How to Win a Man's Heart - #ValentinesDay #Recipes

Remember the old adage win a man’s heart through his stomach? Well, I’m about to share a recipe that will help win a man’s heart, AND his body, AND his soul. Ha! Valentine’s Day will be here in two short weeks. This Lemon Poppy Seed Cake topped with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting is moist, rich, and decadently delicious. Give it a try.

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

For the Lemon Poppy Seed Cake:

3 cups cake flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons lemon zest

8 ounces butter, room temperature

2 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup whole milk

1/4 cup lemon juice

3 tablespoons poppy seeds

For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:

16 ounces cream cheese, softened

8 ounces unsalted butter, softened

4-6 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon lemon zest

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Make the Lemon Poppy Seed Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Butter and lightly flour three 8″ round pans. Line pan bottoms with parchment.

2. Whisk together 3 cups cake flour, baking powder and salt. Add lemon zest and whisk again. Set aside.

3. In a small bowl, combine milk and lemon juice.  Stir to combine and set aside for milk to curdle.  This is similar to making homemade buttermilk.

4. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high using the paddle attachment.  Beat until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down bowl. With the mixer on low, add eggs one at a time.  Mix well after each egg. Add vanilla extract. Mix to combine.

5. Add the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.  Do not over mix. Add poppy seeds and mix to combine. Stop the mixer and scrape down the bowl and the mixer blade. Batter will be thick and fluffy.

6. Divide batter evenly between the three 8″ round pans. Smooth tops with rubber spatula or knife to evenly distribute batter in the pan. Bake for 25-27 minutes, until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove to wire rack to finish cooling.

Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the butter and cream cheese until smooth.

2. Add vanilla, lemon zest and juice and mix until combined.

3. Gradually add confectioner’s sugar, adjusting amount, until desired sweetness is reached. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Whip until smooth.

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 I’m celebrating February by putting my book, SECOND CHANCE VALENTINE, on sale for 99¢ for the whole month. You save $2 off the regular price. The book is only available in Amazon’s Kindle Store, but you can download a free Kindle app here. It’s a free read for Kindle Unlimited members.

About the book:

As teens, Josie and Alex met under golden sunshine, frolicked in the surf and sand, and fell head over toes in love. But circumstances arose that ruined their one glorious summer, and Josie fled Ocean City with a broken heart.

Now Josie’s grandmother is ill and needs help with the family business, a thriving harbor-side diner called Joe’s Place. So after more than a dozen years, Josie returns to her hometown only to discover she has a 180 pound problem—Alex is the Kitchen Commander at Joe’s Place. Surely, Josie can work with Alex to keep the diner going and retain her dignity until her grandmother is back on her feet. However, when Alex’s little girl starts scheming, not a single heart will be safe against the twelve-year-old matchmaker.

This book contains bonus recipes from Joe’s Place!

Click here to buy the eBook for 99¢. Also available in paperback.

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USA Today Bestselling Author Donna Fasano has written over 30 romance and women’s fiction novels. Her books have won awards and have sold 4 million copies worldwide. Her work is available in paperback, audiobooks, and ebooks for Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iBooks, and Google Play. Learn more about her at her blog, check out her books, and connect with her on Facebook,Twitter, and Pinterest. She loves to hear from readers.