{ Easiest Valentine's Heart Cake Ever }

Since I was a little girl, I've loved to bake and cook. I've always loved to celebrate the holidays in grand style. I know who to thank for this too. My friend Betty.

Betty Crocker.

I had these cookbooks growing up, and I'm sure my mom still has them. They were old when I was a kid,  so, I think they are from the 60's or so. I think my mom found them for me at a yard sale. I loved pouring over them, especially the Party book.

Oh, the parties I would plan in my head! Who knew I'd actually grow up and throw such parties?!

I *think* it was in one of these books I came across this heart cake. I know I've been making it since I was about 10, in any case. I loved this because I could make a Valentine's Day present for my mom and dad and I didn't need any special pans. You've probably seen this a million times before, but there may just be someone out there who hasn't. Plus, it makes me happy, so there ;)

All you need:

A round cake and a square cake.

 Here's the whole process:


Cut.

Place.

Ice.

The end!

Couple tips. Definitely level your cake first. Add a bit of frosting between the round halves and the square. Use a fluffy type icing, not a ganache. You may need to 'build' up between the halves and the square.

I like to swirl the icing because it's beautiful, rustic, and forgiving.

To add a little extra pow to it, cut out a heart from a piece of cardstock, lay on top

Sprinkle powdered sugar over

andddddd..............

Pretty! Be sure to do this step just before serving. The powdered sugar tends to disappear!

There you have it. Easy, beautiful, tasty.

And who could say no to a chocolate heart?

No one, that's who!

May your day be lovely,

Tina <3

{Strawberries & Creme Parfaits}

I have ODPD.

I'm sure I'm not the only one out there, in fact, I know Darla at Bakingdom suffers from the same affliction. Right now though, people just don't get me.

Obsessive Disney Planning Disorder. I haven't googled yet, but I feel pretty certain it's a real thing. Bean and the Hubs are making fun of me because I watched my Disney Planning DVD. Again. I may have, perhaps, even ordered the new 2014 DVD (which is probably exactly the same). I've read numerous websites, made lists, crunched numbers, downloaded an app, and started a pin board on Pinterest. That doesn't sound THAT crazy for a quickly approaching vacation you say?  Well, um, ours is not for 7 months. Hey, I'm a planner, what can I say?

Seven months is a long time, you know. I have to distract myself, or I'll go crazy. So, I made these parfaits. They are quick and easy. You'll just need a little cooling time for the pudding, but other than that, these can be made in a matter of minutes.

This is a basic, homemade vanilla pudding with crushed strawberries and whipped cream. I topped these off with Pepperidge Farm Verona Strawberry cookies and a few red sprinkles. You can find the cute heart pick at Bake It Pretty.

These were a huge hit in my house. Even hubs said they were "pretty tasty" and he's not a big pudding kind of guy.

Well, I'd love to stick around and chat, but there's much more to read on Disney. I mean, Bean and I only spent ONE day there at Magic Kingdom (post). This trip we will be going to all four parks over four days, PLUS Universal Orlando and back to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (post) including the new section of Diagon Alley! SO. MUCH. TO. PLAN.

 Between Darla and I, I feel we will have the best planned vacation ever. We can't wait!

Tina




Strawberries & Creme Parfaits
by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers

Pudding: *
2 1/2 cups milk, divided
1/2 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon butter
pinch of salt

Add 2 cups milk, sugar, and salt in a saucepan over medium high heat. In another bowl, combine cornstarch with remaining milk. Add egg yolks and whisk together well. When milk/sugar mix comes to a full boil, remove saucepan from the heat. Stir in the cornstarch mix. Pudding will start to thicken. Return to the heat and cook for 1-2 minutes.

*you can also use pudding mix (instant OR cook)

For the Strawberry Puree:
 1 cup strawberries, fresh, or frozen that have been thawed
1 tablespoon sugar

Whipped Cream:**
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

In the bowl of a standing mixer, whisk the cream and sugar together on high. When peaks start to form, stop, add the vanilla and then continue beating until stiff peaks form.

**You can also use Cool Whip for this recipe

To assemble

After pudding is totally cool, assemble in clear bowls/jars/etc.

Pudding, strawberries, whipped cream, pudding,  pipe whipped cream to top. If not serving right away, reserve the final whipped cream to just prior to eating. Top with sprinkles and a cookie, if desired.

