Valentine’s Day Recipes

Some love it, others hate it.   Kids love it because they get candy, cards and a party at school.   You may love that your sweetheart takes you out to a special dinner on this night.  Your best friend may hate it because the day reminds her of a failed relationship.  Valentine’s Day is next Tuesday, Feb. 14.  Whether you’ll plan to spend the day with your special someone or boycott the whole dating thing with your friends, here are some delicious-looking recipes to try!

Valentine Neapolitan Cupcakes

Which cupcake combines two delicious things: strawberry cake and brownie batter? THIS ONE! Not only are they extremely cute, they are also very easy to make!

All you need is:

1 package brownie mix

2 eggs

½ cup vegetable oil (or canola oil)

¼ cup water

1 package strawberry cake mix

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 1/3 cups water

3 egg whites

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line 40-48 muffin cups with paper liners. Whisk together brownie mix, 2 eggs, ½ cup canola oil and ¼ cup water in a bowl.  Stir about 50 strokes and then set aside.

Combine cake mix with 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 1/3 cup water and 3 egg whites in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed until combined.  Mix on medium speed for two minutes.

Spoon brownie batter into muffin cups, filling each cup 1/3 full.  Spoon cake batter over brownie batter until the cups are each 2/3 full.

Bake until golden for about 20 minutes (when the tops spring back when lightly pressed).

 

Mocha Fondue

Who doesn’t love fondue?  With this recipe, it’s easy to make and lots of fun.  You’ll have plenty of time to talk with your sweetheart or have fun with your friends.

You’ll need:

1 package of milk chocolate chips

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tsp instant coffee granules

4 tsp hot water

½ tsp vanilla extract

Dash of ground cinnamon

In a heavy saucepan, melt the chocolate chips with the cream over low heat.  Stir constantly.  Dissolve the coffee in water and stir into the chocolate mixture.  Then stir in the vanilla and cinnamon.

Keep warm.  Serve with fresh fruit pieces and cubes of pound cake.

 

White Chocolate Pie

For this creamy delight you’ll need;

1 package of cream cheese, softened

¾ cup confectioner’s sugar

1 carton (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed and divided

1 chocolate crumb crust

1  ¼ cups of cold milk

1 package (3.3 oz) instant white chocolate pudding mix

Red food coloring

In a large bowl you need to beat the cream cheese and confectioner’s sugar with ¼ cup whipped topping until smooth.  Then spread over the crust.

In a small bowl, beat the milk and pudding mix on low speed for two minutes.  Let stand for two minutes or until the mixture is self-set.  Then pour over the cream cheese mixture.  Refrigerate for two hours or until firm.

Tint the remaining whipped topping pink with the red food coloring.  Spread over the pie just before serving.  Then refrigerate the leftovers.

 

 Chocolate Hearts

So quick, so easy and so cute! For this recipe, all you’ll need is:

8 inch square baking pan

10 ounces (280 grams) semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces

3 cups (90 grams) of Rice Krispies cereal

Heart shaped cookie cutters

First, butter or spray the baking pan with butter or non-stick vegetable spray.  Then place the chocolate pieces in a double boiler or heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until melted then remove from heat.  Gently stir in the Rice Krispies cereal until evenly coated.  Immediately pour the mixture into the prepared pan and lightly pat until even. Place in the refrigerator until set. Then cut and shape into heart cookie cutters.

 

Chocolate Cinnamon Pudding with Raspberries

For this pudding you’ll need:

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

½ tsp cinnamon

¼ cup cornstarch

2/3 cup plus 1 tbsp packed brown sugar

2 ½ cups whole milk

1 ¼ cups heavy cream

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 ½ cups fresh or frozen raspberries, thawed.

Combine the cocoa, cinnamon and 2/3 cup of brown sugar in a heavy saucepan.  Then whisk in the milk and ½ cup of the heavy cream.  Then over medium-low heat, bring to a boil and cook, stirring constantly until the pudding is thick and smooth.  Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla.

Then pour into individual ramekins or a large bowl and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming.

Then whip the remaining heavy cream with the remaining sugar until soft peaks form.  You can serve the pudding warm or chilled with the raspberries and whipped cream.

 

These are just a few recipes you can try for Valentine’s Day.  Whether you plan to spend the day with your special someone or your friends, these recipes are sure to provide for an afternoon or evening of fun and tastiness!