I pass a florist near my home every day, to and back from anywhere I travel. I look at the pretty flowers, wishing in my mind I could touch them. I so love colours and my eyes survey the bouquets that have amazing arrangements and beautiful contrasts. I look at the happy people buying flowers, wondering where/or with whom those flowers would end up. I think people who buy flowers are happiest kind of people. Then, I walk away.
Today was different I stopped and bought flowers. For myself. And I feel happy just looking at them. I am one of those people who believe that as much as it is nice to show your love for those who matter, it is equally important to love yourself. Not in an narcissistic sort of way, but looking for those little things that make you who you are are celebrating them. Once in a while doing things that make you and only you happy and making that ‘ride’ called life worth all the roller-coaster action. Taking a teeny bit of time off the daily grind just for yourself to look back at those things that always made you giggle. Or even a quick chat with a bestie to relive some of the best memories you have together. Reading a new book, buying yourself a new dress, picking up flowers, eating chocolate or just baking a cake. In the fast paced, ever-so-demanding environment that we live in, this is hard. But not impossible. I can vouch for that.
This last one week, has been such a whirlwind of activities. I was anxious about the boys starting school while also thinking how I could utilize all the time. Time? Where is time? What was I even thinking? What about the drop-offs, pick-ups, lunchboxes, uniforms…blah blah blah? I don’t mean to complain but this week has been quite hard on us. I don’t know whether two of them going together makes it harder or easier. I will cope. Or else I will buy more flowers. And I will make cakes. Cakes are the best. They make everyone happy…the baker and the people around. Valentine’s day is not far and I have quite a few treats in mind.
This is a simple layer cake that comes together without much effort. To make time for love, you need to keep things simple, right? So, this is about making a simple batter and baking it in two pans for the layers. Whip up some fresh cream…add some fresh raspberries (or strawberries) and a dusting of icing sugar. That’s all! The cake is really light, moist and sponge-like so you need to be a bit careful with the layers..they start to break if not handled carefully. Please do remember to grease the pans well as the layers tend to stick to the sides of pan. Biting into the cake, is sheer pleasure as it just melts in your mouth.
Now tell me dear friends, do you sometimes do things for yourself? If so, what is the best thing you ever did?
Red Velvet Cake with Raspberries And Cream
Serves 6-8
180 g butter, softened
1 1/2 cups castor sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups self-raising flour
2 tablespoons cocoa powder (try to use regular cocoa, not dutch processed)
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/4 cup red liquid food coloring
400 ml heavy/whipping cream, whipped to stiff peaks with 1/3 cup castor sugar and stored in the refrigerator till needed
Fresh raspberries (or strawberries), to decorate
Icing sugar, to dust
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C ( 160 degrees C for fan-forced). Grease and line the bases of two 18 cm round cake pans with baking paper.
Use an electric mixer to beat the butter, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl until pale and creamy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the flour, cocoa powder and buttermilk, in batches, until well combined. Add the vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and food colouring and stir to combine.
Divide the mixture evenly among the prepared pans. Use the back of a spoon to smooth the surface. Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cakes comes out clean. Remove from oven. Set aside for 5 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely
Place one of the cakes on a serving platter/cake stand. Spread half the whipped cream mixture over the top. Sprinkle with half the raspberries. Sandwich with remaining cake. Spread with remaining cream mixture. Decorate with remaining raspberries. Dust with icing sugar.
Looks terrific! Such a great Valentine’s day dessert, with the colors and all 🙂
Thanks June! The Red Velvet is so apt for Feb:-)
that cake looks beautiful!
Thank you:-)
Cakes and flowers make everyone happy for sure, including me! 🙂 What a gorgeous red velvet cake, Sonali! I could not show it to my youngest because she would begged me to make one for her. She is crazy for red velvet cake!
Your daughter has great taste Denise! Yes, cake and flowers speak louder than words for me:-)
Beautiful cake! And just as beautiful pictures. Pinned!
