HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
However, a gift or treat couldn't hurt.So if anyone needs a last minute idea for a gift or dessert .How about taking my suggestion of having a baked treat that covers both side.You can have it gift wrapped or served with dinner.Its your choice?
So now your probably wondering,What did she make? Well I actually made,these really cute strawberry heart cakes(see below) that are loosely based on a vanilla cake recipe.So if your a loyal viewer to my blog then you"ll know, I love to completely change recipes around. So I made up my own ideas to create something for Valentine's day.
I created pink strawberry heart cakes. All made from a white cake recipe, red food coloring,chopped strawberries and a heart cookie cutter. I was able to do, just that because the original recipe was so easy to follow and had basic ingredients.You can actually follow the original recipe to create a simple 9X13 inch vanilla cake or make strawberry heart cakes.Two recipes for you to try out.
Now the simplicity of the recipe may be what sells this cake.But what really catches every one's eye to these, is the appearance.Its that pastel pink color and those delicious strawberries, swirled throughout the hearts.They have both created a great design and the strawberries have given that deep red.
Now,the texture of the cake is really moist and soft.They actually reminded me a lot of sponge cake. The strawberries also give a juicy and soft aspect. However;what I'm really glad about is how moist they are.Because its such an important component in a great cake. I've eaten too many cakes in the past that were like eating sawdust and most of them were store brought mixes.So avoid the store bought and make from scratch.
Also,the flavor is of a white vanilla cake, but has a nice sweetness flavor from the strawberries.Also,I would love to make this original cake recipe again.Because it seems that this has become my favorite for vanilla cakes.
The only negative aspect to this recipe or idea is their is no way that someone can use all the cake to create heart shapes. You will end up with scrapes.Bad in sense that your limited to a certain amount of hearts, but positive because you can eat the extra cake scrapes :).
Anyways,hope everyone has a great Valentines day and try out some recipes!
Quick Valentine's Day Heart Cakes
(Adapted from Every Day Cake Vanilla)
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp table salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup margarine (melted)
2 large eggs
1 cup milk (1 %)
1/4 tsp almond extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp table salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup margarine (melted)
2 large eggs
1 cup milk (1 %)
1/4 tsp almond extract
Red food coloring
1 cup Frozen or fresh strawberries (chopped)
Chop frozen or fresh strawberries into small pieces. If frozen, carefully cut them and let thaw in a strainer. Let it sit in sink to drain until use.
In a large bowl, Add flour, baking powder, salt and sugar together.Mix well.
Add melted margarine, eggs,milk and almond extract to dry mixture.Beat with electric mixer till smooth.Lightly stir in red food coloring, until reaches pink pastel color.
Preheat oven to 350F.
Add 1/2 chopped strawberries to batter, fold in a couple times.Pour into a greased 9x13 inch cake pan. Evenly spread batter. Sprinkle the remaining strawberries on top. Swirl them into the batter, until makes a desirable look.
Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes.Will be lightly golden brown on sides and pastel pink.Toothpick test.Let cool completely.In fridge or room temp.
Cut heart shapes in cake with a heart shaped cookie cutter.Try to use as much cake as you can.Scrapes will be for eating.You can decorating each heart with icing sugar sifted on top.
1 cup Frozen or fresh strawberries (chopped)
Chop frozen or fresh strawberries into small pieces. If frozen, carefully cut them and let thaw in a strainer. Let it sit in sink to drain until use.
In a large bowl, Add flour, baking powder, salt and sugar together.Mix well.
Add melted margarine, eggs,milk and almond extract to dry mixture.Beat with electric mixer till smooth.Lightly stir in red food coloring, until reaches pink pastel color.
Preheat oven to 350F.
Add 1/2 chopped strawberries to batter, fold in a couple times.Pour into a greased 9x13 inch cake pan. Evenly spread batter. Sprinkle the remaining strawberries on top. Swirl them into the batter, until makes a desirable look.
Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes.Will be lightly golden brown on sides and pastel pink.Toothpick test.Let cool completely.In fridge or room temp.
Cut heart shapes in cake with a heart shaped cookie cutter.Try to use as much cake as you can.Scrapes will be for eating.You can decorating each heart with icing sugar sifted on top.
