Valentine’s Day in elementary school meant exchanging cards with candy with all of your class mates and friends. As you get older, you may have grown out of the tradition, and you probably no longer make a decorated mailbox to receive your cards and treats, but that does not mean you have to stop giving out valentines. This year, make Valentine’s Day extra special with some great Valentine’s Day favor recipes.
Dipped nuts- this is a fun, easy, favor that will be relished by many. What you want to do is choose your favorite nuts. These can be walnuts, almonds, macadamia, pecans, or whatever. Make sure they are out of the shell, and in whole pieces.
Now, use a double broiler or makeshift double broiler (made by using a sauce pan with water, and a metal bowl atop of it) to melt a good quality dipping chocolate. You usually have to buy the chocolate in a brick, and then you shave off the chocolate so that it melts easier.
Put wax paper down on a baking sheet. Then dip your nuts. You can dip them half way, all the way, sprinkle. Etc. If you are feeling really creative you can choose to dip half in dark chocolate, then after it sets, dip the other side in white. Once covered in chocolate, place on the wax paper and let it dry. You will want to let it set out on the counter for a time, then stick it in the fridge so that it does not melt.
Dipped pretzels- these are a lot of fun, and can be done very creatively. With dipped pretzels it is most fun to get the fat, long, pretzel sticks. What you will want to do is melt your chocolate as advised above. Then dip your pretzel stick in either white or milk chocolate. Let set. Once set you can drizzle the other color of chocolate atop it for a more fun and festive favor. If you want to do something even more fun, do not let your chocolate set all the way and roll your pretzel stick in crushed nuts, toffee, or other small candies. You can then wrap the bottom in cellophane and tie with a bow or ribbon. This makes a really fun and tasty valentine favor.
Sugar cookie bites- sugar cookies are a classic Valentine’s Day treat. Put a twist on them by making very small little hearts, and topping them with conversation hearts. These bite sized delights are a great treat for your child’s Valentine Day party, or even just a fun addition to a husband’s lunch, or as a snack at your adult party or get together.
Caramel pecan turtles- For a quick and easy little Valentine Day favor, simply get a few packages of Rolos, a back of twist pretzels, and a bag of pecans. You are going to put wax paper on top of a baking sheet, place your pretzels on the sheet, and put one unwrapped Rolo atop each pretzel. Then heat in the over until the Rolos become soft and start to melt. Remove from over, and use a pecan to smash down the Rolo until it fills the spaces of the pretzel and holds the pecan in place. This is fast, tasty, and fun. And, if you choose the right pretzels, they will look like little hearts.
Of course other Valentine’s Day favors can be made but these are some fast, fun, and festive ideas that will add a little spark to your Valentine’s Day.
