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Hello everyone! Welcome to Batch of Secrets! Today we have some secrets for you. You’re going to be given some super awesome Valentines recipes and the inside scoop on what NSAers love about Valentine’s Day! So let’s get this show on the road and introduce our first recipe, sentin by Philip Cressey.

 

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DEBBIE’S CARROT CAKE
Supplies and Ingredients 1 ½ cups plain flour 1 cup sugar (brown) 2/3 cup oil 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1 cup grated carrot ½ cup crushed pineapple with juice 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 2 eggs	After you have gathered all the ingredients, follow these simple steps to perfection!   1- Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. 2- Place into a 7 inch lined baking tin (loose bottomed preferably) – not a sandwich tin, but higher.The mixture is quite sloppy. 3- Put into 180 degree C oven (or 20 degrees C less if fan assisted).  4- Test after 45 mins – keep testing every 8 mins thereafter.
Now, the finishing: icing!! You can also add red food coloring if you wish to add an extra “Valentines” touch.   Icing: ½ tablespoon butter – must be soft ½ punnet (100g) full fat cream cheese (not half fat – does not work) 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 2-3 cups icing sugar – keep adding till it is right Pecan nuts – if you like   Cream butter and cheese (both need to be room temperature otherwise there are lumps of butter in the cheese-yuck!) Add essence and icing sugar until you get the right mixture. The icing may well be sloppy at first before it acquires the right texture. Keep adding and testing till it is just right.   Now all you have to do is add the icing to the cake, and serve! A smile is guaranteed from every person you serve this to. Come on guys! Share a little carrot cake love!

 

Philip isn’t the only one getting in the Valentines mood! Mary Ellsworth also sent in a fantastic recipe that she calls “Heart cake.” 

 

Heart cake 

 

You will need:

 

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

  1/2 teaspoon salt

  2/3 cup butter or margarine

1 3/4 cups sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

  2 eggs

1 1/4 cups milk

Red food dye (optional)

 

Next, follow these simple steps:

 

1. Grease and lightly flour two 8x1 1/2-inch or 9x1 1/2 inch round baking pans (if you have heart shaped pans you could substitute those for the round pans). Set pans aside. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

 

2. In a large mixing bowl beat butter or margarine with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating 1 minute after each. Add dry mixture and milk alternately to beaten mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just till combined. (the red food dye is optional) add a couple drops of red food dye until the batter is pink. Pour batter into the prepared pan(s).

 

3. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes or till a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Cool layer cakes in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans. Cool thoroughly on racks. (If you have a round cake you can cut into a heart shape after it cools). Frost with desired frosting.

 

Now she did say you could put whatever frosting you wanted, but she has also included an awesome “from scratch” cream cheese frosting. Try it out!

Frosting

(Cream cheese frosting is my favorite to make from scratch so here it is.)

 

1. Beat together two 3-ounce packages of cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened; and 2 teaspoons vanilla till light and fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, beating well. Gradually beat in 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 cups additional sifted powdered sugar to reach spreading consistency. 

(optional) you can divide the frosting into three parts one make red (with the red food dye) the second make pink (again with the red food dye) and the third leave white. This way you can make Valentine designs on your cake.

 

We were only able to try out one of the two recipes we received because of the time crunch. So, Mary Bellamy made the “Heart Cake” recipe sent in by Mary Ellsworth. Let’s take a look at Mary’s cake!

Mary’s comment on this piece was:

This cake was insanely yummy, and smelled so good. It was also really easy to cook, so I'd recommend it to anyone! J

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Now for the real secrets! What do people love most about Valentine’s Day? Guys, gals, here’s your big chance to find out NSAers love most!!   Philip Cressey said: “The school dance.” Mary Ellsworth said: “What I love most about Valentine’s Day is that my family exchanges cards and we get candy. XD Sometimes my dad will take us out to a restaurant. (That’s a big thing for our family because we don't eat out very often.) I think that's about it.” Hannah Maust said: “The candy.” Hannah Clucas said: “Well, the awesome shrimp meal we have. lol jk (well I do think it’s delicious!) I think it’s great how everyone feels loved. My dad gave me my first rose last year, and that made me feel very special.” Amy Coutant said: “What I love most about Valentine’s Day is looking forward to the little presents that my parents give my sisters and me. :D”