I wanted to do something different for the kid’s Valentine’s Day party.  They absolutely love those conversation hearts…you know the ones? 100 percent sugar, right?

I thought I would color the cake with food coloring, maybe in a checkerboard of red and pink…but that didn’t seem quite right….And I also thought about doing a pink, purple, and red marble cake but that didn’t sound right either.

How cool is this?  You can do it with any white cake, even a mix if you want to save time.  Just divide the batter into the number of colors that you want and bake it in thin layers.

If you want something homemade try using this Victorian Rose Pound Cake.  You may need to double the recipe if you want layer cake, but you could also easily do this in a loaf pan.

Instructions for Color Blend Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 350F and grease and flour pans, or as directed in the recipe.
2. Divide you batter into the number of colors you want.  It is unlimited, you can do a rainbow, or shades of the same color.
3. Mix paste food coloring with the batters.
4. Spread a thin layer of the first batter in the pan.
5. Bake it until set, about five to ten minutes.
6. Spread the next layer and repeat the steps until all the layers are in.
7. Complete the baking and test for doneness.
8. Allow to cool and remove from the pan as directed.
9. Frost with your favorite frosting..I used Cream Cheese Frosting.

images:marye audet

Post from: Baking Delights

Seattle Chocolates recently sent me samples of their truffles to try.

I would have some excellent close up shots of the rich chocolaty shell and the creamy truffle inside but I ate them.  Seriously.

Chocolate and I have an agreement.  The agreement is that if I eat it as fast as possible it leaves no calories.

So far I have lived up to my part of the agreement.

The Seattle Chocolates  truffles are excellent.  The truffle is somewhat firmer than I would expect but it was deliciously rich and flavorful, and the firmness of the ganache was not a bad thing…just unexpected.  The ones that I got were the following flavors:

• Espresso
• Mint
• Extreme Dark Chocolate

The espresso was my favorite with a big coffee taste that paired nicely with the chocolate.  The mint was more on the order of Girl Scout mint cookies in flavor than York peppermint patties, just to give you a frame of reference.

This was a nice, quality chocolate for a reasonable price.  The Te Amo heart pictured is 7.95 and the Terazzo heart (smaller one) is 5.85.  Either would be a great Valentine’s Day gift.

You better hurry.  Valentine’s Day is only a week or so away…of course I think they will be happy to sell chocolate all year.

images:Seattle Chocolates

Post from: Baking Delights

So, I said that this cake was special.  It was baked in 1963 when I was three years old and, officially, it is the first cake I ever decorated.

My mom did not bake very much. Hardly at all. But for some reason, that Valentines Day, she decided to go all out. Maybe I asked if we could bake a cake for my dad, I don;t know.

I remember leaning over the table and watching her pipe the frosting on. And I remember being allowed to put some frosting on as well.  I remember her laughing and taking thing picture, and it is one of the few memories I have of her being truly happy.  I sitll have the plate that that cake is on in the picture.  It has held many cakes of all sorts since…in fact you may recognize it from some of the pictures here at Baking Delights.

That cake is part of the reason I am a strong believe in allowing my kids (and grandkids) to be part of what is happenign in the kitchen.  Strong, healthy families make for a strong , healthy world. We need that.  So…my Valentine is to my children.  If you want to read my Valentine to Marc it is on Kettle and Cup

I Dedicate this to my children: Erin (25) and her husband, Jon (27) and my two grandkids, Amanda and Gabe (6 and 4)..To Chris, (23) who is serving in the Air Force,  to Matthew (15), Ethan (14), Shiloh (12), Sean(9), Nick (7), and Chef Kyrie (4).  You guys are why I cook. Literally.

 To My Children, on Valentine’s Day

Dear children I am so glad that you,

Are part of my life, ’tis true.

Each one has brought great delight

Each and every day (and not so much at night).

Eight of you makes quite a crowd,

Sometimes you are awfully loud.

You cheer me up, and rub my feet,

The last of my chocolates you often eat.

We would be wealthy with only one or two,

But Dad and I are far richer with each of you.

If success is measured in the love of family

There is no one more successful than me.

I love you guys (you too, Jon,)

Mom

Remember, if you are not reading this at Bakingdelights.com  you are reading stolen material. And, really, do you know where ELSE that website has been? Eww.

Post from: Baking Delights