Introduction

These Conversation Heart Cupcakes are a playful and colorful treat perfect for sharing love and sweetness. Featuring a soft vanilla cake infused with conversation heart milk and topped with vibrant swirl buttercream frosting and fondant hearts, they bring classic candy charm to a cupcake format.

Ingredients

White Fondant
Gel icing colors (pink, orange, yellow, blue, green, violet)
Small Heart Cookie Cutter
Food writer pen
1 cup (240ml) warm milk
2/3 cup conversation hearts (white, pink, and purple recommended)
1 1/4 cups (163g) all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
6 tbsp (84g) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cups (155g) sugar
1/4 cup (58g) sour cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp (150ml) conversation heart milk
3 large egg whites, room temperature
1 1/4 cups (280g) unsalted butter, room temperature (for frosting)
5 cups (575g) powdered sugar
1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
3-4 tbsp (30-45ml) conversation heart milk (for frosting)
Salt, to taste
Gel icing colors (pink, orange, yellow, blue, green, violet) (for frosting)
5 ziplock bags
Clear wrap
Piping bag
Ateco 847 piping tip (or similar)

Instructions

Step 1: Make the fondant hearts 1-2 days ahead. Divide 6 pieces of fondant the size of golf balls. Leave one white and color the others yellow, pink, orange, purple, and green (mix green and blue for green). Roll out each color and cut with a small heart cutter. Let dry until firm, then write sayings on them with the food writer pen.
Step 2: Make the conversation heart milk. Stir warm milk and conversation hearts together in a jar until the candies dissolve, about an hour. Refrigerate until use.
Step 3: Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Line a cupcake pan with liners.
Step 4: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
Step 5: Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add sour cream and vanilla extract and combine well.
Step 6: Add half the dry ingredients, mix until combined. Slowly add conversation heart milk, then add remaining dry ingredients. Mix smoothly without overmixing, scraping bowl sides as needed.
Step 7: Whip egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form, then gently fold into batter in two additions until no streaks remain.
Step 8: Fill cupcake liners slightly more than halfway. Bake 15-17 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs.
Step 9: Cool cupcakes in the pan for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Step 10: Make the buttercream while cupcakes cool. Beat butter until smooth, add half the powdered sugar and beat well. Mix in vanilla extract and 2 tbsp conversation heart milk.
Step 11: Add remaining powdered sugar and mix smooth. Add remaining conversation heart milk and a pinch of salt, mixing until combined.
Step 12: Divide buttercream into 5 bowls and color each with a different gel icing color to match conversation hearts: yellow, pink, orange, purple, and green (green mixed from green and blue colors).
Step 13: Fill 5 ziplock bags with each color. On a piece of clear wrap, pipe thick side-by-side rows of each frosting color. Fold wrap into a log, twist ends closed, and trim one end for frosting to come out.
Step 14: Place the frosting log end into a piping bag fitted with the Ateco 847 tip. Pipe swirls onto cupcakes.
Step 15: Top each cupcake with a fondant conversation heart or a real conversation heart candy.

Tips & Variations

Make the fondant hearts and conversation heart milk ahead to save time on baking day.
Use gel colors sparingly to get vibrant frosting without altering texture.
For a fruity twist, add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the batter.
Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor.
If you don’t have a food writer pen, use edible ink markers or pipe small messages with tinted buttercream.

Storage

Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. If refrigerated, bring to room temperature before serving for best texture. The fondant hearts and frosting may dry out if left uncovered, so keep sealed well.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different candy instead of conversation hearts?

Yes, other small hard candies can be used to infuse the milk, but the flavor and color may vary. Choose candies that dissolve well and complement vanilla flavor.

How do I prevent the frosting colors from mixing too much?

Pipe distinct rows of each color onto the clear wrap and keep the frosting chilled until piping. Work gently when folding the wrap into a log to keep colors separated. Using a sharp tip like Ateco 847 helps create defined swirls.