Valentine’s Day Treats

Cupid’s Cherry Cupcakes
Line 2 cupcake pans with Valentine’s Day themed cupcake liners (makes approx. 24 cupcakes) or grease and coat with flour two 9” heart shaped cake pans.

  • 2 ¼ c flour
  • 3 ¼ t baking powder
  • 1 t salt
  • 1 ½ c granulated sugar
  • ½ c shortening
  • 1 c milk
  • 1 ½ t vanilla
  • 1 t almond extract
  • 4 egg whites (unbeaten)
  • 2 T finely chopped maraschino cherries
  • ¾ c chopped walnuts
  1. Measure flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar into sifter.
  2. Place shortening in mixing bowl.
  3. Stir just to soften.
  4. Sift in dry ingredients.
  5. Combine milk, vanilla, and almond extract.
  6. Add ¾ cup of milk mixture to dry ingredients.
  7. Mix until dry ingredients are dampened.
  8. Beat 2 minutes on medium speed.
  9. