We’re serving up some Cupid-approved recipes! After all, it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a few special indulgences, would it!? Enjoy and don’t forget to add the love!
Chocolate Decadence -Tiramisu
- 2 3-ounce packages ladyfingers, split
- 1/4 cup brewed espresso or strong coffee
- 8-ounce carton mascarpone cheese
- 1- cup whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- /3 -cup chocolate liqueur
- 1 ounce white chocolate baking squares or white baking bars, grated
- 1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, grated
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Chopped chocolate-covered coffee beans (optional)
Directions
1. Line the bottom of an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with some of the ladyfingers, cutting to fit as necessary. Drizzle half of the espresso over ladyfingers; set aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the mascarpone cheese, whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer just until stiff peaks form. Beat in the chocolate liqueur until just combined. Spoon half of the mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers, spreading evenly. Sprinkle white chocolate and bittersweet chocolate over the mascarpone mixture. Top with another layer of ladyfingers (reserve any remaining ladyfingers for another use). Layer with remaining espresso and mascarpone cheese mixture.
3. Cover and chill for 6 to 24 hours. Sift cocoa powder over top of dessert. If desired, garnish with cocoa beans.
4. Makes 12 squares
Source: BetterHomes&Gardens.com
Drinks, Please!
Pink Passion — Cosmopolitan
Ingredients
- 10 ounces (1 1/4 cups) citrus-flavored vodka
- 1/2 cup Rose’s lime juice
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- 4 ice cube trays
Directions
1. Combine vodka, lime juice, and cranberry juice in a pitcher
with 2 cups water and stir to blend.
2. Divide between ice cube trays
and freeze at least 4 hours or overnight.
(The drink cubes will freeze only partially).
3. Just before serving, empty trays into a large bowl and using a fork,
break up cubes to loosen ice crystals (the ice will be slush-like).
4. Spoon slush into tall stemmed glasses
and serve immediately.
Source: Myrecipes.com
Cupid’s Arrow — Chocolate Martini
Ingredients
- 2 ounces base spirit (vodka, light rum or brandy)
- 1/2 ounce chocolate liqueur
- 1/2 ounce white creme de cacao
- Chocolate syrup to coat rim of martini glass
Directions
Coat rim of martini glass with chocolate syrup.
Mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a martini glass.
Sweet on You! — Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 1 package (12.7 ounces) Valentine’s M&M’s
- 1 can (9-3/4 ounces) whole cashews
- 1 package (8 ounces) yogurt-covered raisins
- 1 package (3.53 ounces) dried cranberries
- 1 cup miniature pretzels
- 1 cup chocolate bear-shaped crackers
Directions
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container.
Source: Tastebook.com
Turn Up the Heat! — Authentic Restaurant Style Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes With Juice
- 2 cans (10 Ounce) Rotel (diced Tomatoes And Green Chilies)
- ¼ cups chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 whole jalapeno, quartered and sliced thin
- ¼ teaspoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ cups cilantro (more to taste!)
- ½ whole lime juice
Directions
1. Combine whole tomatoes, Rotel, onion, jalapeno, garlic, sugar, salt, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro in a blender or food processor.
2. Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you’d like — about 10 to 15 pulses. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed.
3. Refrigerate salsa for at least an hour. Serve with tortilla chips or (even more yummy) cheese nachos.
Source: Pioneerwoman.com/Ree Drummond
Puppy Love Pretzels
Ingredients
- 20 small mini pretzels
- 20 chocolate covered caramel candies
- 20 pecan halves
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
2. Arrange the pretzels in a single layer on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Place one chocolate covered caramel candy on each pretzel.
3. Bake for 4 minutes. While the candy is warm, press a pecan half onto each candy covered pretzel. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Source: Tastebook.comTop of Form
XOXO! — Brownie Hearts
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1-1/2 cup Valentine’s Day M&M’S® milk chocolate candies or M&M’S®
- peanut chocolate candies
- Medium size heart-shaped cookie cutters
- 1- 8 x 8-inch pan
- Cooking spray
Directions
1. Spray cooking spray into an 8 x 8-inch pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place butter and unsweetened chocolate into saucepan over low heat and melt. Stir
to make smooth, set aside to cool, about 5 minutes.
3. Add sugar and vanilla, stir to incorporate.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring to combine after each addition.
5. Add the flour, stirring to mix thoroughly.
6. Add 1 cup of the M&M chocolate candies and stir to combine.
7. Place into prepared pan, making sure the mixture is level and smoothed.
8. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the candies onto the top.
9. Place into the oven and bake 20-25 minutes, or until it tests done.
10. Let cool completely and cut with heart-shaped cookie cutter.
TIP: Use leftover brownie pieces to top your favorite ice cream, or mix them into a milkshake.
Source: brightideas.com
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