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A Recipe for the Perfect Valentine’s Day
Now I know that Valentine’s Day is all about drummin’ up new ways to say “I love you,” but when you’ve celebrated as many Valentine’s Days as I have, it gets harder and harder to impress. Michael can always win me over with jewelry or some other thoughtful gift. Last year, we were staying at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills and I saw the most beautiful Valentino handbag. I wanted it so bad, but the salespeople claimed that they couldn’t find the key to open the case. Or so they said. I was so agitated—like they thought I wasn’t good enough for that bag. Well, when we got home, on Michael’s desk was the most beautiful box with a card that read, “To my Valentine.” Turns out that he had gone behind my back and told the salespeople not to show me that purse. Then he bought it and had it shipped here. By the time we got home, it was waiting for me. I couldn’t believe it. I thought it was the sweetest thing.
But men are so much harder to shop for. Michael, having been a docking pilot for most of his life, isn’t a monogrammed cufflink kind of guy. He wouldn’t be caught dead carrying some “man purse”—so no matching Valentino’s for us. And making reservations at an overcrowded and overpriced restaurant—the same one that is reasonable any other day of the year—would feel more like work than romance. So instead of one perfect gift, or one perfect 5-course meal, I’m going for one perfect touch.
No, not that. I’m talking food, y’all.
The way to Michael’s heart has always been through his stomach, which is just one of the many things that makes us a perfect match. One of our first Valentine’s together I made him the most absolutely perfect 15-layer caramel cake. Okay, it wasn’t 15 layers; it just felt like it. But one bite of that cake sealed the deal. He said, “I might could like her,” and like me he did. So to show Michael that he’s the light of my life, I’m going to go back to doing what I do best and make him the most fabulous cake I know how to bake—something that trumps even my caramel cake—and that’s my Sugared Rose Parade Layer Cake.
It’s a super-duper special cake that I allowed the Tournament of Roses people to use at the announcement brunch this year. There’s a lot of love and time that goes into this spectacular cake, making it befitting for Valentine’s Day. I make four 10-inch layers of alternating red velvet and white cake, cream cheese frosting and sugared rose petals. It calls for two kinds of flour, 12 cups of sugar (including the roses and frosting) and two pounds of cream cheese. Now if that won’t make your heart stop, I don’t know what will.
Valentine’s Day is really about sharing an intimate moment with your loved ones. It needn’t be a lot of hoopla, just a slice of spectacular cake and a cup of hot chocolate set up in a cozy spot. Like y’all, we spend most of our days eatin’ on the run over the table in our kitchen and rarely get a chance to sit down, let alone have a decent conversation. So creating a beautiful table setting in our bedroom really brings it all together—conversation, food, intimacy and most importantly, our big-hearted love.
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Reader Comments:
dear paul day is friday feb 8 this is janie i have to writh your things down i dont have thins to prit to prit out will get one for christday day nex year for my office in my apt so writh now have to writh down in the book all you have for van day in my book to ok so have a good day good toght get lot sleep love you all things you do on tv show the food nex work cooking tv show do good on it keep do good job love janie
By janie lov carter on February 08, 2013
i've love to watch my paula dean shows on tv network cause she is funny and careing to really she is
By jessica raikes on March 07, 2012
I watch your show all the time, love it. I am trying to find a receipe you had, it was chocolate cake 1/2 mixture in baking dish then 2 large chocolate candy bars, and then the rest of the cake mixture on top. I am so proud of you on how you are lighting your receipes. You go girl, good for you. I have received a lot of good ideas from you. Denise
By Denise Adams on March 05, 2012
Hi Paula I love watching your show i watch it everyday. You give great idea's and great food idea's.I love it when u get your family in the kitchen with you.Love your shows. Number 1 fan Becky
By becky vanvleet on February 10, 2012
Hi Paula, Believe it or not, my 3 year old grandson Gavin absolutely loves watching you. He loves to be in the kitchen (up on the counter) helping with anything I am making. Whenever I have your show on he comments "that's Paula, I love Paula." This cake is perfect for Valentine's Day! Thanks for all the great shows and recipes. You make all the things us old average people love to eat.