Oh…thank you Oana! So glad you liked the cake:-)
I go and have a coffee at my favourite coffee place, by myself and do some blog reading or some menu work. It’s one of my secret joys, to go alone and enjoy a cuppa! Before I used to be conscious of being alone, now I don’t give a hoot! I almost enjoy it too much 🙂 I’m not really alone..the coffee guys know me!
I also love flowers and will buy myself some, especially daffodils when spring rolls around. It’s important to treat yourself, I’m really not into manicures and such so my favourites are coffee, food places and flowers (and chocolate, of course)
This cake is stunning! Love raspberries!!
Thanks Nazneen! That is such a lovely way of treating yourself. Keep happy, my friend:-)
How nice that you stopped and bought flowers for yourself. We need to treat ourselves to simple pleasures like this now and again. This is a gorgeous cake. . .like a work of art. And now that I know not only is it beautiful but it also melts in the mouth, I simply must make it.
Thank you Lynn! You are awesome..such a sweet comment! I hope you try it:-)
What BEAUTIFUL, stunning photographs! One of those cakes that’s too pretty to eat, but this sound amazing!
Awww…you are too sweet! I am glad you liked it Erin:-)
You always have the prettiest cakes…and this one is not an exception…like the red velvet with cream and yest fresh raspberries are just perfect with it.
Hope you are enjoying your week Sonali 🙂
So happy to hear from you Juliana! I am having a hectic though great week…thanks to people like you who make my day:-)
Your pictures are stunning! So beautiful 🙂 I don’t get to do much for myself. I have two little kids and 1 big kid (husband) so sometimes there isn’t much time for myself. I remember the last time I did something for myself was get a massage at the spa. That hour was the perfect get away. 🙂
I know what you mean Kathleen. Great that you found a little get away. Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet words:-)
Walking the dog, making cakes, cooking, taking photos, calling parents and dear friends… that is my way to cope with routine.
This cake looks so yummy, why waiting the Valentine’s Day? Can you recommend some liquid food coloring?
I saw the article on Yahoo food and I’m so happy! 🙂
Have a nice day!
Yaaay! Lovely to hear from you again and thank you for looking up the feature on Yahoo Food. Wow…you have so many wonderful things keeping you busy! I used a brand called Queen, not sure if the same is available where you are. I actually prefer to use gel colors but for some reason it has not worked for me for a red velvet cake. So I tried liquid colour and when I was happy with the colour of the batter, I decided to go with this. It’s a lot of colour but you need that much to get that bright red. Hope this helps:-)
Thank you
Don’t know where my name is.
Mare2806, your Instagram friend.
I used to buy flowers for myself every week and it made me so happy. But I kind of got out of the habit. I don’t know why. So thank you for reminding me. It’s such a wonderful way to treat yourself a little. And this cake. I can’t even. It’s simply gorgeous. XO
I agree with you on so many levels, Sonali. Cakes do make so many people happy – cakes forever! : ) All the better if cakes look like yours. I am happy just coming here and seeing your creations.
And I also agree it’s important to take time for yourself and to treat yourself well. There is room for all of that. For me, I love breakfast time and sitting down to a good meal I made myself with a good book. : )
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post, it was so much from the heart.
I have to first write about your beautiful cake, it is a stunner. I personally believe cake bakers and decorators are the most artist of all. You my dear create art.
It’s so hard to prioritize yourself, but I try hard. I love to get my workouts in, so that’s my thing and ofcourse a mani pedi here and there;). Flowers are the best.
I completely understand how you feel about the kids off to school. It is crazy in the mornings and evening, but you get the hang of it. I am dreading the day my teen goes off to college. Oh well, let’s not go there. You will do great my friend.
xoxo
Yum, raspberries with a red velvet is so perfect and gorgeous. It is very good to by flowers for one’s self. And I can see the florist influence now with your creations and what you see in the window display lol.
Just discovered your blog today!! absolutely stunning ….look forward to seeing much more from you!! xx
This is one of your most beautiful creations yet, why are your photos not in a magazine shoot already? In love with the stunning cake, it is Valentines in edible form 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
What a gorgeous cake! I’m digging the colour red and raspberries 😀
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