Ideas for Valentine's day treats and gifts
Every year we fork out for treats and gifts for loved ones and that special someone when we could be saving money and having fun at the same time. As with DIY projects, the feeling of self-satisfaction that comes from making a gift is one that will lift your day and boost your spirits, so give it a try this year.
Make up a batch of peanut butter and smarties cookies or chocolate chip cookies for someone you love, or let the kids present them to a secret love - or teacher. CD envelopes provide the perfect packaging when accompanied by a printed gift tag. via eighteen25
Over at pint sized baker you can find out how to make Valentine's cake pops. These are great for a Valentine's celebration and for the kids to give as a teacher appreciation gift. These quick and easy treats can by made with pink marshmallows if you would rather not bake them. You can also find the marshmallow cake pops below on mommy gaga.
I love these Valentine treats from i am baker. To make these treats she wrapped Oreos in fondant and then decorated with royal icing. How cute...! You could wrap any biscuits in this way and hand them out as a Valentine's gift. And don't forget that you can even make your own Oreo biscuits.
For those who prefer a healthier alternative to sweets and candies, twig & thistle offers this naturally sweet idea for Valentine's day. Print out stickers than can be put onto fresh fruit and presented as a gift. The apple is definitely a lovely teacher appreciation gift idea.
You can't go wrong with cupcakes on Valentine's day, especially when dressed for the occasion. Even a non-baker can whip up a box of cake mix.
Truffles anyone...? Make these easy chocolate truffles as a Valentine's treat. For these gorgeous chocolate truffles you can use a cake mix, rather than mix up your own and that means it's normally guaranteed to be flop proof! Come up with your original own designs, colour combinations, and sprinkle choices to make personalized cake truffles.
And because we know that they are some of you who don't do cooking, why not make chocolate-dipped strawberries. Use a double-boiler to melt your chocolate and then dip in the fresh strawberries... what could be easier...!
What's Valentine's day without chocolate! La dolce vita substituted a sugar biscuit recipie with a choccie biscuit and then iced them as Valentine treats. Or try this equally yummy chocolate alternative.
YOU WILL NEED:
3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
HERE'S HOW:
1. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, cocoa powder, and espresso powder. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy - about 3 minutes.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and beat to combine. Reduce speed to low and gradually add flour mixture, mixing until combined and smooth. (Make sure you scrape down the sides of the bowl and dig way down to the bottom too to bring up any dry bits. It took me about 3 tries of scraping the bottom before it was finally all incorporated.)
4. Turn out onto a clean work surface.
5. Divide dough in half, press out into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap.
6. Chill in refrigerator for at least an hour.
7. Preheat oven to 180°C Line baking sheets with wax paper; set aside. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out chilled dough to 3mm thick. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters and transfer shapes to prepared baking sheets, brushing off any extra flour from the tops. Reroll scraps as needed.
8. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are firm and the centres are slightly puffed. (Mine were perfect at 8 minutes.) Let cool on baking sheet for several minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, decorate with frosting or royal icing.