Valentine Day recipes

[cat lover]

What do you do for Valentine Day? Do you make a nice dinner for the whole family that represents the day; or do you have a romantic dinner for you and your other? Do you have some special recipes to share here for those meals and some special desserts or candies that maybe you send to school with the kids or a surprise in their lunches? Let's share all the specail recipes here!
Here's one to get us started!


Heart Shaped Cherry Dessert

1 18 oz pkg refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 16 oz can cherry pie filling
1 8 oz container Cool Whip, thawed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll the cookie dough to 1/4" thick and form it into a heart shape. Place the heart shape on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or till the cookie is lightly brown on the edges. In a large mixing bowl, mix cream cheese with confectioner's sugar. Spread the mixture on cooled cookie dough. Cover with cherry pie filling and whipped cream. Yield: 12 Servings

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I will wait until Christmas is over and the semester is over to even think about this one yet.

[cat lover]

I have to start planning now if I want to find all those god recipes and to have something "new". I try at least one new recipe for each holiday. Since it is only DH and me if it turns out bad I don't have many to deal with! LOL

[DeBora4BobbyL]

That sounds like a plan to me.

[Bilby]

Valentines is not a thing we, personally, do. Not since we dated at least. When we got engaged we decided to put our money towards a down payment for a house so saved all our $$. The only excpetion being a small box of chocs we share after the kids have gone to bed.

[cat lover]

DH and I don't do anything special other than a little something different for the main meal;and never did. I usually cooked something special when the boys were home growing up and made a "special" dessert which I think we all looked forward to. Now that it is DH and I again I try and cook that "special" dessert for us, but that is about all. Thought this would be a nice place for all that does some special cooking to share their ideas for others that do.

Minty Chocolate Cookies


1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
8 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1/4 tsp mint extract
3 oz bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Sift the flour, cocoa and salt together into a small bowl. In a large bowl, beat the butter using medium speed, for 30 seconds, or till creamy. Add the sugar and continue beating for 3 to 4 minutes, till the mixture is light in texture and color. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat in the egg, then beat in the mint extract. At low speed, beat in the flour mixture in two additions, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece of dough into a cylinder approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap each cylinder of dough in waxed paper and refrigerate for 3 hours, or until firm enough to slice. (Or place in the freezer for about 20 minutes.)
Position one rack in the top third and another in the bottom third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. For neater slices, transfer the refrigerated rolls of dough to the freezer for 15 minutes before slicing. Using a sharp knife, slice the rolls of dough into l/4" thick slices, placing the slices about 1" apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes till set on top. Switch the positions of the baking sheets halfway through the baking time for even baking. Cool the cookies on the baking sheets on wire racks for 1 to 2 minutes. Using a metal spatula, transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough. Melt the chocolate. Dip a fork into the melted chocolate and shake and flick it over the cookies to make a decorative zigzag pattern, dipping it back into the chocolate as necessary. Refrigerate the cookies for 15 minutes, or until the chocolate is set. The cookies can be stored, between layers of waxed paper, in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

[cat lover]

Chocolate Lover's Cheesepie


3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Hershey's mimi chips Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided
1 extra serving-size packaged graham cracker crumb crust (9 oz.)
2 tbsp whipping cream


Heat oven to 450 degrees. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Stir in 1-2/3 cups small chocolate chips; pour into crust. Bake 10 minutes. Without opening oven door, reduce temperature to 250 degrees then continue baking 30 minutes or just till set. Remove from oven to wire rack. Cool completely.
Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. In small microwave safe bowl, place remaining 1/3 cup chips and whipping cream. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 20 to 30 seconds or just till chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Cool slightly and spread over top of cheesepie. Refrigerate 15 minutes or until topping is set. Cover and refrigerate leftover cheesepie.
Makes 10 servings.

Recipe from the Hershey Kitchens

[cat lover]

Some tips for Valentines Day...Start with a Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter!


Place a large heart shaped cookie cutter into a cooking sprayed skillet (be sure to spray the cookie cutter also); break an egg into it and serve a heart shaped egg!

Cut out heart shaped pieces of bread to make sandwiches for the day!

