I'm having family over for coffee this morning (all adults) and since today is Valentine's Day I though I would make these chocolate-raspberry hearts to go with the coffee. I actually ate them at a friends house and she told me it was a Pillsbury recipe. As most of you know I just love pillsbury recipes so I jumped at the idea of making them for my Valentine coffee hour. I think it adds just right touch for a simple coffee get-together too.

Chocolate-Raspberry Hearts Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet
• 1/3 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread
• 24 raspberries
• 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 375°F. Line large cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper.

2. Unroll dough sheet; cut into 8 squares. Place squares on cookie sheet.

3. Spoon 2 teaspoons of the chocolate-hazelnut spread onto 1 side of each square. Top each with 3 raspberries and 4 chocolate chips. Fold dough over filling; press edges to seal. Form each into heart shape as shown by pressing indentation in center to form top of heart while rounding sides of heart with hands. Brush with egg.

4. Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until hearts are golden brown.

5. In small microwavable bowl, mix remaining 1 tablespoon chocolate-hazelnut spread and remaining 1 tablespoon chocolate chips. Microwave uncovered on High 45 to 60 seconds or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Spoon into resealable food-storage plastic bag. Seal bag; cut off tiny corner of bag. Sprinkle hearts with powdered sugar. Squeeze bag to drizzle each with chocolate mixture.

Heart Shaped Individual Pizza

Hey guys for those of you who don't know it; February is Creative Romance Month so I thought I would post about heart shaped individual pizzas as a creative way to make a pizza for your loved ones. This is one of Pillsburys "20 Minute Recipes for Romance" and I think this is a fun idea for all those thousands of pizza lovers out there. You know your kids would love this for a Valentine's Day supper.  ;)

Recipe: Valentine Pizzas

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can (13.8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated classic pizza crust or 1 can (11 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated thin pizza crust
• 1 can (8 oz) pizza sauce
• 24 slices turkey pepperoni with 70% less fat
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (3 oz)

DIRECTIONS
1.If using classic crust: Heat oven to 425°F. Lightly spray or grease large cookie sheet. If using thin crust: Heat oven to 400 F. Spray or grease 15x10-inch or larger dark or nonstick cookie sheet.
2.Unroll dough on work surface. With sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut dough into 4 rectangles. Place rectangles on cookie sheet. Cut 1-inch slit in center of wide edge of each dough portion; on opposite wide edge across from slit, pinch dough together to shape point of heart. Slightly separate each cut slit, and gently press dough into a 6x5-inch heart, creating slight rim on edge of dough.
3.Divide pizza sauce evenly onto hearts, spreading to within 1/2 inch of edges. Top each with 6 slices pepperoni and 3 tablespoons cheese.
4.Bake classic crust 13 to 16 minutes, thin crust 9 to 13 minutes, or until crust edges are golden brown and cheese is melted.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Bake up to 2 minutes longer.

It's all about the heart this week so here's my pick for cookies. When it comes to baking cookies for a special day, special friend or special get-together; I have always favored the look of layered cookies. I really love the 2 and 3 dimension they have & how beautiful they look without spending all day painting with icing. Another reason why I like these is because you very seldom see layered cookies in stores. Because of this it makes the gift that-much-more-special. Here's a good example of a layered cookie by Pillsbury.

Chocolate-Almond Layered Hearts Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 roll (18 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated sugar cookies
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup finely chopped almonds
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove 2/3 of cookie dough from wrapper and place in medium bowl; refrigerate remaining dough until needed. Stir or knead flour, almonds and almond extract into dough in bowl until well blended.

2. On floured surface with rolling pin, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness (about 12-inch round). Cut with floured 2 1/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter; place on ungreased cookie sheets.

3. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet.

4. Meanwhile, in small bowl, place remaining 1/3 of dough. Stir or knead in cocoa until well blended. On floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness (about 8-inch round). Cut with floured 1-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter; place on ungreased large cookie sheet.

5. Bake 5 to 6 minutes or just until set. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet.

6. In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and oil on High 30 seconds. Stir. Microwave 10 to 15 seconds longer until smooth. Place melted chocolate in small resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal bag. Cut 1/8-inch hole in bottom corner of bag.

