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LIFESTYLEA cake a week (self.RedPillWomen)

submitted by KittenLoves_Endorsed Contributor

This January, my boyfriend and I made a list: half resolutions, half a to-do list for the year. One of my contributions was to bake a different cake each week, something I decided on after my boyfriend told me that he felt loved and cared for whenever I baked for him. He has a huge sweet tooth, and there are always cookies, sugary cereals, jams, you name it, hanging around the house. I've never been a huge fan of baking before, partly because I have the opposite of a sweet tooth and can never really appreciate my creations, but the sense of appreciation I get from my boyfriend whenever I bake for him has completely changed my opinion.

I started this weekly cake endeavour last week, once we had finally finished all the holiday treats, with an apple cake using the last few apples from his grandmother's tree. Today is cake #2, pineapple upside down cake, at his request. (And if anyone has great tips for this kind of cake, as I've never made it before, feel free to share!)

Do any of you have similar stories or routines to do with food? My boyfriend and I both love food, so it's a pretty major way we express love for each other. (For example, one of the other items on our list is to try out a new restaurant each month.) I'd love to hear other cooking/baking stories! Also ... with 48 more cakes to go, any suggestions would be great. (We don't have a baking sheet or muffin tin yet, but once those have been purchased I can mix things up with non-cake desserts.)


[–][deleted] 16 points17 points  (7 children) | Copy Link

This is so sweet. I had dated men over the years who hated me baking anything like that because they didn’t want to become overweight. But I always felt like my hand was cut off when they wouldn’t let me!

Since I’m conscious of my own health though I had decided to subscribe to healthy baking blogs.

I will note that when we have company I bake the full on decadent recipes.

So here are some of the healthy recipes I’ve made: -pumpkin spice cookies (gluten free) -low sugar candied pecans -black bean brownies (yep made with black beans and so good) -home made granola bars (low sugar) -chocolate cake, vanilla cake -no sugar lemon meringue -apple crisp (no sugar) -chocolate fondue with fruit

but then I’ve had my share of regular awesome recipes and I always seem to fall back on my “better homes and gardens” cook book my mom gave me as a shower gift. It’s filled with cakes and muffins, just filled with them.

For healthy sweets I love: chocolate covered Katie

For full on decadent staples better Homes and Gardens cb

[–]NubianIbex6 points7 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

That's sweet! (double entendre).

I try to adhere to the Paleo diet so I bake gluten-free and without added sugar. Still turns out tasty. Some of my recent endeavors - paleo chocolate-chip banana bread, paleo apple raisin cake.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Oh neat! I have been subscribed to the keto lifestyle and lost quite a bit of weight with it. When I’m in”maintenance mode” I plan to adopt the paleo lifestyle.

Those recipes sound great.

[–]KittenLoves_Endorsed Contributor[S] 2 points3 points  (3 children) | Copy Link

I'm glad you're able to fulfill all your baking desires now! :D

Thank you so much for those two links. The list of things you've made so far all sound really interesting, and I'm definitely looking forward to checking them all out. Do the "healthy" recipes tend to taste like they're "healthy" -- I mean, does it seem like something is missing sometimes? I ask because they sound intriguing but if they didn't taste like a regular fatty, sugary dessert I'm not sure how much my boyfriend would appreciate that, haha.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (2 children) | Copy Link

Hahaha, funny you should ask. I won’t eat it either if it doesn’t taste good. So sometimes I’m experimenting. But that website “chocolate cover Katie”, her stuff tastes awesome.

If my husband wants something heartier, I’ll make it and put some in the freezer. I usually will only treat myself once/week. On a Sunday usually. I’m happy to make what he wants tho

[–]KittenLoves_Endorsed Contributor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

In that case I'll definitely be going with some recipes on her site! Thank you. :D

[–]Rivkariver2 Star1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

I love baking too but we both try to limits sweets intake. I like finding middle grounds like the healthy versions, cake only lightly sweetened, breads, etc.

[–]YakCat7 points8 points  (3 children) | Copy Link

I started making homemade hamburger buns. My husband gets so excited when I make them and he’s been getting creative with making burgers. It’s nice because we rarely grilled and now the homemade buns have given us a reason.

