A Few Treats for Your Sweetie

More flowers, candy and cards will be purchased this week than any other in the calendar year in the United States, as we all rush to express our love for that special someone.

In these difficult economic times, there are more ways – and probably more appreciated—to show our feelings than by spending money we don’t have on things that don’t last very long.

Try a simple gesture not often expressed or get in the kitchen and whip up a sweet concoction that will mean more than you could ever imagine.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all!

Valentine Pretzel Rods

White chocolate chips
Whole pretzel rods
Red, white and/or pink sprinkles (“jimmies”)
Wax paper

Melt chocolate according to package directions. Dip pretzel rods in the chocolate and place on the wax paper. After the chocolate has hardened, dip them again and then roll them in the sprinkles. Place them on a new sheet of wax paper to harden.

Secret Kiss Cookies

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Sifted powdered sugar
1 pkg. Hershey Kisses, foil removed

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla with 1 Tbsp. water. Stir in flour and nuts; mix well. Shape dough around Hershey kisses forming a ball. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on rack; roll in powdered sugar. Makes about 60 cookies.

Brownie Heart

Prepare a brownie mix or homemade brownie recipe. Pour into a greased heart shaped pan. Bake and allow to cool. With whipped cream spray an outline of a heart in the middle of the brownie. Place cherries or chopped strawberries inside the heart.

Red Krispie Treats

Prepare Rice Krispies treats from recipe on box and add red food coloring. Spread into a 13x9 pan and cool. With a heart cookie cutter cut Rice Krispies out. This is a simple and easy “kids recipe” they can make for their family and friends.