7. Squeeze bag to pipe small amount of chocolate on center of each large heart cookie. Top each with 1 small heart cookie. Drizzle remaining melted chocolate over layered cookies. Let stand until chocolate is set, about 40 minutes. Store between sheets of waxed paper in tightly covered container

Sweetheart Palmiers / sweet treat from Campbells kitchen

www.puffpastry.com/recipe/sweetheart-palmiers

I love it! I think anyone who is looking for red food for Valentine's Day or for a red theme party needs to look at this. It's a recipe I found on campbells.com, puffpastry.com, and ziplist.com websites. Just click the links to get the recipe.

Now Let's Talk About It:

This is so simple but look how beautiful it looks. At first glance you can tell it's made with puff pastry and it's been sprinkled with red sugar. You know sugar comes in several different colors so you could change it up to match which ever occasion your celebrating. 

Red sugar is fantastic for Christmas and Valentine's Day but I bet green sugar would be nice for St. Patrick's Day. I bet a plate of green would remind you of clover just like the red reminds you of hearts. 

Tablescape: Look how pretty it looks served on a white platter. The idea of all the dishes being white is a good move. The red tablecloth just sets off the red cookies too. In the picture they have a bowl of red sugar with a spoon in it. I think that's a fantastic idea as well. Your guests can use red sugar instead of white sugar to add to their hot cocoa or coffee. I bet the red sugar adds a pinkish tent to the cocoa. I just love it. I knew I had to pass this on because I know what a challenge it is to come up with red food ideas and this one is one to remember. Perfect tablescape idea if you ask me. What do you think?

Campbell's Kitchen: Sweetheart Palmiers - Both Pepperidge Farm & Campbell's say "This crisp and delicate cookie is made with puff pastry dough sprinkled with sugar and rolled into the shape of palm leaves. Serve them with coffee or tea, or with your favorite dessert sampling."

Heart Shaped Ice Cubes

© Photographer Stephanie Connell | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Here's a neat idea. A bowl of heart shaped ice cubes for Valentine's Day cocktails.


I really like this idea because it's perfect for a group of people having a few Valentine's Day drinks or just as perfect for a private romantic dinner for two.

You can put the heart shaped ice in a ice bucket or simply have the heart shape ice already in individual glasses. Either way it works because the idea is for the drinker to see the hearts.

You can find heart shape ice cube molds at craft store and in the Valentine section of some supermarkets and retail stores like Wal-Mart. You can even find candy molds that will work for ice cubes as well. If you can't find them in stores just do a search at Amazon.com and you will find them for sure.

Shop Heart Ice Cube Trays
You can either freeze the cubes clear or add a bit of food coloring to the water. Or... add a bit of red fruit juice. You can even fill the molds 1/2 full of water and let it freeze then fill the remainder of the mold up with your choice of a red drink. I love the 1/2 and 1/2 effect myself.

Marvelous Chocolate Truffles Recipe

Celebration Food:  On November 4th, we honor and celebrate National Candy Day which is always observed in the United States. Today's post is a sweet truffle treat by Betty Crocker that we know you'll love to make. Remember this recipe for all Chocolate Holidays, National Chocolate Lovers Month, Valentines Day and Christmas too.

Marvelous Chocolate Truffles Recipe 
Originally uploaded by Betty Crocker Recipes

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 ounces semisweet baking chocolate or white baking bars (white chocolate), chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1/4 cup whipping (heavy) cream
• 1 tablespoon shortening
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet or milk chocolate chips or white baking chips
• Finely chopped nuts or candy decorations, if desired

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cover cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Melt baking chocolate in heavy 2-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Stir in butter until melted; stir in whipping cream. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently, just until thick enough to hold a shape.

2. Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Shape into balls. (If mixture is too sticky, refrigerate until firm enough to shape.) Freeze 30 minutes.

3. Heat shortening and chocolate chips over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth; remove from heat. Dip truffles, one at a time, into chocolate. Place on aluminum foil-covered cookie sheet. Immediately sprinkle some of the truffles with finely chopped nuts or decorating candies.

4. Refrigerate truffles about 10 minutes or until coating is set. Drizzle some of the truffles with mixture of 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon milk. Refrigerate just until set. Serve at room temperature. Store in airtight container.
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Gift Tins from Amazon.com - Give the gift of homemade candy and place them in traditional candy and cookie tins. You can pick from different shapes and colors.

