This month seems to be crammed with events, from Valentine’s Day, to The SuperBowl, to the Winter Olympics! This month I will share with you some fun Valentine’s Day treat recipes that you can give to your special someone or enjoy for yourself! I will also be sharing some flavorful recipes for the SuperBowl (or the Olympics), because who doesn’t love to munch while watching sports? Which do you like better, the SuperBowl itself, or the snacks that come with it?
Valentines Day Treats:
Red Velvet Brownies
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 16 brownies
Source:>span class="s7">https://www.lovefromtheoven.com/red-velvet-brownies/
Ingredients:
● 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
● 1 1/2 cups sugar
● 1 oz red food coloring (more or less can be used as desired)
● 3 tbsp cocoa powder (natural or Dutch process)
● 2 large eggs, room temperature
● 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
● 1/4 tsp salt
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare an 8×8 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes. Add in food coloring and beat until well combined. Add in cocoa powder and beat until well combined. Add in eggs, one at a time, beating until combined after each egg.
3. Add in flour and salt, and mix by hand until well combined, but do not overmix. Transfer mixture to prepared baking pan.
4. Bake for approximately 35-45 minutes or until center of brownie starts to set (won't jiggle when you shake the pan gently) and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire cooling rack.
5. If desired, once brownies are completely cool, frost with cream cheese frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe:
Ingredients:
● 8 oz cream cheese brick, not tub, room temperature
● 1/2 cup butter softened
● 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
● 1/2 tsp salt
● 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
1. With a mixer, beat together cream cheese and butter until well combined, light and creamy.
2. Add in 1/2 the powdered sugar and mix until just combined. Add in remaining powdered sugar and beat until just combined.
3. Mix in vanilla and salt, mixing until just combined. Do not over-mix frosting.
4. If frosting is too thick you can add a teaspoon or two of cream, half and half or milk to reach the desired consistency.
5. Pipe or spread as desired.
6. Store frosted items, or unused frosting, in the fridge.
Oreo Truffles
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 36 truffles
Source:https://www.cookingclassy.com/
Ingredients:
● 36 Oreos (original not doublestuff), plus 3 more, crushed, for topping if desired
● 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
● 16 oz vanilla or chocolate candy melts, or melted white chocolate, milk chocolate or dark chocolate
Directions:
1. Line an 18 by 13-inch baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper.
2. Place 36 Oreos in a food processor (entire cookie, don't remove cream filling) and pulse too fine crumbs.
3. Add cream cheese and pulse in bursts until well combined.
4. Scoop mixture out about 1 Tbsp at a time and form into 1 inch balls then align on prepared cookie sheet.
5. Place truffles in freezer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile crush remaining 3 Oreos.
6. Melt almond bark or chocolate according to directions on package.
7. Remove truffles from freezer and dip in melted chocolate and use a spoon to pour some chocolate over the top then lift and allow excess chocolate to run off.
8. Return to baking sheet, immediately sprinkle tops with crushed Oreos if desired, then allow chocolate to set.
9. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator.
Strawberry Valentines Day Chex Mix
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 20
Source:https://butterwithasideofbread...
Ingredients:
● 4-6 cups Rice Chex cereal
● 1 8-oz bag Strawberry Candy Melts OR
● 1 bag of white chocolate baking chips {12 oz} AND
● 1 box of Strawberry Creme Jell-O Pudding** {pudding NOT gelatin!}
● Valentines M&M’s and/or Sprinkles
Directions:
1. Measure out Chex cereal into a large bowl. Note: if you’re using the Strawberry Candy Melts, you’ll use 4 cups of cereal. If you’re using the white chocolate chips + pudding mix, you’ll use 6 cups of cereal.
2. Pour chocolate into a small glass dish. Add 1/2 tsp shortening, if desired, to help the chocolate coat the cereal easier. Microwave for 1 minute 20 seconds. Let sit in the microwave for 3 minutes. Remove and gently stir. If chocolate loves its shape and looks smooth, it’s done. If not, return to the microwave in 15 second increments, letting it sit for 2-3 minutes each time, until melted and smooth.
