Heart Cakes on the feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria

November 25th is the feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria.

I love the story of St. Catherine. She is known as the patron saint of young girls. You can read more about her here.

One of our favorite books about her, which we read each year on her feast, is called A Story of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. It was originally published in 1965, and had been out of print. However, it has been reprinted by Newman Press. I just love how all these wonderful old books are now being made available once again! I highly recommend it.

There is an old custom that originated in France, that on St. Catherine's Day, heart-shaped cakes are given to young women who have reached the age of twenty-five and are still single. This is to encourage them in their search for love.

Now, my girls are no where NEAR the age of 25, and I'm not going to "encourage them in their search for love," but since St. Catherine is my oldest daughter's patron saint, we celebrate her "name day" on this special feast with a heart shaped cake!


Last year, since I didn't have a heart shaped pan, I used the directions found in My nameday--come for dessert, for our Heart Cake. Even though it looked a little out of balance, my daughter LOVED it!

Heart Cake

1) No heart-shaped pan is needed. Instead, bake two round 8 or 9-inch layers from favorite recipe or cake mix. Spread a fluffy pink frosting between the layers; then cut a wedge from one side, about 31/2 inches wide by 3 inches deep.
2) The cut-out wedge goes on the opposite side of the cake to make the point of the heart. Now frost the entire cake, swirling pink frosting over the top and sides.
3) Sprinkle white coconut flakes over the top and around the sides of the cake. Pat the coconut on while the frosting is still soft so that the coconut will stick. Red cinnamon candies make a pretty heart center, as do roses of icing.

Since we just lost our baby, I am not quite up to baking a cake. However, we could all use a little cheering up here, so we are going to swing by the bakery and see what we can find!

Have a wonderful feast everyone!

Glorious Saint Catherine, virgin and martyr,
Help me to imitate your love of purity.

Give me strength and courage in fighting off the temptations of the world and evil desires. Help me to love God with my whole heart and serve Him faithfully.

O Saint Catherine, Through your glorious martyrdom for the love of Christ,
Help me to be loyal to my faith and my God as long as I live.