By Pat Ketcham on January 25, 2012
i luv this recipe thanks for making it come true
By irene on November 17, 2011
i made this for my husband for valentines day and he LOVED it. He said it was the best Valentines present he's ever gotten. Hes more of a "cook me food" guy than buy me cool gadgets. my dad came over the next day, and i let him have a bite and he wanted to take some of it home he liked it so much. he also said 'i wish my wife wouldve made me this for valentines day' a hit for sure, thanks paula : )
By ariana on August 16, 2011
What a beautiful cake Paula and I just LOVE the "HOT" pink in the blouse and the cake!!!I will let you do that fancycooking of the cake.I also love the Rose Bowl Parade.Watch it every year.I did see you as the Grand Marshall,you were "GREAT"!!!!!!!
By Linda Morton on February 15, 2011
Hey Paula Happy Valentine's Day. I hope you and Michael have a "romantical" dinner tonight. I'm making my man stuffed Cornish hen, roasted asparagus, and garlic mashed potatoes. For dessert we're having chocolate cake hearts and dipped strawberries. This week both my sweetie and I turn the big 6-0 and we found out yesterday that our son and his wife are expecting another baby in the fall. We have lot's to celebrate this week!
By Karen on February 14, 2011
tonight for dinner, Beef Wellinton, Mashed Potatos, Corn, Carmelized onions, surtaed mushrooms, home made Brownie Cake and Home Made Peanut Buter Ice cream. Now Is That Love or Not? Linda Comparato rosby-Marmo
By Linda Comparato Crosby-Marmo on February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day to you and Michael. I love seeing Michael on your shows. You two are so funny and cute. Thanks so much for the laughs and especially for the great recipes.
By Guinna Gregory on February 13, 2011
I made the coconut cake in you dessert book last weekend and I left off the sweetened condensed milk and used frozen coconutversus the shelf coconut and we loved it. I had made it several years ago and we liked it this way better. I have all your cookbooks except the last book. Love it all. Happy Valentines Day!
By Judy McKinney on February 13, 2011
Your work is amazing & your passion is an inspiration! Thank you!
By Jennifer Reid on February 11, 2011
really enjoy your website it just relaxes me and gets me in the mood for baking or cooking or something in the kitchen. im hopeful i will catch up with you somewhere this year. but this cake is just beautiful and those roses look really hard to do. but ill give it a try and see what happens. you were truely honored at the parade and even saw you on the late night show. havent yet made it to harrahs or hannahs in indiana but trying to get there. thanks for hanging in there and making it big so you can share your gifts with everyone. best of luck on your adventures this year. all the best and much success to you all.
By stephanie kinnett on February 11, 2011
Paula, Just think you have the best personality, and beautiful "to boot"...You are one of a kind, just like one of the petals on your rose cake...each one different, and more lovely than the next. A very Happy Valentines Day to you and every member of your wonderful family that you have been blessed with! Wish you were my sister, I love you so much! Sincerely, from my heart, Gizelle
By Gizelle on February 11, 2011
Paula...Lady you just rock, everything about you is so down to earth and awesome. I am old school from Nebraska farmers and i'm all about real cream and lots of butter. My Granny and Aunt's were all about down home cooking and to this day I'm still cooking up their recipes and lovin every moment of it. I have tried so many of your recipes and laugh my butt off at some of your remarks on your shows, you are truly one class act and I can so relate to where you come from. Keep us smiling Paula and i'll keep watching. As for Valentines Day who knows what will come of the day when my Man and I get together to celebrate us 
By Diana Culhane on February 10, 2011
Dear Paula,
One of my favorite pastimes is catching you on tv or reading your newsletters. I not only love your recipes, but also love hearing your family stories. A girlfriend and I came to see you a few years back down in Chicago. It was November I believe. I always wondered just how those people who got to dine onstage got that opportunity. My husband thinks I am a Paula "freak" ,, haaa... maybe i am, but he has no problem eating any of the food i make from your recipes. One of my dreams would be to someday meet you in person. Wondering what ever happened to the show Paula's Party ? Anyway, keep cookin' and sharin' with us... we all love you!
By Cynthia Thomson on February 10, 2011
love u Paula...ur infectious laugh and always teasing. Jesus loves u 2!! Keep on cooking, oh just change ur wishes thingie at end of show to prayers or throw prayers in there somehow, okies?? hugs, BJ
By BJ Cannon on February 10, 2011
You go girl?You and Michael have the very nice VDay ever.I love your shows and I do try my best to make every thing that I see on your show,but it comes out wrong. Your Fan, Dawn Marie Gruber
By dawnmariegruber on February 10, 2011
i would love to know more about to rose cake and how to make it i love your show
By peggy jones on February 09, 2011
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