Valentine’s Day Goodies

I was reading through Parents Magazine (February 2011 issue, page 104-105) and came across the most yummy looking Valentine's treats! I can't wait to make them for grandma's and grandpa's for Valentine's Day!! It's also a great way to involve your children in the treat making process…

Do they not just look DELISH?!

Peanut Butter Balls

Mix 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temp, and ½ tsp. vanilla in large bowl.

Knead mixture until smooth, adding up to ½ cup more powdered sugar as needed to prevent sticking.

Roll dough into 1" balls and set on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet; chill 1 hour.
Line 2 more cookie sheets with wax paper; set aside. Place assorted sprinkles in shallow bowls.

Microwave 1 ½ cup light cocoa candy melts, stirring every 15 seconds, until smooth. Drop the balls 5 at a time in the melted chocolate to coat. Remove balls with fork, allowing excess chocolate to drip off. Roll balls in sprinkles to coat. Place on lined cookie sheets. Repeat with the remaining balls, then chill until chocolate is set.

*Makes about 40 peanut-butter balls. (Keep your pint-size candy makers busy rolling the dough into balls.)

Cream Cheese Melts

Mix 4 oz. cream cheese, 1 Tsp. butter, 1 Tsp light corn syrup, and ¼ tsp. mint extract in a large bowl until smooth.

Gradually beat in 3 cups powdered sugar. When the mixture starts to come together, turn it out onto a clean work surface and knead, adding up to ½ cup more sugar to prevent sticking, until dough is smooth.

Divide dough into three even pieces. Tint one part Dark pink, one part light pink, and leave third part white.

Roll each portion into a 15"-long rope. Twist the 3 ropes together and roll into a single rope about ¾" wide; flatten slightly and cut into ¾" tri-colored pieces.

Spread the mints out in a single layer on parchment-lined baking sheets; cover and chill about 4 hours.

*Makes about 50 pieces.

This is just 2 of 4 delishous looking recipes that you should try. Check out Parent.com for more awesome Valentine's Ideas.