It's almost Valentines, so it's time for fun desserts! Last year's giant Valentine Heart Cake was such a hit among Pickett's Pearls readers that I decided that it would be fun to make minis!
Here's what you'll need:
1 cake mix (You can use any cake mix you want. I went with Betty Crocker Red Velvet Cake and Buttercream Frosting. Betty and I are buds.)
eggs
oil
Opt. mini chocolate chips
Frosting
Step 1. Follow the directions on your cake box.
Step 2. Fill mini pound cake tins (Any grocery has these.) and a cupcake tin with mix 2/3s of the way up. (Each heart consists of a 1/2 cupcake and 1/4 of a pound cake, so you'll want to make twice as many cupcakes as mini pound cakes.)
Step 3. Bake both cupcakes and pound cakes until a toothpick comes out clean. (Mini pound cakes will take longer.)
Step 4. When done leave in tins and put in freezer for 15 min. to make them easier to cut and to minimize crumbs.
Step 5. Run a knife around the edges of the tins and dump cakes onto a cutting board. Slice each cupcake with one horizontal cut then one vertical cut in the center. (At this point each cupcake will be in 4 pieces.) You then slice the mini pound cakes with one vertical cut in the center then one horizontal cut. (At this point each mini pound cake will also be in 4 pieces.)
Step 6. Trim the mini pound cake pieces so that they become squares then turn one of the squares so that it positions like a diamond. You then attach two of the muffin pieces to the top sides of the diamond. (See first picture above .) I promise we aren't making a Micky Mouse cake.
Step 7. Finally decorate the mini hearts however strikes your fancy. (See picture above.)
Try 'Em You'll Love 'Em!
Heart Napkin Fold
Surprise, Surprise another napkin fold. Obviously I'm obsessed! Special napkin folds just make a table look so fun and attractive! This fold has more steps than most, but the result is worth it! So let's dress up our tables for Valentines!
Step 1. Fold the top half of the napkin down to the center then fold the bottom half of the napkin up to the center.
Step 2. Bring the bottom edge of the napkin up to the top edge and smooth down.
Step 3. Fold up the right half of the napkin so that it forms a right angle.
Step 4. Fold the left half up and smooth the napkin down.
Step 5. Flip the napkin over and place your index finger half way down as shown above. You then pull the top two layers in the upper right hand corner past the horizontal line. (Repeat on right.)
Step 6. Smooth down both sides making a V at the top. Tuck both points in the little pocket and smooth down again.
Step 7. Flip the napkin over and fold under the outer top corner of each side forming two sharp points.
Step 8. Fold under each point on the very top and smooth down again, vigorously.
Step 9. You now have a darling Valentine Heart napkin!
You can also make a very cute Valentine Heart with a paper napkin!