This and that: Candies

Ideas for Valentines

Valentine's is coming fast ~ Less then a week.

I am off this year, so I am sure that I will make something special for Dinner and maybe for Breakfast

I wrote an article over at the Daily Dish Magazine with meal ideas that could be used.

If you need some ideas head over there.

Last year I made BBQ ribs, boiled smashed potatoes and a Caesar salad

I also made some Valentine Chocolate Caramels and Cream Cheese Stuffed Strawberries.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Strawberries.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Strawberries
1 lb strawberries, washed, hulled and bottom of strawberries trimmed so they will stand
1/2 lb cream cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar
chocolate for melting
toffee bits for garnish

Wash, hull, (taking a little more of the strawberry out to leave a hole) and cut the bottoms of the strawberries slightly so that they will stand. Set aside. Once the strawberries are dry, melt chocolate and dip the bottom half of the strawberry in the chocolate. Let chocolate harden. Whip Cream Cheese and powdered sugar together, place in decorator bag. Pipe cream cheese mixture in the hulled part of the strawberry. Sprinkle toffee bits over the top of the cream cheese. Serve and enjoy.

I had a Valentine's Party on my Facebook page, a couple of weeks ago and got many great ideas to share that could be made for this occasion. Or any occasion for that matter.

I hope you enjoy this wonderful array of goodies to make.

Photo credit goes to the owner of the blog from which the recipe is from ~ see descriptions below

Starting from the top and going across:
Black Bean Brownie Cupcakes from Nom Eat Nom ~ I have always wanted to try baking with black beans and these sound so good. Maybe these will get me started on my Wheat Free Diet.
Princess Cupcakes from My Foodie Universe ~ These cupcakes are vegan and use beet puree or raspberry puree for the colouring instead of food dye. Perfect for those that don't want their children to be hyper.
Truffles from Sandi's Allergy Free Recipes ~ Truffles that are gluten free and milk free using coconut milk and dairy free dark chocolate. I am going to have to try these.
Brown Butter Snickerdoodles from Couponing & Cooking ~ Snickerdoodles with a Valentine twist.. I am going to have to go out and find some Heart Dove chocolate.
Madeline's Paris Apple Cake from Cozycakes Cottages ~ Anything with Paris in must be for Valentines... as isn't Paris the city of Love.
Candy Heart Chocolate Cupcakes from Just Dip It in Chocolate ~ I love anything chocolate and the stained glass appearance of the candy hearts makes them beautiful.
Cheesecake Balls from Real Housemoms ~ Another one of my favorite things cheesecakes and decorating them with valentine sprinkles make them oh so special.
Truffle Tart from The Baking Fairy ~ This tart is describe as a buttery short crisp shortbread filled with a chocolate filling that tastes like a Lindt truffle. Heavenly.
Chocolate Cake Hearts with Cream Cheese Frosting from Who Needs A Cape ~ No one will be able to resist these cute heart cupcakes.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries from Sandi's Allergy Free Recipes ~ I don't think Valentine's can be complete without chocolate covered Strawberries and they are even more perfect if you make them yourself.
Old Fashion Fudge from Yesteryears ~ I know that I would be putty in your hands if you gave me a piece of this melt- in - you mouth fudge..
Black Forest Brownies from Bibi's Culinary Journey ~Black Forest in a brownie shaped as a Valentine, now this would be perfect.
Almond Toffee Bites from Sandi's Allergy Free Recipes ~This would be perfect in our house as it is made with Almond Butter instead of Peanut Butter.
Mini Chocolate Cups with Strawberries from I Like to Bake and Cook ~ An easy dessert made of chocolate and strawberries
Red Velvet Cupcakes from Feeding Big ~Red velvet a perfect Valentine's treat
Chocolate Raspberry Shortbread from The Rowdy Baker ~ I am a big shortbread fan and combine it with chocolate... YUM!

So many ideas, so little time. They are all so perfect, I am going to have a hard time to pick out something for my Valentine as I would like to make them all.

What have you made for Valentine's Dinner? I would love to know.

✻ღϠ₡ღ✻ Marlys