Love, Art, and Little Debbie Cakes
Fine Art Friday #45
When I think about Valentine’s Day, I don’t think about fancy chocolates or overpriced roses. Nope. My heart belongs to one thing and one thing only—Little Debbie’s Valentine’s Cakes.
I know I bring this up every year around Valentine’s Day, and it’s only because I’d really like a Valentine’s Day cake right now.
You know the ones. Soft, slightly too-sweet vanilla cake, that perfectly artificial pink icing, the way the sprinkles crunch just so when you take a bite. Absolute perfection. Every year, as soon as they hit the shelves, I grab a box (or two) because nothing says true love like a childhood favorite that still tastes just as magical as it did when I was seven.
It’s funny, isn’t it? How something so small—so simple—can hold so much nostalgia? That’s the magic of tiny traditions. The way they turn the ordinary into something worth celebrating.
Which is probably why I love painting love stories so much. Whether it’s a wedding day, a first dance, or a quiet moment between two people who just get each other, it’s the little things that make it special. A glance. A gesture. A pink-frosted cake shared between two people who would rather have that than the fanciest dessert in the world.
Grab yourself some flowers today — you deserve it.
Art Tip of the Week:
Invest in what actually matters. Listen, I know Little Debbie’s cakes aren’t a health food. But if I have to pick between a fancy box of chocolates I didn’t ask for and the nostalgic, heart-shaped treat I actually love? I’m choosing the cake every time.
The same goes for art. There will always be trends, cheap knockoffs, and quick fixes. But at the end of the day, what’s worth investing in? The real thing. The pieces that hold meaning. The work that carries a story.
So tell me, what’s your go-to Valentine’s Day treat? And if you say “chocolate-covered strawberries,” I guess I’ll allow it. 😉
Happy Valentine’s Day, friend.
PS — if you want my recipe for making NOT *so unhealthy* versions of valentine’s day cakes? I got you.
Here’s the recipe I found on Instagram:
OMG YOU GOTTA READ THIS ONE:
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Because I forgot to add this into the post: from anabelle.vangiller
Christmas Tree Cakes (and use heart cutouts instead for Valentines)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line w 12x16 sheet pan with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl combine 1 and 1/4 cups of all purpose flour, 1/2 tsp of baking soda, 3/4 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 3/4 cups sugar, 1 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, two eggs, 1/3 cup+1tbsp milk. Spread batter out evenly on pan and bake for 13-15 minutes.
Let completely cool before cutting out the tree shapes. For the filling: Combine 1 cup marshmallow fluff, 4tbsp unsalted melted butter, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla, & 1-2 top of milk. Add filling between two Christmas tree cakes. Place them in freezer for 30 minutes before adding white chocolate coating. For white chocolate coating: Using the double boiler method, melt together 1 bag white chips & 2-3 tosp coconut oil until smooth. Spoon the mixture over the cakes and add sprinkles before it hardens.
And that's it!