Cut rolled out pizza dough into hearts and top and bake as usual!

Bake a pan of brownies, cut out heart shapes when cooled decorate with frosting and sprinkles!

[Amayesing]

I usually try to do a special meal of some sort but a few years ago right after Christmas, I went to Target and got red goblets and red cloth napkins and napkin rings so I use that for Valentines to set a pretty table

[cat lover]

What a good idea for Valentine's Day! I did that after Valentine's Day the year my DS was getting married that following June; their colors were red and black so I got lots of goodies for the wedding at a great percentage off too!

[cat lover]

Chocolate Coconut Pots De Creme

1 (14 oz.) can Coconut Milk
1/3 cup sugar
3 tbsp bittersweet cocoa powder
3 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp cornstarch
2 tbsp cold water
2 tbsp slivered almonds, toasted
2 tbsp shredded coconut, toasted

Heat coconut milk over medium heat. Stir in sugar, cocoa powder and chopped chocolate. Cook till chocolate melts, about 3 minutes. Add vanilla. Mix together cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Slowly drizzle cornstarch into coconut milk, stirring constantly. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer till mixture thickens. Divide between four (6-ounce) ramekins. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add almonds, toast until golden. Remove from pan and add coconut. Toast until golden. Allow to cool. Top pots de ceème with toasted almonds and coconut. Makes 4

[cat lover]

This makes a good on the go Valentine breakfast or a surprise in their lunch; wrapped in red plastic wrap!


Cranberry Heart Muffins


1 cup flour
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2-1/2 cups POST SELECTS CRANBERRY ALMOND CRUNCH Cereal (you can use whichever flavor you prefer)
1 cup milk
1 egg
1/3 cup oil


PREHEAT oven to 400 degrees. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in large bowl and set aside. Mix cereal and milk in another bowl and let stand 3 minutes. Stir in egg and oil and mix well. Add to flour mixture and stir
just till moistened. (Batter will be lumpy.) Spoon batter into paperlined medium muffin pan, filling each cup 2/3 full. Roll 12 (4-inch square) pieces of foil into balls. Tuck 1 between paper liner and side of each muffin cup to resemble heart shape. Bake 20 minutes or till golden brown. Serve warm.
This is a Kraft recipe

[cat lover]

Oatmeal Valentine Cookies
This recipe is from "Country" magazine

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tap salt
3/4 cup butter or margarine, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp milk
1 egg
1 tap vanilla extract
1 cup rolled oats
Decorative red sugar


Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Place in a large mixing bowl along with butter, sugar, milk, egg and vanilla and beat till smooth. Stir in oats. On a floured surface, roll the dough to 1/8" thickness. Cut into heart shapes and decorate with red sugar. Bake on an ungreased baking sheet at 375 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes or tilllight golden brown. Remove from baking sheet and cool on wire racks. 2 1/2 dozen 3" cookies.

[cat lover]

Here's a nice "snack"

Kahlua Caramel Popcorn

2 qts. popped corn
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup Kahlua
2 tbsp cider vinegar
3 tbsp butter
3/4 cup cashews

In a shallow pan, keep popped corn warm in low oven. Bring sugar, Kahlua and vinegar to boil, stirring till the sugar dissolves. Add butter and put in candy thermometer, bring to hard crack stage (300 degrees). Pour over warm popcorn and stir to coat evenly,add cashews.Cool and store in anairtight container in cool place. Makes about 2 quarts.

[sweetnell3]

Cat what is Kahlua as I have never heard of it?

[cat lover]

Here is a description from their site that tells it all; there are other brands that you can get less expensive than this one and most are good.

Kahlua coffee liqueur
Kahlua is a rich, dark brown coffee liqueur made from the finest Mexican coffee, with fine cane spirits and a hint of vanilla. It also contains sugar, corn syrup and vodka, and has a thicker body than most other alcoholic beverages.

[sweetnell3]

Thanks! I was wondering what it was as something new for me.