They’re delicious and something people don’t think about making themselves. I’m starting to make other things people don’t make at home often such as crackers. He was put on a high carb diet so this is helping him eat more.

[–]KittenLoves_Endorsed Contributor[S] 1 point2 points  (2 children) | Copy Link

That sounds really cool! Do you have a recipe for the hamburger buns that you could share? I would definitely love to try my hand at that. I'm sure there must be a lot of great ways to "customize" them that you'd be hard-pressed to find in any pre-made bun.

How do you make crackers?

[–]YakCat2 points3 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

BUNS 1 cup lukewarm water 2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature 1 large egg 3 1/2 cups Bread Flour 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/4 teaspoons salt 1 tablespoon instant yeast

I put it all in the bread machine on dough setting. Once it’s mixed, I cut it into bun shapes and let it rise an hour. Then I bake them at 350 for 15 min.

It’s simple but it really takes a burger to the next level. My husband’s been into making stuffed burgers so it’s been nice to have something homemade to compliment.

Crackers are easy. It’s just flour, salt, and water basically that you press into a pan and cut. I’m still trying out recipes but I love it because I’m trying to eat more seeds (they’re good for brain health). I put sunflowers, chia, pumpkin, sesame or whatever I can find. I just started looking for different things to bake on all recipes one day.

[–]KittenLoves_Endorsed Contributor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

I don't have a bread machine but I'm sure I could just knead it myself. Thank you for the recipe! I'll definitely be using it when we can start grilling outside again.

As for the crackers ... that sounds amazing and I think I'm going to be looking into doing that as well.

[–]WonderfulEnergy5 points6 points  (3 children) | Copy Link

I have the opposite of a sweet tooth and can never really appreciate my creations, but the sense of appreciation I get from my boyfriend whenever I bake for him has completely changed my opinion.

Why not try carrot cake? Or vegetable cake and a few muffins for dessert? The possibilities are endless.

[–]KittenLoves_Endorsed Contributor[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children) | Copy Link

Truthfully, if it's not savoury it's not really "for me". I don't do dessert (except maybe a tea with some honey, if that even counts!) because it's pretty difficult for me to find sweet things I like. I do enjoy carrot cake, though ... I hadn't even thought of that, it's been probably two years since I made one! Thank you!

I'll look into some vegetable cakes (are there other ones besides zucchini?), but more for him than me. I'd rather eat chips if I'm having a vegetable dessert ;P

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

I'm going to try a pumpkin spice low carb cake recipe I found - but I'd never make it for just myself - or I can eat it all in one sitting! If you like carrot cake you'll likely enjoy pumpkin. I have made lots of recipes with pumpkin. To the point I have it in my cupboard all year round now. So, zucchini, pumpkin, carrot and some people do black beans.

low carb, gluten free pumpkin spice cake with frosting

[–]KittenLoves_Endorsed Contributor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Oh I do love pumpkin! I've made pumpkin cookies that were divine and chewy, and pumpkin gnocchi as well! Thank you for that recipe.

[–]StepfordInTexas4 points5 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

So a funny story. Our entire marriage my husband BEGGED me to make this one particular cake, but I never would because his mother traumatized me with how difficult it was.

So after 9 years of marriage I finally made it. My husband was so very very appreciative! It was sweet and a very rewarding experience.

So if you’re interested in a crazy labor intensive cake I recommend the Paul Prudhomme Pecan Spice Cake!

[–]KittenLoves_Endorsed Contributor[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Okay so I just looked up that recipe and ... oh sweet baby Jesus that is definitely intensive. I think it would probably be too much cake just for him, but it sounds so delicious that I think I'll cut it down (significantly) and make it soon.

[–]gretamine2 points3 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

This is a cute idea. I'm more of a pie person than a cake person, so can't offer many suggestions but rhubarb upside down cake is pretty good. I also like Japanese-style cheesecake which is a slightly lighter, lower cal version of regular cheesecake. It's baked in the oven and you'd need a springform pan if you don't already have one.

