Happy Valentines Day!

Small Army., originally uploaded by razzieswirl.

I wanted to wish everyone a simply divine Valentines Day.
About a week ago I made a gaggle of red velvet cupcakes with vanilla bean cream cheese for a friend of ours in Seattle. We drove down to pick Thomas' sister up at SeaTac. She spent most of January and part of February traveling around India with her high school. So, since we had to drive down to pick her up, I wanted to put a little smile on someones face I love dearly, but don't see too often. She's a lover of Holidays, like myself, and I knew she'd appreciate these little red lovelies. I also brought her a bag of Amelie tea (a rosey black tea that's absolutely amazing). I thought the two together would make a wonderful pair.

I love red velvet, I don't know if it's so much the flavor, as it is the color. Each cupcake sat in a fun polka dot red or pink paper, when you peel the paper off and take a bite and it reveals itself to be an amazing vibrant red, this makes my heart beats just a little bit faster. . . I topped each cupcake with a generous swirl of thick vanilla bean cream cheese frosting, two pear dragees and one silver. I placed them in a fun pink cupcake box with a window, I pasted a vintage image from a costume book of a very Audrey Hepburn-esque illustration (for more pictures of this click the link below the picture). The whole thing was achingly adorable, pink, red, and oh-so valentines appropriate.

I always use Magnolias recipe for Red Velvet, I'm not sure it's the greatest, and to be honest, I'm too lazy to look for another. I tried quite a few before I stuck with Magnolias recipe, and since I generally only make them once or twice a year, I'm not extremely eager to find another recipe. Also, I think the cupcake liners you use really make a difference. Though, I couldn't tell you why exactly. I've found the normal grocery store bought kind hold moisture better than some specialty papers like the ones I used. Maybe it's just my imagination, but I swear different papers cook the cupcakes differently. Since I've seen the recipe on other food blogs I'll go ahead and post it so you don't have to search around for it. . . of course instead of following the regular cake directions, place batter in liners. You'll get about 24 cupcakes:

Recipe:

Magnolia Bakery Red Velvet Cake Recipe

Ingredients:
3 ⅓ cups cake flour (not self-rising)
¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 ¼ cups sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
6 tablespoons red food coloring
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 ½ cups buttermilk
1 ½ teaspoons cider vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
 
Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
 
Grease and lightly flour three 9 x 2-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with waxed paper.
 
To make the cake: In a small bowl, sift the cake flour and set aside. In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
 
In a small bowl, whisk together the red food coloring, cocoa, and vanilla. Add to the batter and beat well.
 
In a measuring cup, stir the salt into the buttermilk. Add to the batter in three parts, alternating with the flour. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated, but do not overheat.
 
In a small bowl, stir together the cider vinegar and baking soda. Add to the batter and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl, making sure the ingredients are well blended and the batter is smooth.
 
Divide the batter among the prepared pans. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the layers cool in the pans for 1 hour. Remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
 
When the cake has cooled, spread the frosting between the layers, then the ice top and sides of the cake with frosting.
 

Recipe:

Thick Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

8 ounces Philly cream cheese
1/2 stick butter, soft (room temp)
4 cups sifted powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla with vanilla beans in them or
1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 small vanilla bean scrapped

Directions:

Beat butter with a mixer until light and creamy.

Scrape the bowl, add the cream cheese and beat until combined.

Add the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla (and bean) and beat until smooth.


I want to wish a very special Valentines day to a few of my favorite people out there I love dearly, who I know take time out of their busy schedules to check the blog:

A Very Happy Valentines Day to:

Miss Katie Cathersal : You truly are one of my most cherished friends, no, family. My life just isn't the same without you in it and I love you dearly!

Miss Kelli Bolling: You know exactly how much I adore you my sweet little cupcake. You always put a smile on my face, and you make my heart oh-so happy! You and Nick are both loves of my life and I hope you're having a romantical amazing day together!



The Asher Collective: Asher is truly like an older brother to me. Growing up I never wanted siblings, until I started to get a little older, and I found myself a little jealous of my girlfriends that had older brothers. They were always protected (and teased respectively) by them, and I began to wish I had one of my own. Well, now I do! You've brought many other lovely people into my life (*ahem* Lauren) and I know you've always guided people to my food blog (a special thank you to Ashers mother who I believe reads this from time to time and has sent many a lovely blog compliments my way). For as crazy as you can drive me Asher, I love you unconditionally!

To All of my Regular Readers: I know there are probably only a few of you out there, but your support and kind comments keep me inspired!

And lastly, to my mother: Hands down, above all others, the most important person in my world. I love you more than life itself. You've given me the inspiration and strength to be the person I am. You're the best mother that has ever been, and will ever be. You're an amazing woman and you provide me with an unimaginable amount of love, support, strength and encouragement. You are truly amazing!

I hope everyone has a magnificent and relaxing day. It's little Holidays like this that are not for couples alone. I think Valentines day can serve to remind us of all the loved ones we have and the blessings they bring into our lives.