Valentine’s Day for me is just like any other day with Jack and I. Long time ago we agreed that it seems to be a “makeup” day for so many couples who are not being loving the other 364 days a year. So, we try to use this day to show people we love them. In the past, Jack has ordered our single or newly single friends flowers or brought them cookies. Just a way to say “hey, you are loved!” I encourage you to look around you and think of others on this day of love. It does not have to be a mushy passionate holiday but one that we use to show those around us that we care!
So, if you want to make some easy treats….I have 2 here that are simple and delicious.
Chocolate Chip Cake Pops
1 box white cake mix, prepared according to package
1 tub creamy cream cheese frosting
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1 package Wilton Dark Chocolate Candy Melts, melted according to package instructions
1 package Wilton White Candy Melts
2 pint sized Ball mason jars
Valentine Sprinkles
left over foam or florist foam block
1 package Wilton lollipop sticks
In a large bowl put the prepared cake into it and begin to crumble till it is in fine crumbles. Add 1/2 of the tub of frosting and stir just till it will hold together. Add more as needed. Using a small cookie scoop dip out the cake balls and roll into uniformly shaped balls. Freeze for one hour. Melt the chocolate candy melts in each of the mason jars. To make the cake pop simply: dip the end of lollipop stick in the chocolate and insert it 1/2 way into the cake pop. Then dip the entire pop into the mason jar with the chocolate you prefer. Allow the chocolate to drip off the excess into the jar and then place in the boat block. Immediately sprinkle with Valentine sprinkle and let them dry.
Triple Chocolate Cookies
1 cup Braum’s unsalted butter
1½ cups sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 eggs
3 tablespoons strong coffee
2⅔ – 3 cups all purpose flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 package semi sweet chocolate chips
1 tub chocolate fudge frosting
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cream together the butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. In another large bowl stir together the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Using an electric mixer slowly alternate adding in the dry ingredients with the coffee. Continue till all of it is mixed together. Beat in the chocolate chips. The dough will be a bit sticky yet can form a ball. Using a cookie scoop place balls of dough on the baking sheet and bake for 9 minutes. They will be puffy yet soft! Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack. Warm the frosting in the microwave for 30 seconds and then place a spoonful of frosting over the top of the cookies. Allow the frosting to harden before placing on a plate.