttercream Brilliance 💕
For the most vibrant pink frosting, use gel food coloring instead of liquid, as it provides more intense color without watering down the buttercream consistency.
Pretzel Bow Stability 🏹
Slightly warm the pretzel sticks before shaping to prevent breakage, and use melted candy melts as 'glue' to hold the bow shape securely.
Box Mix Elevation Trick 🍰
Replace water with milk in the box cake mix to create a richer, more tender cupcake with enhanced flavor and moisture.
Decoration Precision 🎀
Chill the fondant and candy melts briefly before cutting or shaping to ensure clean, crisp edges for your Cupid's Bow decoration.