Valentine's Day, is coming up. And you need ideas to spoil your loved one. Ed Young, mega-church pastor, loves spoiling his wife of 30 years with her favorite foods and love notes scattered around the home every day during the month (even after all these years), to let her know he appreciates her.
Pastor Young says it's important to show your spouse you care every day with little acts of kindness, and what better way then some homemade goodies. After all, the saying goes "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." These recipes will satisfy your sweet tooth and your sweetie. These recipes are so easy you will wonder why you haven't made them before. Here's a look at some of my most favorite Valentine's Day recipes:
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
- Strawberries, you can use long-stemmed strawberries but they're more expensive and not necessary
- Candy melts or chocolate chips, I recommend using both milk chocolate and white chocolate
- Sprinkles, nuts, coconut shavings or any other item you wish to roll strawberries in (this is optional)
Place candy melts or chocolate chips in a medium saucepan and melt over low heat, stirring often. If you use both milk chocolate and white chocolate, place them in separate saucepans and melt. Once the chocolate is melted remove from heat. Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper. Dip the strawberries into the chocolate and let any excess drip off back into the pan. Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Once all the strawberries are done dip a fork in the chocolate and drizzle over the dipped strawberries. You can also coat the strawberries in the sprinkles, nuts or any other topping, giving it a more professional look.
Conversation Hearts Cheesecake
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups sour cream
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 stick butter, melted
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Food coloring: pink, purple, yellow, green, red and blue
You will also need a heart-shaped silicon mold, fine tip paint brush and roasting pan.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare your water bath for the cheesecakes by lining a pan with enough water to fill up halfway to the sides of the heart molds. Combine graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon and melted butter, stirring until it looks like sand. Spoon out a tablespoon of crumb mixture into each heart cavity and press the crumbs down firmly, making the crust even. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese on medium high until smooth. Add sugar and beat for one minute. Add eggs and beat until creamy. Next, add sour cream and vanilla and mix just to combine. Equally divide the filling among six bowls and add food coloring to each bowl to create the colors you want. Pour colored cheesecake filling into the heart molds. Set the mold into the water bath and bake for 15-28 minutes. Once cool use food coloring and fine tip paintbrush to paint conversation heart sayings in all capital letters.
Vanilla Bean Sprinkle Cookies With Chocolate Hearts
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1 bag Dove milk chocolate hearts
- 3/4 cup sprinkles
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with sugar and vanilla bean paste for 3 minutes. Add egg and beat until fully combined. Add salt and flour and stir. Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Pour sprinkles into a small bowl. Roll your dough balls into the sprinkles, coating dough completely. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and press an unwrapped chocolate heart into each cookie, gently. Allow to cool and set.