Sweet Talk

Pink cupcakes topped with candy hearts may be anti-climatic the day after Valentine's Day, but these few were left-over from a party we went to yesterday with friends from our homeschool group.  Ginger, who is nine, has taken a more serious interest in baking lately, and did most of the measuring and mixing using one of my favorite stand-by recipes; Yellow Cupcakes from THE FANNIE FARMER BAKING BOOK.  Page number 378 to be exact; a well-seasoned page to be sure, one that is rumpled and batter-spattered from years of use as (we) continue to turn to it, time and again.  Here's what the author has to say about this recipe: ***"Quickly and inexpensively made, easily put together without an electric mixer, these cakes are a good dessert for any picnic or lunch box.  They also are nice for bake sales and informal buffets.  You can whip them up for an impromptu tea (love that) and have them ready to serve, still warm from the oven, in less than 30 minutes." ***The icing recipe we used, tucked inside our book, is a tear-out from CH magazine (April 2004 issue) calling for Wilton's pastel paste food coloring.)   They topped those cupcakes with edible violets.  Love how sweet they look.  But being Valentine's day and all, we just went with the hearts.

Did you know that these conversational hearts date back to the 1860's?  Had no idea they went back that far. 

Some fun hearts you can make here and here.   These folks will make real customized hearts for you.  And there are these "Bittersweets" for sad disparaging souls.  Which are hilarious, respectively, of course.

And I'm possibly the last to know that candy heart phrases and themes change every year.  For 2007 it's "pet-inspired" with sayings such as, COOL CAT, PUPPY LOVE, TAKE A WALK, MY PET, etc.  (Apparently mine date back a ways.  Do they go bad?) I'd better read on.... there's so much more to know about them here.

Comments

[littlejennywren]

You were not the last to know.

[Zabrina]

Whoa, I never knew that about the candy hearts, either. That makes me really happy for some reason.

The cupcakes are adorable, by the way. I've been meaning on trying out Wilton's cake dyes I usually just leave the frosting that I make as plain white, but I think it's time to branch out a bit. How much of the Wilton's do you put in, though?

[Old Round]

I love recipes/cookbooks that have commentary. I'm so much more likely to bake something with a human voice behind it.

[Colleen]

I love old recipes too. My Grandma left me all of her old cookbooks, and I've even come across a recipe for squirrel! Your cupcakes are adorable, yum!

[Michelle]

I had no idea they changed theme every year. I love conversation hearts - they're a favorite. Had to share a project inspired by you...my Valentine tree. http://cozyegg.blogspot.com/2007/02/queen-of-hearts.html#comments

[susan sobon]

i so love fannie farmer! i use her recipe for banana bread. its the best i have tried i think, and its low in fat! i will have to check out the cakes section

[Linda]

What a fun post, thank you!

Where did you find pink sprinkles, I have been looking for them everywhere. *fume*

[Maggie]

I love the picture of the cupcakes in the cake plate holder...can't think what its called and I have one too. Ahhh, the stuff all girls love...sweet, pretty and pink!