Whose love language is not dessert? I know mine definitely is. Spread some love this Valentine's Day by baking up some sweet treats and sharing with the people you love most.
Here are a few Valentine themed recipe ideas.
Heart Shaped Brownies
Makes 12-16 servings
Ingredients
2/3 cup butter
5oz unsweetened baking chocolate, cut into pieces
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
Heart shaped cookie cutter, shop here.
Pink, white and/or red icing, optional
Instructions
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom and sides of 9-inch square pan.
2. In a large saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly. Cool slightly. 3. In medium bowl, beat sugar, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on high speed for 5 minutes.
4. Beat in chocolate mixture on low. Beat in flour until blended.
6. Spread in pan.
7. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool completely in pan.
8. Use cookie cutter to cut brownies into heart shapes.
9. If you choose to, decorate with icing.
Source: bettycrocker.com
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Mini Cheesecakes
Makes 18 servings
Ingredients
Crust
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
Cheesecake filling
16oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
18 strawberries
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons coconut oil
Cheesecake Instructions
1. Heat oven to 325°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 18 regular-size muffin cups; lightly spray paper cups with cooking spray.
2. In small bowl, mix Crust ingredients.
3. Spoon evenly into muffin cups; press down slightly.
4. In large bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and the vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Beat in eggs, one at a time, just until blended.
5. Spoon filling evenly into muffin cups, filling each about 3 quarters full.
6. Bake 24 to 26 minutes or until filling is set. Let cool completely, around 30 minutes.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Rinse strawberries and pat dry with paper towels.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and coconut oil and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted.
3. Dip strawberries in chocolate and place on prepared baking sheet.
4. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.
5. Once chilled, place chocolate covered strawberries onto mini cheesecakes.
Source: bettycrocker.com
Pink Velvet Cupcakes
Makes 12 servings
Ingredients
Cupcakes
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter , cold, cut into pieces
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
Pink food colouring
Cream Cheese Icing
4oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons half and half or heavy cream
Instructions
Cupcakes
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a cupcake pan with muffin cups.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar.
3. Add the butter. Combine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Add the eggs, vanilla and milk, and stir until combined.
5. Add 6-8 drops of pink food colouring and stir until well distributed.
6. Scoop the batter into the prepared pan, filling the cups 1/2 to 2/3 full.
7. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
Frosting
1. Add the cream cheese and butter to a medium bowl and beat until smooth.
2. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until smooth.
3. Add 1 Tablespoon of half and half and beat on high until light and fluffy. Add additional half and half as needed to make a light and fluffy frosting.
4. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and decorate as you wish.
Source: www.iheartnaptime.net