*Pudding recipe lightly adapted from Taste of Home

{ Valentine's Day Boxes & Idea }

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I know that it's barely January, but planning ahead is a good thing.

Isn't it?

I'm not sure, as I'm not entirely familiar with this concept.

Anyway, I thought I'd pop a couple ideas on here for you.

First is this poster board that I did for my dad last Father's Day. 

It would also make a great Valentine's Day project (or birthday, or Christmas, etc).

I apologize for the photo, it was taken with my phone and yes, the only photo I took of it.

I'm riding in the failboat.

I signed his with "The Three Musketeers" because there are only three of us, but some other ideas could be:

nerds (esp good if for teacher)

airhead (good for teacher, best friend, or if you are late getting the present)

Amazin' (kids, wife, etc)

Junior Mints would work if the card is from kids

Baby Ruth (ruth covered over- if for a spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend)

There are many other candies you can use, like Hugs & Kisses, Chunky (hope this doesn't make you chunky), etc. I used ones I knew my dad would eat. 

I've seen this idea before, and you probably have too, but reminders are good. I used some candies/sayings in mine that I'd never seen before as well.

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One of the hardest things to do when the Bean was in Elementary School was to come up with a Valentine's  Box idea. Urrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhh...............

It hurt my head.

Then I'd get grumpy.

Then I'd eat chocolate.

Then I'd be better.

Then I'd remember I still had no Valentine Box idea.

Then I'd repeat this process.

So, I'm uploading a photo of all of the Bean's boxes. I tried to find the original photos and could not, and in

an attempt to not go through the process I've listed above, I'm uploading a scrapbook page containing them altogether.

I apologize that the pictures aren't huge, but you can get the idea, yes?

D'awwwwwwwwwwwwww............ wasn't he adorable?

(and he totally looks like he's pouting in the 4th grade pic, but they were playing "Heads Up 7 Up".

So, the run down goes like this:

Kindergarten- no boxes, they did bags at school

1st Grade-Cookie Train- he wanted to make a Cookie Train. Totally his idea. I had no idea where he came up with that one, and yeah, I didn't ask. Kleenex Box & a small box covered in wrapping paper, TP roll covered in foil for the smoke stack, hearts on a wire for smoke, and cookies for the wheels (sorry you can barely see the wheels).

2nd Grade- Things I Love-That was a great year. No contest, no worries! woo! Simply a box covered and stickers (I had tons because I paper scrapbooked then) of things he loved.

3rd Grade- Rocket Ship- This was an idea from my often BPIC (Baking Partner in Crime), Lori. You know, the one behind  Holy Moses Dip & Strawberry Filled Cupcakes? Back then the Bean was way into Science. Now, he is a complete and totally History Nut. Wants to major in History & be a History Professor. Anyway...Lori suggested a Rocket, and nothing else would do after that. We used posterboard, a Styrofoam cone, & Card stock (plus stickers).

4th Grade- Covered Wagon- By 4th grade the History nerdiness had started to come out. So, a Covered Wagon was thought of. This was one of those little wooden crates that you can buy at a craft store or Wally World for like $2. Then craft foam for the cover, and big gold hoops from the craft section. Not sure what they are for, sorry- Macrame, maybe? Do people still macrame?? Some pipe cleaners made the spokes in the wheels.

5th Grade- POTTER TIME- Why we'd never done a Potter box before, the world may never know, but we did one, so that's all that matters, right? Harry was made from a Styrofoam Cone & Ball, plus yarn for hair, pipe cleaners for glasses, and to create arm shape under his cloak. Cloak was black fabric, his tie was just cardstock. The broom was a wooden pencil and raffia. His cauldron a mini pail found in the craft section.

6th Grade- Digital Camera- This was another ALL BEAN idea. The base is a Capri Sun box, lens is a plastic cup, with a lid from a Pringles can, milk cap for shutter release, and the cheese corner of a nacho tray for the flash (I'm sure you could think of something else for this- or leave it off altogether), he cut up an old belt for the strap.  I actually have a photo of the back side to this one. He wanted a small photo to show what you saw through the viewfinder & the same photo large, as the what you saw on the LCD screen.

After 6th grade something magical happened.. He started Junior High! You know what doesn't happen in Jr High? Valentine's Box Contests!

None in High School either!

Praise Heaven above!

I hope this ideas might be helpful to someone out there struggling like I used to (smiling now because I no longer have to!).

Tina