K Bakes Valentines

Raspberry Cream Cupcakes

5 Minute Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate Doughnuts with Blood Orange Glaze

Red Velvet cupcakes in a jar

Blackberry Rosewater Sorbet

Mini Cheesecakes with Raspberry Hearts

Strawberry Cloud Cake

Raspberry and White Pancakes with Chocolate Peppermint syrup

Nigella Lawson Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Sauce

Balsamic Truffles with a wink of cherry

Since I am headed to Detroit tomorrow for work I won't be making any fun Valentine baked goods this year. I know–so tragic. Instead I thought I would do something I don't often do and write about my favorite sweetheart recipes that I have saved over the past year. I hope something tickles your fancy. You can also now follow me on Pinterest HERE to get daily inspiration for all your sweet tooth needs.

From top to bottom:

• Raspberry Cream Cupcakes - a K Bakes original
• 5 Minute Chocolate Mousse
• Chocolate Cupcakes with Blood Orange Glaze
• Red Velvet cupcakes in a jar
• Blackberry Rosewater Sorbet
• Mini Cheesecakes with Raspberry Hearts
• Strawberry Cloud Cake
• Raspberry and White Pancakes with Chocolate Peppermint syrup
• Nigella Lawson's Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Sauce - I don't think anything says Valentines day like Nigella in the kitchen!
• Balsamic Truffles with a wink of cherry

On another note, in the spirit of Valentines Day I recently read an interesting article on www.gourmetlive.com about the tradition of giving chocolate on this special day each year and I thought you all might enjoy it as well...

Our infatuation with chocolate first began 2,000 years ago when it was discovered in Latin America. The Maya and Aztec elites infused cocoa beans with water to form frothy chocolate drinks – the first frappuccinos, if you will – for special occasions and as sacrifices to the gods. The Aztec ruler Montezuma believed that chocolate was an aphrodisiac and routinely drank it before entering his harem, thus increasing chocolate’s popularity and its association with love and romance. As it turns out, he was ahead of his time. Modern-day scientists have linked the chemical phenylethylamine in chocolate to feelings of excitement, attraction and even pleasure.

The rest of Aztec society used cocoa beans as money and were unable to afford to drink it. Thus “gifting” chocolate for consumption was the Aztec version of John Cusak standing outside of your window with a boom-box. Christopher Columbus saw how the Aztecs revered cocoa when he entered the picture in the sixteenth century and immediately took the luxury product back to Queen Isabella of Spain. Chocoholics sprouted up all over Europe, sharing the legend of their new obsession’s alleged mythical powers. At one point in time, chocolate was believed to be so potent that nuns were forbidden from eating it and French doctors used it to treat “broken hearts.”

By the 1800s, the Cadbury Brothers set up shop in England and began packaging candies to sell to a mainstream audience. In 1861, in a genius marketing move, Richard Cadbury created the first ever heart-shaped box for Valentine’s Day, spurring the commercialization of the holiday. To this day, every February 14th we all still have a sweet spot for the sweet stuff.

read the full article here

Happy Valentines! xoxo-K

Raspberry Cream Cupcakes

I was inspired to create these cupcakes after seeing a similar design on Susannah Blakes "Cupcake Heaven" cookbook cover. She calls her version Victoria Cupcakes and I am sure the are as delicious as they are beautiful.

My friend Jill had an amazing idea to throw a Valentines Dessert Party, which gave me the perfect opportunity to try my spin on these amazing cupcakes!

To begin let me just say I am a strong believer in Duncan Hines Classic Yellow cake mix. I have tried the other mixes by the various competitors, I still find Duncan Hines to be the most moist and flavorful. By using their classic yellow cake mix for the base of these cupcakes you save time giving your more time to decorate them in a way that will stand out from any other cupcake in the room...and they will taste amazing!

INGREDIENTS:

Cake:

• 1 pkg Yellow Cake Mix
• 1 1/3 cups of water
• 1/3 cup of Vegetable Oil
• 3 Large Eggs

To Decorate:

• 1 Cup of Port (Tawny brand works well)
• 1 Cup of Heavy Cream
• 1 Tablespoon of Sugar
• 1/2 Teaspoon Almond Extract
• 1 Jar of Raspberry Jam
• 1 1/2 Packs of Raspberries
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Preheat the oven according to your cake package.
• Mix and bake the classic yellow cake cupcakes as directed on the back of the box. Make sure you fill the cupcake liners up high so you have enough of a top to cut off later.
• Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Using a serrated knife, carefully slice the top off each cupcake, down to the level of the paper liner.
• Sprinkle 1/4-1/2 tsp of port (depending on how much port flavor you like) into the center of each cut cupcake.
• Spread each cupcake with about 1 teaspoon of Jam, enough to have a nice layer of jam.
• Whip the cream, sugar, and almond extract until stiff peaks form. Put your beaters in the freezer earlier in the day for best results.
• Spoon the whip cream mixture on top of the jelly-covered cupcakes.
• Top each cupcake with two fresh raspberries.
• Replace the top of each cupcake and dust with confectioners' sugar.

Makes 18 cupcakes. Use whatever fun cupcake liners you like. I made mine fore a Valentines day party so I used Hearts but you can use any color depending on your mood.

If you aren't into Raspberries these could be done with really any other fruit. Blueberries or Peaches sound great also.