Inspired by February traditions, Carmel City Lifestyle searched for cordate items. One find is an impressive masterpiece truly baked with love.
Becky Diamond, author of the new The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook, kindly shares her recipe for the perfect, heart-shaped cake for Valentine's Day. Intermingled in her cookbook are colorful stories regarding how special occasions were celebrated during the Gilded Age. The cookbook can be purchased at BeckyLDiamond.com/The-Gilded-Age-Christmas-Cookbook.
GOLDEN CAKE
This delectable appeared during the mid-nineteenth century as a more cake-like version of plum pudding, omitting alcohol as an ingredient to be more suitable for family gatherings. By the Gilded Age, most versions of it featured lemon as a flavoring; some also included dried fruit, nuts and/or anise seed. Some bakers recommended making small cakes to decorate inidividually with fanciful designs.
INGREDIENTS, SERVES 12:
- 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup dried currants
- 1/4 cup diced candied citron
- 1 cup milk
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease/flour 9- to 10-inch Bundt pan (or two 6-inch ones).
Cream butter and sugar in bowl until pale yellow color, about 1–2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, continue beating until well mixed; add lemon extract. Sift flour with cinnamon, nutmeg and baking powder in separate bowl; stir in dried fruit. Gradually add to butter/sugar/egg mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until thoroughly combined.
Pour batter into bundt pan(s). Place on oven’s center rack; bake for 50–60 minutes for full-sized pan or 35–40 minutes for two smaller ones, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Place pan on wire rack to cool 10–20 minutes, then place another wire rack over base of cake and invert pan to release it. Run knife along pan edges or tap sides if necessary.
Note: Diced candied citron can be found in grocery store baking sections or online. Nordic Ware floral heart bundt pan, fancy cakelette pans and Nordic Ware wildflower loaf pan can be purchased in Carmel at Sur la Table, 14400 Clay Terrace Blvd., Ste. 100.
When Golden Cake is cool, drizzle with this glaze.
LEMON VANILLA GLAZE FOR GOLDEN CAKE
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Place all ingredients in small bowl and mix with wire whisk until combined. Drizzle on cake with a spoon. For extra punch, use a toothpick or wooden skewer to poke several holes in cake top before applying glaze to infuse cake with moisture and sweetness.
This cake is best served the day it's made. Refrigerate any leftover cake and heat in microwave for 30–60 seconds before serving, if desired.
ADDITIONAL HEART-SHAPED IDEAS
The Fresh Market:
A sweetheart ribeye aged for at least two weeks, heart-shaped crab cakes, as well as a sushi platter in a heart container, are available through Feb. 14 in Carmel at 5415 N. College Ave. and 2490 E. 146th St. The market's butchers handcut and butterfly the ribeyes into the shape of a heart.
Promotions Plus Embroidery Inc.:
Soft, micro-denier polyester knit red blankets with white hearts stitched into the corner can be purchased for $30 each from the customizing team of this specialties company at 303 W. Carmel Drive. Owner Paula Koester says the blanket is a handy size of 54 by 60 inches, and was created especially for loving, comforting gifts.
Honey, One-Of-A-Kind Jewelry:
The permanent jewelry store located in the Carmel City Center on the Plaza level, Ste. 222, offers this new scarf and heart charm pairing. Or, Honey owner Anna Fehribach says customers can choose from thousands of different charms, beads, pearls and gemstones.
Charcuterie Boards:
Get adventurous and create a charcuterie arrangement that's Cupid-approved but too pretty to really eat! Combine cheeses and meats with accompaniments, or accents, such as salted or candied nuts; strawberries; chili-marinated green olives; raspberries; juicy dried cranberries; cake bites; pitted Turkish dates; apricots; dried tangerines or mango slices; candy hearts; fig and orange marmalade; chocolate bark; sun-dried tomatoes; pepperoncini; sugar snap peas; 'X' & 'O' pretzels; blackberries; and flavored crackers. Obviously, one idea is to focus on red, pink and white colored foods and themes, using cookie cutters and creative folding to add festive flair.
Trinkets From Silver In The City Carmel Gift Shop:
An online check of heart-shaped offerings from these purveyors of jewelry, housewares and whatnots at 111 W. Main St., Ste. 150, yields lots of theme choices, including a silver open heart ring; gold heart garland necklace; Big Heart Tea Company sachets; heart stud earrings; Indiana heart magnets; Over The Moon sweetheart bath bombs; pearl heart earrings; heart sticker mini-notes; an anatomical heart ring; candy hearts glass candle; heart shot glass; hand heart T-shirts; touchscreen gloves with hearts; a diamond-dusted heart necklace; and Valentine's Day cards.
Healthy Gestures:
A recent Caravan survey found 84% of Americans say heart-shaped foods are a fun and beneficial way to show love on Valentine’s Day. For younger gift recipients, or big kids at heart, look for Tyson’s Nuggets of Love, as heart-shaped pieces of chicken available at many grocery stores.
Heart-shaped foods also protect one's physical heart. Nutritionists indicate being red colored and heart-shaped can be a tip to foods that are good for the heart because they're great sources of antioxidants. These compounds also act like shields, neutralizing free radicals that otherwise damage the body and cause heart disease and cancer. Examples of especially heart healthy fruits and vegetables include strawberries, raspberries, cherries, tomatoes, red peppers, acorn squash and apples.