Valentine’s Day: Let’s Make Some Sweets
Got a sweet tooth?
Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in some sweet treats, and what better way to show your love (or treat yourself!) than by baking up something homemade? Whether you're spending the day with a partner, friends, or by yourself, these simple and delicious treats will add some extra sweetness to your day.
Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies (Not my recipe)
Link: Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies: A Valentine’s Delight – nabeelafoodhub.com
Who doesn’t love a classic sugar cookie? Plus, they’re easy to decorate and customize with sprinkles, icing, or whatever your heart desires!
Ingredients
Sugar Cookies:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
Royal Icing:
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp meringue powder
- 5-6 tbsp water
- Pink, red and white food coloring
How to make them:
Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Beat butter and sugar until fluffy, then mix in egg and extracts.
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients to form a dough. Chill for 1 hour.
Roll out dough, cut heart shapes, and bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. Cool completely.
Make royal icing by beating powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until stiff peaks form. Tint with gel food coloring.
Decorate cookies with royal icing and let dry completely before serving.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Chocolate Covered Strawberries are a simple yet staple treat!
Ingredients
- Fresh strawberries
- 1 cup chocolate chips of your choice
- Chocolate of your choice for drizzling (optional)
- Sprinkles or crushed nuts for toppings (optional)
1. Melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second intervals, stirring between each time.
2. Wash & dry each strawberry and dip into the melted chocolate, letting the excess drip off.
3. For an extra something, drizzle with chocolate or sprinkle with your favorite toppings.
4. Place them on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to set.
Red Velvet Cupcakes (Not my recipe)
Link: Red Velvet Cupcakes - Eats Delightful
These cupcakes are the best shareable treat perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Ingredients
- 1 & ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup vegetable oil, or any neutral flavored oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring or 2 teaspoons liquid food coloring
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup buttermilk
Frosting
- 1 (8 ounce) block of cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 & ½ cups powdered sugar
How to make the Cupcakes:
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 12-count cupcake tin with paper liners, and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together your flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a separate large bowl, combine butter, oil, and sugar. Beat together using a wooden spoon or an electric mixer until relatively smooth and combined. It may be slightly grainy, but that's normal!
Add your eggs to the sugar mixture, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add in the sour cream, vinegar, food coloring, and vanilla, and whisk to combine.
Alternate adding your dry ingredients and buttermilk to the sugar mixture. Make sure to start and end with the dry ingredients (so 3 additions of dry ingredients, and 2 additions of buttercream), and whisk between each addition until just combined. Take care not to over mix!
Divide the batter evenly into your cupcake tin. You may need to do 2 batches, so just make sure that each cup is filled no more than ⅔ of the way full.
Bake the cupcakes in the center of your preheated 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting!
How to make the Frosting:
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and butter. Beat together using a wooden spoon or an electric mixer until fluffy, smooth, and lump free. Add your vanilla and salt and mix to incorporate.
Add your sugar to the cream cheese and butter mixture. Beat together again until the sugar is fully dissolved in your frosting.
*TIP: If your frosting is too thick, you can thin it out with a splash of milk. If you find your frosting is not firm enough for what you plan on using it for, pop it in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes. It should firm up. If it sat for a little too long in the fridge and it gets too solid, set it out at room temperature until it's softened again.
Frost away!
Chocolate Raspberry Brownies
Rich, fudgy brownies with a sweet raspberry twist. If you know me, you know I love anything raspberry so these are perfect!
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix (or your favorite homemade recipe)
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- Raspberry jam (optional)
- ½ cup chocolate chips
1. Prepare the brownie mix according to the package instructions.
2. Gently fold in the raspberries and chocolate chips.
3. Pour the batter into a greased pan and bake according to the brownie mix instructions.
4. Mix the raspberry jam with a toothpick to create a marbled effect on the top of the brownies. (optional)
4. Once cooled, cut into squares and enjoy the combination of rich chocolate and fresh fruit!
Valentine’s Day Chocolate Bark
Link:
This simple treat is both pretty and delicious, with endless possibilities for toppings! Perfect for sharing or gifting.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk or dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- ¼ cup chopped nuts (optional)
- Sprinkles, dried fruit, or candy pieces for decoration
1. Melt the dark or milk chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds.
2. Pour the melted chocolate onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spreading it into an even layer.
3. Melt the white chocolate and drizzle it over the dark chocolate.
4. Add the toppings of your choice.
5. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until fully set. Break into pieces and enjoy!
Package Them Up as Gifts!
These treats make great gifts for your friends, family, or anyone you want to show a little love. Package them in cute boxes or mason jars and add a personalized note for an extra touch.
Cover Photo: https://pin.it/146ck52wS (If you are or know the original creator, message me!)
