Valentine's Day Treats

Valentine's Day is on it's way and it's time to start thinking about that special gift for that special someone.  Whether you need to make treats for your child's classroom Valentine's Day party or you want to surprise your Valentine with a yummy dessert, these recipes are just what you're looking for.

 

If you love chocolate dipped strawberries, you will love my Chocolate Cupcakes With Almond Dipped Strawberries.  They combine chocolaty, moist cake with creamy almond flavored buttercream and they are topped off with a fresh strawberry.  YUM!!!  My Red Velvet Cupcakettes are sweet mini cupcakes with swirls of cream cheese frosting and are the perfect bites for your little Valentines and their classroom pals.  What is more delicious than Cherry Almond Buttercream Icing?  My Vanilla Cupcakes with Cherry Almond Buttercream Icing.  They are pretty-in-pink with a cherry on top!  If you need a quick and easy Valentine treat that only takes three store-bought ingredients, Heart's Delight Bites are the answer.  Send them with your little one to class and they will be voted every one's favorite Valentine.  Stuffed Strawberries are the perfect addition to your Valentine menu.  Whether you serve them at a holiday buffet or you make them for your Sweetie, no one will be able to resist the scrumptious combination of strawberries and almond cream cheese buttercream.  

 

I hope that these recipes will become part of your Valentine's Day celebration this year and that you have a sweet holiday!           

Heart's Delight Bites

"These little gems would be a perfect Valentine dessert for your Sweetie or an easy treat for your child's classroom Valentine's Day party.  The best part of this recipe is that it only takes three ingredients.  However you enjoy them this Valentine's Day, eat them to your Heart's Delight!!!" 

1 (15.24 ounce) package of chocolate snack cakes (I used Hostess Chocolate Zingers.)
1 (15.6 ounce) container of ready-made frosting (I used Duncan Hines cherry flavored frosting.)
Valentine's candy (like conversation hearts) and/or Valentine's themed sprinkles

Cut each chocolate snack cake into thirds.  Pipe or spoon on desired amount of frosting.  Place a conversation heart into frosting and top with sprinkles.  To serve, I placed each bite into mini baking cups.

Sweets for your Sweetie!

"Make one or all of these sweet recipes for your Valentine this year and you're sure to have a Happy Valentine's Day!"

 

*Just click on the link under each picture to go to the recipe.

 

Red Velvet Cupcakettes with Cream Cheese Frosting

 

 

Chocolate Cupcakes with Almond Dipped Strawberries

 

 



Stuffed Strawberries



Red Velvet Cupcakettes w/Cream Cheese Frosting

"These cute mini cupcakes will make a sweet treat for your Valentine this year!  They combine an easy red velvet cake mix and homemade cream cheese butter cream frosting into a one-bite delight."

"LOVE at first bite!!!"

Red Velvet Cupcakettes
1 Red Velvet cake mix (eggs, oil and water called for on the box)

Prepare batter by following the directions on the cake mix.  (TIP:  Remember to follow High Altitude directions, if applicable.)  Place cupcake liners in mini muffin tins or spray with non-stick cooking spray.  Spoon batter into tins, filling each 2/3 full.  Bake for 10-11 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean.  Allow cupcakes to cool completely.  Ice with Cream Cheese Butter Cream Frosting (Recipe follows) and decorate, if desired. 

Cream Cheese Butter Cream Frosting:

1-8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened

1 stick or 1/2 cup of butter, softened
2 Tablespoons shortening

2 pound bag of powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract

candy for decoration, if desired

Cream together cream cheese, butter and shortening.  Add powdered sugar a little at a time until combined.  Add vanilla and almond extracts.  Using a piping bag, swirl frosting on top of each cupcake and decorate.  Store in refrigerator until needed.

TIP:  If frosting is too stiff, you can thin it out with milk.  I have also used light corn syrup, which not only thins the frosting, but it also gives it a nice sheen.  Just add one Tablespoon at a time until you reach desired consistency.

"Don't you just LOVE Valentine's Day!"

To view more yummy cupcakes, please visit my Kandy's Kupcakes page:
http://kandyskitchenkreations.blogspot.com/p/kandys-kupcakes.html

Strawberry Shortcake With Strawberry Syrup

"Strawberry Shortcake is my absolute favorite dessert and I have it every year on my Birthday.  This year my Hubby made it with homemade shortcake and strawberry syrup.  It was so YUMMY!" 

Shortcake:

2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup or 1 stick cold butter

1 egg, beaten

2/3 cup milk

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Stir together flour, sugar and baking powder.  Cut in butter with a fork or pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Combine egg and milk and add to flour mixture.  Stir just to combine.  Pour into an 8-inch round cake pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.  Bake at 450 degrees for 15-18 minutes.  Cool and slice into wedges.  When ready to serve, cut wedges in half lengthwise and layer with macerated strawberries and strawberry syrup (recipes follow) and top with whipped cream.

Macerated Strawberries:

6 cups sliced strawberries

1/4 cup sugar

2 Tablespoons Grand Marnier or Triple Sec (orange flavored liqueur)

Stir together strawberries, sugar and orange liqueur.  Set aside until ready to assemble shortcake.

Strawberry syrup:

2 pounds strawberries

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

juice from 1/2 a lemon

Combine strawberries, sugar, water and lemon juice in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 10-15 minutes or until slightly thickened.  Remove from the heat and strain mixture through a sieve into a bowl.  Discard solids.  Cool syrup. 

Sweetened Whipped Cream:

1 pint heavy whipping cream

4 Tablespoons powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla  

Combine whipping cream, sugar and vanilla.  Beat at medium speed with electric mixer until soft peaks form.

To assemble shortcakes:

Layer shortcake, macerated strawberries, strawberry syrup and top with whipped cream. 

Vanilla Cupcakes with Cherry Almond Butter-Cream Icing

"My sister and I made these for my Birthday last week. They were delicious and oh sooo cute!"

Pretty In Pink!!!

Whenever the 'Box' is taken out, you know a whole lotta baking is going on!

Look at these adorable cupcake liners!

Ready for frosting.
 

I break out the 'Big guns' to mix the icing.

The frosting will be a thick, but spreadable consistency.

Perfect Piggy Pink Icing!

Happy Birthday To Me With a Cherry On Top!

RECIPE

Vanilla Cupcakes:
1 vanilla cake mix (I used Betty Crocker Supermoist French Vanilla cake mix.)
water, oil and eggs called for on the box (There were no adjustments necessary for High Altitude.)

Preheat oven and prepare cake mix according to package directions.  Place cupcake liners in cupcake/muffin tins. Divide batter evenly, filling each liner 2/3 full. Bake according to package directions for cupcakes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Frost with Cherry Almond Butter-Cream Icing (recipe follows).

Cherry Almond Butter-Cream Icing:

2 sticks of butter or 1 cup, softened

1 cup of shortening

2 pound bag of powdered sugar

2 teaspoons cherry extract
2 teaspoons of almond extract
1 teaspoon of vanilla
4 teaspoons of maraschino cherry juice, from jar of cherries 

Red food coloring

1 jar of maraschino cherries, for garnish

Cream together butter and shortening. Add powdered sugar a little at a time until all combined. Add cherry, almond and vanilla extracts. Add enough red food coloring to dye icing to the desired color (I used 10 drops). Frost cupcakes and decorate with maraschino cherries. Store in refrigerator until ready to eat.


To see more Yummy Cupcake Recipes, please visit my Kandy's Kupcakes page:
http://kandyskitchenkreations.blogspot.com/p/kandys-kupcakes.html