Quick and Easy Valentine’s Treats

I always love making a themed dessert for friends, coworkers, and family for Valentine’s Day. I wanted to put together some cute and quick recipes that you can make this week! I always look to Pinterest for all of my recipe ideas.

Valentine’s M&M Cookies (Credit: CelebratingSweets)

• 1.5 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened but cool
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1.5 cups or 1 package Valentine’s color M&M’s

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Using a mixer, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Once combined, add in the egg and vanilla extract.
4. On a low speed, slowly add in the flour mixture and mix until combined.
5. Gently stir in the M&M’s by hand. Do not turn on your mixture, it may crush the M&M’s. Keep some M&M’s to the side to press onto the top of each mound of cookie dough
6. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, until the edges of the cookies are set but the center is still underdone to create a soft cookie.

Cupid Chow (Credit: YourCupofCake)

• 5 cups Rice Chex cereal
• 3/4 cup white chocolate melts or chips
• 1/4 cup chocolate melts or chips
• 2 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 1/2 tbsp. milk
• 1 cup Red Velvet cake mix
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• Valentine’s colored M&M’s
• Heart sprinkles (optional)

1. Measure out the Rice Chex cereal and place in large bowl.
2. Place cake mix and powdered sugar into a large plastic bag.
3. Melt chocolates together in the microwave or stove stop until smooth
4. Stir in cream cheese and milk.
5. Pour chocolate mixture over Rice Chex cereal and stir until coated.
6. Dump cereal into bag with powdered sugar and cake mix. Shake until coated.
7. Dump onto a cookie sheet and let cool.
8. Mix with colorful hearts or sprinkles and serve.

Heart Shaped Rice Crispy Treats Dipped in White Chocolate

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 package marshmellows
• 6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Cereal
• 1 package white chocolate melts or chips
• Pink food coloring (optional) or Valentine’s themed sprinkles

1. In a large pan, melt butter on low heat. Add in the marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat and add in Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.
2. Evenly press into a 13x9x2 inch pan coated with cooking spray. Use a buttered spatula to spread evenly. Use a heart cookie cutter cut the treats and set aside on a plate.
3. Once chocolate is melted dip the rice crispy treats half way in the chocolate. Place finished treats onto wax paper and let them set for about 15 minutes.

This year I sent treats to my family! For some other ideas you could consider:

• Delivery of cookies from Levain or Bang Cookies
• Red Velvet Waffles or Waffle/Pancake board on Valentine’s morning
• Create a Valentine’s Dessert board
• Order a heart shaped pizza to-go (I think Papa John’s in certain locations still does this)