How to Make Homemade Valentine Treats

Eat, love and eat some more on Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day is a day for lovers, true, but it's also a day to indulge in sweet treats. Whipping up a batch or two of delicious delights doesn't have to be an all-day chore. After all, the day is better spent with the one you love. These Valentine's Day treats are fast, easy and so delicious you'll fall in love.

Things You'll Need

• 1 lb. large strawberries with stems
• 2 cookie sheets
• Waxed paper
• Bowl
• 16-oz. bag of pink melting wafers
• 1 bag miniature white chocolate chips
• Melting wafers in assorted colors
• Bowl
• Valentine candy molds
• Heart-shaped muffin tins
• Butter
• Chocolate cake mix
• Cooling rack
• 16-oz. semi-sweet chocolate
• Large bowl
• 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 4 tbsp. butter
• Whisk
• Saucepan
• Valentine candies (your choice)

Instructions

Pink Candy Strawberries

1. Rinse 1 lb. of large strawberries with stems in cool water and set aside to dry. Line two cookie sheets with waxed paper.

2. 

   Pour a 16-oz. bag of pink melting wafers in a bowl. Heat the wafers in your microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir the candy, then heat on high for another 30 seconds. Repeat until the candy is smooth.

3. Hold each strawberry by its stem and dip it into the melted candy, carefully turning each berry to coat all sides. Immediately roll each berry in the miniature white chocolate chips, then place them on the waxed paper to dry.

4. Allow the berries to set for 30 to 60 minutes in a cool, dry place. If you do not plan to eat them right away, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator.

Candy Hearts

1. 

   Place a 12-oz. or 16-oz. bag of melting wafers in the color or flavor of your choice (milk chocolate, pink, white, red) in a bowl. Place the candy in your microwave and melt on high for 30 seconds. Stir the candy and melt for another 30 seconds. Repeat until candy is smooth.

2. Spoon the melted candy into your molds (hearts, cupids). Place the molds in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes or until the candies have hardened.

3. Turn the molds upside down and pop out the finished candies. Store in an airtight container.

Easy Valentine Petit Fours

1. Grease your heart-shaped muffin tins with butter and set aside. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

2. 

   Prepare the chocolate cake recipe of your choice (from a box or from scratch). Spoon the mixture into your prepared muffin tins. Bake for 10 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centers of the petit fours comes out clean. Cooking time will vary depending on recipe and pan size.

3. Remove petit fours from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove petit fours from the tins and place them on the wire rack. When the petit fours have completely cooled, prepare the ganache.

4. Chop 16 oz. of semi-sweet chocolate, place it in a bowl and set aside.

5. 

   Combine 1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream and 4 tbsp. butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and immediately pour over the chopped chocolate. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes, then, using a whisk, stir vigorously until the mixture is smooth.

6. Pour the warm ganache over the tops of your petit fours. Top each petit four with Valentine's Day candy. Once the ganache has set, cover your petit fours and store in a cool, dry place.

References

• Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Molded Candy
• Ganache

Resources

• Home & Family Network: Holiday Cooking
• Valentine's Day Recipes
• Hershey's Kitchens: Valentine Desserts