Thumb Print Heart Sugar Cookies
You'll need a roll of refrigerated sugar cookie dough, an egg yolk, red food coloring and decorations. Place the cookie dough in the freezer for 30 minutes. Beat the egg yolk in a small bowl and add 10 drops of red food coloring.
Cut the chilled dough into 1/4 inch slices. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Dip thumb or index finger in egg mixture to generously coat with color. Press finger onto each slice of dough at an angle twice to make a heart shape. Sprinkle with red sugar or other decorations.
Bake for 7-11 minutes at 350 degrees. When cookies are completely cool, you can use red frosting or gel to write names or messages on your cookies around the heart!
Valentine's Day Snack
Submitted by Laura
Make rice crispy squares following the directions on the box. Add red food coloring. Cut square pieces of foil and tape valentine messages to the corner of each piece of foil. Push the rice crispy mix into a greased funnel. Any size will do. Wrap each kiss in the foil with the message hanging out. You have yourself Valentine's Day Kisses. It was so cute. You have to try it.
Valentine Bear Pancakes
We read the Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting and then make these teddy bear pancakes.
Need: Pancake batter, metal teddy bear shaped cookie cutter, hot plate, small knife, sugar, cinnamon and strawberry jam. Mix up the pancake batter as you usually would, then place the cookie cutter on the pan and fill up with batter. Let it cook until the batter is firm enough to remove the cutter. Then flip and cook until done. Sprinkle lightly with sugar and cinnamon. Then with a small paring knife, cut a small heart from each bear cake. Then spoon in strawberry jam into the heart. Enjoy!
Cupid's Arrow
Armed with a candy heart and cinnamon gum, this arrow is guaranteed to hit its mark every time.
Need:
Six-inch wooden skewer, Pack of gum, Gumdrop heart, Glue & Tissue paper. Under 1 Hour and your done. Simply stick a six-inch wooden skewer through a pack of gum and stab it with a gumdrop heart. Finish it by gluing tissue paper strips to the end to create a feathery effect.
Cupid's Cupcakes
If you're helping out with a school or Scout Valentine's party, you'll want to be sure the guests get their just desserts, like heart-shaped cupcakes. They're easy to make and require no special pans or molds. To make some, line your cupcake tins with baking liners. Then prepare a batch of your favorite batter and fill the cups halfway. Place a small marble or a 1/2-inch ball of aluminum foil between each liner and one side of the tin (a great job for kids). This will push the paper into the batter to form the notch in the heart.
Bake the cupcakes at the temperature specified by your recipe but check for doneness a few minutes early. Let the cupcakes cool, then remove the marbles or foil balls. Frost with icing and top with colored sugar or sprinkles.
Sweet Hearts Heart-Shaped Krispy Treats
This colorful new twist on a classic treat is a great gift for your child to give to anyone she's sweet on this Valentine.
Need: Cooking spray, 3 tablespoons margarine, 6 cups mini (or 60 regular-size) marshmallows, Red food coloring, 9 cups Rice Krispies cereal, Heart-shaped cookie cutter, Plastic bags, yarn
To begin, lightly coat a 10- by 15-inch baking sheet with cooking spray and set it aside. Melt the margarine in a large pot over low heat. Add the marshmallows, stirring them continuously until they melt. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in drops of red food coloring until the color receives a thumbs-up from the chef. Add the Rice Krispies, stirring until they are evenly coated with marshmallow. Spoon the mixture onto the baking sheet. With waxed paper (or lightly buttered hands), smooth out the mixture, spreading it to an even thickness. Cut out hearts with the cookie cutter. Place each heart in a clear plastic bag, tie on a yarn bow, and they're ready for giving. Makes seven 5-inch hearts.
Cupid's Love Potion
When Cupid invites guests over, this is the beverage he serves. For the first time ever, he has graciously agreed to share his magic recipe, which also happens to make an excellent dessert drink for Valentine's Day dinner.
Need: 12-ounce can pink lemonade concentrate, 1 cup raspberry sherbert, 12-ounce can of lemon/lime soda (we used 7-Up)
In a pitcher, mix the lemonade concentrate with the recommended amount of water. In a separate pitcher, combine the sherbert with 1 cup of the lemonade mixture. Add the soda, stir, and serve. Makes 3 cups.