[–]KittenLoves_Endorsed Contributor[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

I'm definitely not anti-pie (neither is my boyfriend, more importantly), but I figure the pies will come later in the year, when we have more fruits to work with (there are apple, pear, and plum trees).

I tried a Japanese-style cheesecake once and it was definitely very light and different than what I was used to. I don't have a springform pan but that may be a good investment. Thank you for these ideas! I'm also happy for any pie ideas you may have (with any fillings, not just the fruits I'll be sure to use later on). :D

[–]batting4fireflies2 points3 points  (2 children) | Copy Link

Fun! The two favorite cakes in our home are strawberry cake with whip cream frosting and chocolate better than sex cake (it’s almost better than sex haha).

[–]KittenLoves_Endorsed Contributor[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child) | Copy Link

Those both sound amazing. Do you have specific recipes you follow for them?

[–]batting4fireflies0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

I do! Sorry for the delayed reply, my app doesn’t always notify me of responses.

For the strawberry cake I just use the Betty Crocker Super Moist cake mix. Some might think this is cheating but it’s so good I don’t care haha. Then I make the frosting by mixing a tub of Cool Whip with a mixture of a cup of milk, a quarter cup of powdered sugar, and a package of strawberry instant pudding mix (sometimes I use vanilla pudding too).

The basic recipe for the better than sex cake is to make a chocolate sheet cake, poke a bunch of holes in the top and pour sweetened condensed milk over it then top with whip cream, chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, and crushed up Heath bars. A friend of mine suggested heating the condensed milk with caramel syrup before pouring over the cake, which I haven’t tried but it can’t be bad.

[–]impeccabledonut2 points3 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

I love lemon pound cake!! Don't have a favourite recipe but usually I up the lemon in whichever one I use because I like it tangy. A basic sugar glaze on top and it's perfect with a cup of tea :D

[–]clearhoney1 point2 points  (4 children) | Copy Link

Don't forget the cherries with the pineapple upside down! I also like chopping up some marashinos too and adding them into the batter.

It's a really simple one, hard to screw it up so I'm sure you'll love it!

Sometimes I also cut and layer it with a section of cream cheese frosting too, since you said he has a wicked sweet tooth (like myself) might be something to consider :). Since you mention you have fruit trees, when the time comes consider an angel food cake!

[–]KittenLoves_Endorsed Contributor[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Damn, I saw your comment too late and had already made the cake. But I'll take your frosting tip into consideration if/when I make this cake again. I actually ended up using dried coconut in the batter, and it tastes like the cake version of a pina colada.

[–]KittenLoves_ 1 points1 points [recovered] | Copy Link

Damn, I saw your comment too late and had already made the cake. But I'll take your frosting tip into consideration if/when I make this cake again. I actually ended up using dried coconut in the batter, and it tastes like the cake version of a pina colada.

[–]clearhoney1 point2 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

oh my goodness! I'm going shopping tonight, so now I'm going to take your tip and make one this weekend :)

[–]KittenLoves_Endorsed Contributor[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Enjoy! I added about a cup of dried coconut, so don't worry about going sparingly with it

[–]JennysLens1 point2 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

You might like the subreddit r/52weeksofbaking They do a different baking challenge each week and share their creations. It gives good ideas for different baking items that you don't think of yourself, and when they do cakes week - which is actually this week -- there are a lot of creative ideas.

[–]KittenLoves_Endorsed Contributor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Thank you so much! This is such a great way to find interesting ideas. And I just took a look and saw there's also a version for cooking. Looks like I'm going to be spending a lot more time in the kitchen!

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

I love a good red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.

[–]Bea_LeChat0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

After T-giving I bought a few extra turkeys for the freezer. My DH LOOOVES turkey. I made 1 for his birthday last weekend. He was thrilled. We didn't want the whole potatoes/gravy/ scene so we just had some plain rice and a green salad. Our son came over for the birthday feast.

Suggestion: Some weeks you are going to be tight on time so don't be afraid to use box cake mixes. I tried a Krispy Kreme cake mix - it looked like a huge donut and it was very quick easy and delicious.

You can kill a man, but you can't kill an idea.

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