A few days ago I said I would find some heart shape ideas for Valentine's Day and pass them on. Well yesterday I posted how to make a heart shaped chocolate cake, the day before that I posted my Valentine choice for this year which was a Meringue dessert and today I wanted to pass on the idea of heart shaped bread sticks that would be perfect for a romantic meal. This is probably the simplest idea of them all but heavens does it pack a visual punch. :) Thank you Pillsbury for such a warm & fast bread idea.

RECIPE: Heart-Shaped Breadsticks

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can (11 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated breadsticks
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1/4 cup finely crushed nacho-flavored tortilla chips

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 375°F. Separate dough into 12 breadsticks; stretch each until 12 inches long. Twist and shape each breadstick into heart shape; place on ungreased large cookie sheet.
2. Brush breadsticks with beaten egg; sprinkle with crushed chips.
3. Bake 10 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

123Greetings says February 9 is CHOCOLATE DAY? And it's the week of Valentine's so I'm posting this Chocolate Sweetheart Cake by pillsbury not really because of it's recipe but because it explains how to make a heart shape cake without using a heart shape cake pan. Something this simple needs to be shared and you would be surprised at how many people have emailed me asking for links to directions. :)  Pass it on to new bakers!

Chocolate Sweetheart Cake Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 package ( 1 pound 2.25 ounces) devil's food cake mix with pudding
• 1 1/3 cups water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 tub (12 ounces) chocolate whipped frosting or 1 tub (16 ounces) chocolate ready-to-spread frosting

DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 350°. Grease bottom only of 1 round pan, 8x1 1/2 inches, and 1 square pan, 8x8x2 inches, with shortening. Make cake mix as directed on package, using water, oil and eggs. Pour into pans.

2. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around sides of pans to loosen cakes; remove from pans to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

3. Cut round layer in half as shown in "diagram". Freeze uncovered about 1 hour for easier frosting if desired. Arrange pieces on serving platter to form heart as shown in diagram. Frost cake with frosting, attaching pieces with small amount of frosting. Store loosely covered at room temperature.
For a truly special presentation to make hearts flutter, garnish with fresh small strawberries or raspberries and curls of white chocolate. Or for real chocolate lovers, press miniature chocolate chips onto the side of the frosted cake.
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123greetings lists February 9 as Chocolate Day so send some fun Chocolate Greetings! 
All are FREE!  www.123greetings.com/chocolateday
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     Stephen my hubby is a pro at making meringue desserts..., in fact he introduced me to the first pavlova I ever ate. It's part of the National cuisine of Australia & New Zealand so it's traditional for us to eat it during the holidays since my hubby is Australian. 

     Now the reason I brought that up is because... this pillsbury dessert reminds me of it. I can't think of anything better for Valentine's Day either. This recipe is going to be my pick for this years romantic meal for me and the hubby. Oh... I love the idea of a touch of cream cheese & white chocolate in it. 2 things that a pavlova doesn't have. Ohhhh yeahhh! Now that looks like Valentines  :)

Valentine's Day Meringue Dessert Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 4 egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 3 oz white chocolate baking bar, melted
• 1 can (21 oz) raspberry pie filling
• 1 pint (2 cups) fresh strawberries, halved
• Fresh mint sprigs, if desired

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 275°F. Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper. In large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar with electric mixer on medium speed until foamy. On high speed, beat in 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar at a time until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is almost dissolved, about 6 minutes. Spread meringue to form 10x10-inch heart shape on cookie sheet, building up edges with back of spoon.
2. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until firm and dry to the touch. Turn oven off; let meringue shell stand in closed oven 1 hour. Slide meringue shell and parchment paper from cookie sheet onto wire rack. Cool completely, about 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar with mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in melted baking bar until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in whipped cream.
4. Carefully remove meringue shell from parchment paper; place shell on serving plate. Spread cream mixture evenly in shell. Cover; refrigerate at least 2 hours.
5. In medium bowl, gently mix pie filling and strawberries. Spoon 1 1/2 cups fruit mixture over top of dessert. Garnish with mint sprigs. Serve remaining fruit mixture to be spooned over individual servings.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft):
Heat oven to 250°F. For meringue, use 3 egg whites, 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar and 3/4 cup sugar. Bake 60 to 65 minutes. Thank you www.pillsbury.com