[cat lover]

Chocolate Fried Ice Cream

1 quart of your favorite vanilla ice cream
1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs (about 30 wafers, crushed)
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1/2 cup coconut
3 tbsp cocoa powder
2 eggs, slightly beaten
Vegetable oil
With scoop form 6 ice cream balls. Place on a wax paper cookie sheet. Cover and freeze for several hours till firm. In a bowl mix together crumbs, nuts, coconut and cocoa and set aside. Coat ice cream balls with crumb mixture, pressing crumbs firmly into ice cream. Dip balls in beaten egg and coat again with crumb mixture. Place on wax paper covered tray and freeze 2 hours or till very firm. Just before serving, heat 2" oil in fry pan or deep fryer to 375 degrees . Remove 2 balls at a time from freezer and fry in hot oil 20 to 25 seconds or till browned. Drain; serve immediately.

This is originally a Hershey recipe

[cat lover]

This recipe is from Cooking Light

Chocolate Chunk Bread Pudding


1 3/4 cups (1/2") cubed Hawaiian sweet bread
2/3 cup reduced fat milk
2 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
1 tbsp Kahlua (coffee-flavored liqueur)
1/2 tspvanilla extract
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Cooking spray
1 oz semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 tbsp frozen fat free whipped topping, thawed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes or till toasted. Remove bread from oven and decrease oven temperature to 325degrees.Combine milk and next 5 ingredients (milk through egg) in a medium bowl and stir well with a whisk. Add bread, tossing gently to coat. Cover and chill 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.Divide half of bread mixture evenly between 2 (6-oz) ramekins or custard cups coated with cooking spray and sprinkle evenly with half of chocolate. Divide remaining bread mixture between ramekinsnd top with remaining chocolate.Place ramekins in an 8" square baking pan; add hot water to pan to a depth of 1". Bake at 325 degrees for 35 minutes or till set. Serve each pudding warm with 1 tablespoon whipped topping.
2 servings

[cat lover]

Meryl Streep's Heart Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter (3 sticks), softened
3/4 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup almonds, finely ground
1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
Jam or preserves for filling


In large bowl, with mixer on medium speed, cream butter, honey, and vanilla. Add almonds and flours, and mix until well blended. Divide dough into 4 pieces and wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. On alightly floured waxed paper roll 1 piece dough 1/8" thick. With 3" heart shaped cookie cutter, cut dough into hearts and transfer to cookie sheet. Wrap and refrigerate trimmings. To fill cookies with jam lightly press thumb into each cookie and fill. Bake cookies12 to 14 minutes or till browned at edges. Let cookies remain on cookie sheet 2 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough and trimmings. Makes 5 dozen cookies.

[Bilby]

Kind of sounds like heart shaped jam drops, and I love those.

[cat lover]

Sort of just like what I always called "thrumbprint " cookies; except these are heart shaped... why didn't I think of that ? LOL

[cat lover]

Red Velvet Soup with Crouton Hearts

1 quart tomato juice
1 stick margarine
1 can evaporated milk
Crouton Hearts (recipe follows)

Combine the juice and margarine in a pan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Add the milk slowly ,but stir constantly. Keep warm but do not boil. Serve in bowls and sprinkle with Crouton Hearts.

Crouton Hearts

6 slices bread
Garlic flavored butter

Cut slice of bread with small heart shaped cookie cutter. Spread butter on them and place ona baking sheet. Bake in a 300 degree oven till dry.

[cat lover]

My DIL wanted a Valentine Day meal; here is one I suggested:

Champagne Chops
Green Beans with Garlic Butter
Parsleyed Potatoes
Butter Cookies cut into heart shapes

Champagne Chops

2 tbsp all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
dash pepper
8 boneless center loin chops cut 1/2" thick
2 tsp butter
3/4 cup champagne
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

Combine flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge chops in flour mixture. Heat butter in a large skillet till melted. Add chops and cook about 2 minutes on each side. Add champagne and cook 5 minutes. Remove chops; set aside and keep warm. Add cream and mushrooms to skillet and cook over low heat stirring constantly till thickened. Return chops to the pan and heat through.

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

1 16 oz bag frozen green beans
2 tbsp butter, melted
1 clove garlic, minced
dash pepper

Cook beans according to pkg. directipons. In a separate bowl combine butter, garlic and pepper and mix well. Drain beans and place in a serving bowl, Add butter mix and toss to coat beans.