Valentine’s Day Recipe Roundup

Valentine’s Day is upon us. They say the way to the heart is through the stomach. This has always been my thought and holds true since prehistoric times. Some argue that the cave man whacked his favored mate on the head with a wooden club, then dragged her unconscious self to his lair. Anthropologists propose a more sensible approach whereby said cave man presents his bride with a bountiful hunt and wins her heart with the promise of plenty. Similar to how the “sugar daddy” men of modern society shower their ladies with luxurious gifts.

Speaking of sugar, food is nourishing and conveys affection. It is at the center of social gatherings and so, it makes perfect sense we should use it to lure romance. I say this to you while munching on a Haagen-Dazs bar. Like the cave woman, food played a big role in my meeting Shawn. It continues to retain our bond. This Valentine’s Day, we will continue our tradition of enjoying New England crab cakes at home with our little blue-eyed beauty. As for gifts, I have a few sweet ideas in mind for him.

Personalized Fortune Cookies

Many years ago, a girlfriend and I tried baking fortune cookies to give to our husbands for Valentine’s Day. The experience ended in disaster and we resorted to buying gifts the old fashioned way, instead. This year, BonAppetit Magazine has me convinced I can do it.

Here is what you need for this adorable project:
*Parchment paper cut into 1/2″ x 2″ pieces
*A Sharpie (the ink is nontoxic)
*12 store-bought won ton wrappers
*4 Tb melted butter
*2 Tb sugar
*A cupcake pan
*25 minutes of your time

Red Apple Cupcakes
Is there anything sweeter than a cupcake? These cute little apple cupcakes are both easy and fun to make with the kids. You can use boxed cake mix and ready-made frosting or make your own from scratch. For the decoration, you can use red frosting or make cream cheese + butter then dust it with sparkly red sugar, which is what I plan. For the stem, chocolate Tootsie Rolls work great, but pretzel sticks are even easier. The leaves can be cut from green fruit roll, molded from marzipan or simply green M&Ms. Whatever you do, these are sure to win over your sweetheart.

Here is what you need for these sweeties:
*Red cupcake wrappers
*A cupcake pan
*Cake mix
*Frosting
*Pretzel sticks
*Green M&Ms
*Red sparkly sugar
*A little pair of helping hands
Amy’s Almond CookiesThese almond cookies have been doing cartwheels in my head ever since I saw this beautiful photo on my friend Janine’s blog Happy Happy Nester. She has such a sunny style that echoes her personality. The fact that the recipe is her mom’s just proves these cookies are going to taste like the bombdiggity.

Chocolate Buttons

The way to my heart is always via chocolate. I’m quite picky about my chocolate and only share it with those close to my heart. I can’t think of anything more irresistible than Taste of Beirut’s Chocolate Buttons. Crowned with a fleck of genuine 24-karat gold, these crisp bite-sized cookies wrapped in rich chocolate ganache are both luxuriously rich and cute as a button.

Basic Chocolate Truffles

I often read through my own blog, looking for dinner or dessert ideas. A long-time favorite is my basic truffle recipe. There is nothing complicated about the ingredients list nor the technique. This is a great one to get the kids involved. Foodaciously put a nice twist on the Truffle recipe too, making high-protein honey truffles with a very similar technique – best yet, no one has to know how easy these luxurious treats were to make.

Coconut Tres Leches Skillet Cake
Skillet. Coconut. Tres Leches. Need I say more?

Cookie Dough TrufflesIf you are looking for something more fancy, whip up a batch of Double-Dipped Chocolate Cookie Dough Truffles. Take my basic chocolate chip cookie dough recipe, nix the eggs, add raw pistachios and there you go. Remember to sample the batch to confirm quality. I promise they will leave you speechless.

Honey Apple Cake
As sweet as its name, this honey apple cake comes from one of my most favorite bloggers, the globe-trotting David of Cocoa & Lavender. Apples are a year-round favorite at the homestead. I know it’s sure to earn me some brownie points at home.

Apple Pie CakeThis clever hybrid inspired the recipe for my pecan streusel-topped apple pie. The picture is just so tantalizing, I cannot stop staring at it. Can you? It screams old fashioned comfort, just the sort of thing that fills a home with love.

Lemon Poppyseed Cake
An old favorite brings back good memories. I remember when I made this light and fluffy poppyseed sponge cake brushed with lemon syrup. Daisy couldn’t stop eating it and Shawn said it was the best thing I had ever made. Who can top that?

Do you know what you are going to do for your sweetheart? I still have no idea. One thing I do know is that I’m going to see what my beautiful little culinary consultant, Daisy has to say. Together, we will choose something and make Daddy’s an extra-special present. Instead of hitting the shops, make your Valentine’s gift.

Homemade Fortune Cookies
Red Apple Cupcakes
Amy’s Almond Cookies
Chocolate Buttons
Basic Chocolate Truffles
Coconut Tres Leches Skillet Cake
Cookie Dough Truffles
Honey Apple Cake
Apple Pie Cake
Lemon Poppyseed Cake