3. If you used White Chocolate Chips + Pudding Mix: Add 4 TBSP of the strawberry creme pudding into the white chocolate and stir gently until smooth. Add 2 drops of red food coloring, if desired.
4. Pour the chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal and stir gently to coat.
5. Transfer cereal mixture to a large piece of wax paper. Sprinkle with M&M’s and Valentines sprinkles, if desired. Let cool to set. Break pieces and store in an airtight container to save. Candy can be made up to 3-4 days ahead, if desired. It saves well.
Super Bowl Recipes
Pizza Dip
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8
Source:https://belleofthekitchen.com/...
Ingredients:
● 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
● 1/2 cup sour cream
● 1 tsp oregano
● 1/4 tsp garlic salt
● 1 can pizza sauce
● 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
● pepperonis for topping
● italian seasoning
● chips/crackers/pita chips for dipping
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine cream cheese, sour cream, oregano, and garlic salt in a medium sized bowl and mix well. Spread mixture into the bottom of 9 inch pie pan.
3. Spread pizza sauce evenly over the top of cream cheese mixture and top with a few pepperonis. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
4. Remove from the oven and top with mozzarella cheese and a few more pepperonis. Return to oven and bake for 7-8 additional minutes, or until cheese is melted.
5. Turn the broiler on and broil the top for about a minute or two, until the cheese is dotted with brown and the pepperonis crisp up a bit. WATCH THIS STEP CAREFULLY! You don't want to burn all that delicious, cheesy goodness.
6. Remove from oven and sprinkle the top with italian seasoning. Serve with crackers or pita chips. Enjoy!
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Servings: 6
Total Time: Around 25 minutes
Source:https://cafedelites.com/buffal...
Ingredients:
● 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
● 2 teaspoons minced garlic
● 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
● 1/2 cup Frank's Original Red Hot Sauce
● 8 oz (250g) block cream cheese, softened
● 1/2 cup sour cream
● 1/2 cup white Cheddar cheese freshly shredded
● 1/4 cup American cheddar freshly shredded
● 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional to serve)
● 2 teaspoons green onions, sliced ( or chives)
● Celery sticks carrot sticks, tortilla chips, crusty bread pieces, potato chips, for serving
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange oven rack to the middle of your oven.
2. In an 8-inch cast-iron skillet (or an ovenproof pan), melt the butter over medium-high heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant (30 seconds). Add the chicken and hot sauce and simmer until sauce has thickened and reduced by half (about 2 minutes).
3. Reduce heat to low and stir in cream cheese; mix until combined. Take off heat, stir through sour cream and top with both cheddar cheese(s) over the top.
4. Bake until bubbling around the edges and the cheese has melted (about 10 minutes). Broil (or grill) for a further minute to brown on top.
5. Immediately garnish with blue cheese and green onions. Serve with vegetable sticks, chips, crusty bread pieces for dipping.
Mac and Cheese Bites
Total Time: 2 hours and 10 mins
Servings: 15
Source: https://sweetandsavorymeals.co...
Ingredients:
● 1 pound leftover mac and cheese (chilled)
● 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or more)
● 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese (or more)
● 2 eggs
● 3 tablespoons milk
● 2 cups bread crumbs (or panko bread crumbs)
● Oil (for frying)
Directions:
1. Refrigerate the mac and cheese for 3-4 hours before using it in this recipe.
2. Add it to a large bowl, and mix with the shredded cheddar and parmesan cheese. If the texture is still a bit runny, add more cheese of choice. The mac and cheese should be firm and consistent enough to easily roll into balls.
3. Whisk eggs and milk into a medium shallow bowl.
4. In another one add bread crumbs and set them aside.
5. Using an ice-cream scoop, scoop and roll out about 15 balls. The number depends on the size of the balls.
6. Next, dip each ball in the egg wash and then dredge in bread crumbs, coat evenly. Place on a parchment paper-lined cutting board or baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
7. Heat vegetable oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
8. After that, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
