Three cute Valentine’s Day treats

Valentine’s Day is known for its sweet treats, such as candy hearts and chocolate dipped strawberries. Baking is the perfect way to celebrate such an occasion, and you may just gain the favor of your loved ones with some delicious treats.

In European royalty, it was tradition to give lovers chocolates mixed with amber. This tradition originated from chocolate being thought to contain substances with the ability to make the beloved more open to romance. While that may not be true, chocolate and other treats are always a great Valentine’s gift.

Pink Crinkle Cookies

A color the shade of dusty rose, the pink crinkle cookies are a wonderful combination of both cake and sugar cookies. They are light and airy, lacking the overwhelming sweetness found in many other cookies yet delicious enough to keep you coming back for more.

The recipe is simple, resembling that of a cake. However, the dough is rolled into sticky balls and covered in powdered sugar instead of placed in a pan which is what gives it the signature cracked surfaces.

Ingredients:

• 1 box vanilla cake mix
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• Food coloring (red or pink)
• 2 cups powdered sugar for rolling

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F
2. In the mixer bowl, cream together cake mix, food coloring, oil, and eggs
3. Chill the dough for 15 minutes
4. Roll a tablespoon of dough into a ball and then roll in powdered sugar
5. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet
6. Place baking sheet and cookies in the fridge to chill for 15 minutes
7. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes
8. Let cool on pan and then remove to cool completely on a wire rack

Valentine’s Cookie Bark

Cookie bark is quick and easy to whip together, making it a simple way to sweeten up a friend or family gathering. Another bonus is how easy it is to substitute ingredients to suit any and all allergies you may have to consider.

If the sweetness of the cookie bark is a bit too sugary for your liking, you can simply swap the chocolate for semi-sweet or dark, or you can cut back on the candy toppings. A large variety of toppings can be used, including sprinkles, m&ms, pretzels, or even the classic Valentine’s conversation hearts.

Ingredients:

• 18 chocolate sandwich cookies (Oreos)
• 16 oz chocolate
• 2 cups valentines m&ms
• ¼ cup sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Line a small baking pan or a 9×13 casserole pan with parchment paper
2. Roughly break apart chocolate sandwich cookies and place in a single layer in a pan
3. Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals (stirring in between) until melted and smooth. Gently pour over cookies evenly and spread to cover cookies
4. Immediately sprinkle with candies and sprinkles
5. Place the pan in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Pull out of the pan using parchment paper as a sling and cut into large pieces for serving

Red Velvet Truffles

The red velvet truffles are a delicious balance of flavors; the rich, cakey inside complimented by the hard outer shell of chocolate. The truffles are fun and unique to make, but evenly coating the balls of cake in the chocolate causes them to be very time consuming as well.

Red velvet cake is notorious for its deep red color, making it the perfect center for the truffles. However, any type of cake, chocolate, and frosting can be used if you desire a different color or more variety in the tastes.

Ingredients:

• 1 box red velvet cake mix
• 14 oz container of vanilla frosting
• 6 oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Valentine’s sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Prepare the cake according to package instructions. Let cool completely before moving on to the next step
2. Using a fork or your hands, break the cake into fine crumbs into a large bowl. Add ½ container of icing. Add more if it is not easy to form into balls
3. Roll into cake balls and place on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Place in the fridge to chill while you prepare the chocolate
4. Heat chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments and stir until completely melted. Remove cake balls from the fridge and place one ball at a time into the melted chocolate. Using a spoon, evenly coat each ball with the chocolate. Remove the truffle from the chocolate and transfer it back to the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining chocolate balls
5. Add sprinkles to the balls before the chocolate hardens
6. Return truffles to the fridge for 15 minutes or more until the truffles are set

Try some of these tasty Valentine’s Day treats to make the day more delicious.