I’m basically Buddy the Elf when it comes to love. You know, the whole “I’M IN LOVE AND I DON’T CARE WHO KNOWS IT!” kind of excitement. So, naturally I’m all in when it comes to Valentine’s Day. We are also a family who is all in when it comes to food and having fun in the kitchen. After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season finally settled and I’ve finally caught my breath, in rolls February just bursting with opportunities to get creative in the kitchen and create all kinds of Valentine’s Day food.
Despite my constant effort around any holiday, baking is not my specialty. I admire those who do it well, but that is not me. It gets done, but let’s just say presentation is often lacking and I’m taking creative shortcuts when I can. Insert, a variety pack of heart-shaped cookie cutters for {almost} all of your Valentine themed goodies.
We typically spend one day per holiday really going after a good baking mess in the kitchen, it’s a completely unnecessary all day affair if I’m being honest. Yet, here we are again, making messes and memories the sweetest way we know how. HA, see what I did there?!
Cupid Chow
Yes, it’s the same take on the original “puppy chow” recipe! All the same peanut butter and chocolate deliciousness with a few Valentine themed additions. The recipe I used called for the following:
Melt together 1/2 cup peanut butter + 1 cup chocolate chips + 1/2 cup butter and pour over about 9 cups of rice Chex cereal. Once mixed, pour about 2 cups of powdered sugar over and mix well {but be careful, those little cereal pieces are fragile}. Lastly, add in whatever Valentine themed extras you want–we did pink and red peanut butter M&M’s and heart shaped sprinkles!
Strawberry Cream Cheese Truffles
This Valentine’s Day food is like a cake pop from Starbucks only less ascetically pleasing.
To make: 1 box of strawberry cake mix {microwaved for about a minute to kill the bacteria} mixed together with 1 oz package of cream cheese. Set that in the fridge for about 2 hours then use a cookie scoop to form into balls. Take whatever melting chocolate you want and dip the cake balls into the mixture. I {attempted} to top it with extra Valentine themed icing and now we can all agree cake decorating is not in my future.
Cake Mix Cookies
My best friend has been making these for probably 15 years and they never, EVER, get old. They’re perfect and so easy. And, here’s where my cookie cutter hack comes to play.
Mix together 1 box of strawberry cake mix, 2 eggs, and 1/3 cup oil and bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. See, instead of using the cookie cutter BEFORE and stressing myself with wondering if they will keep their shape, I used the cookie cutter AFTER. I’m certain this is not a new hack, but it saved me time and stress and the cookies are adorable. Plus, the edges are my favorite and I saved those all for myself.
Valentine Waffles or Pancakes
See, we’re going to use this concept of the cookie cutter after cooking here too. I want to be the mom that cooks up a big beautiful themed breakfast, but I’m not. Not even going to put those expectations on myself. But, I can make pancakes or frozen waffles and use my beloved’s cookie cutter to make those waffles into hearts real quick. I might even top with some strawberries and whipped cream if I’m feeling extra festive.
Heart Shaped Pizza
Yep, you guessed it. Bring out the cookie cutter. I know there are really cute heart shaped pizzas to make at home. Forming the dough into a heart and decorating it together. It sound cute, and I’m sure it is. But honestly, we’re probably using frozen pizza at our house. Lets take the easy button and put those holiday cookie cutters to use and make heart shaped pizzas for everyone!
XO, Booze
Is it a holiday if I’m not making a themed cocktail? Ask my neighbors, and they’ll tell you. After a few searches, I decided to try to make a variation of a few drinks that looked appealing and landed on this beauty to enjoy by itself or with my other Valentine’s Day food.
Shake up 2 oz of gin with 1 oz of simple syrup, lemon juice, pomegranate juice, and 1 egg white for that foamy top. Oh, and ice. Lets add some ice to the shaker. Pour over your fanciest glass and cheers to making it through yet another holiday!
Do you make any fun and easy Valentine’s Day food with your kids? Share your ideas with us! XOXO
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