Valentine’s day isn’t just about romance. It’s the perfect chance to show all those people who light up your life just how much you care. These treats from the Spelts’ kitchen are sure to help you show the love.

PHOTOS AND RECIPES
BY MELISSA SPELTS

Cake Pops for Cuties

What a fun treat to show how much you LOVE your family. These Valentine inspired and decorated cake pops will be a hit!

1 box of red velvet or chocolate
cake mix (or your favorite)
1 container of whipped frosting
1 pkg. Vanilla candy-coating 16 oz.
Sprinkles
White plastic treat sticks
Piece of Styrofoam (to stick finished cake pops into)

1. Follow the instructions on the back of your cake mix box. Mix your eggs, oil, and water and bake in the oven. Once baked let cool and mash the cake with your fingers.
2. Add 1 to 2 Tablespoons of vanilla whipped frosting to your mashed cake. Mix it together until the consistency is good enough to roll into tight balls. Use an ice cream scooper to scoop out the cake mixture to keep the portion size the same.
3. Roll cake mixture into small balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in fridge for 20 minutes.
4. Melt your candy coating chocolate in a bowl 30 seconds at a time until fully melted. This will keep your chocolate from burning. Stir between each 30 second increment.
5. We bought white plastic treat sticks from Walmart. Dip 1⁄2 an inch of the stick in melted chocolate and push down the chocolate side into cake ball. The melted chocolate will help the stick stay in the cake ball. Put back in your fridge for 15 minutes.
6. Dip cake ball in melted chocolate and decorate with sprinkles. Use Styrofoam to place the cooling cake pops.
7. Place in fridge for another 5 minutes and then eat!

These treats are perfect for any occasion. They are so versatile for any season or holiday..

Brownie Bowl a la Mode

This dessert is not made from scratch, but it is so yummy. If you have a favorite brownie recipe, use it.

Brownie Mix
Ice Cream
Chocolate syrup
Caramel syrup
Whip cream
Sprinkles (optional)
Muffin Tin
Nonstick spray

Follow the instructions on the back of the box.
Our favorite brownies mix is Ghirardelli Double Chocolate, but aren’t all brownies delicious?

Once you have your batter made, pour into a nonstick sprayed muffin tin. Remember that brownies rise in the oven, so don’t fill all the way up. I usually fill the tins 3⁄4 of the way. Bake for the said time on the box or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the brownies. I used a cup to press down in the middle of the brownies, forming a bowl.

Add ice cream and any of your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Sweetheart’s Parfait

This dessert is fast, YUMMY, and sugar free. Add your favorite fruit. Mine are… strawberries, blueberries, and bananas. Alternate fruit with my sugar free whipped cream in a clear cup. I’ve even used clear plastic cups for my kids. Enjoy!

1 cup strawberries, chopped into bite size pieces
1 cup bananas, sliced
1 cup blueberries
1 pint of sugar-free whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla
Agave to taste

Mix whipping cream, agave and vanilla in medium mixing bowl for 3 to 5 minutes or until stiff. Layer fruit and cream into clear glasses or small bowls and serve.

RECIPES FROM WHATTOEAT4DINNER.COM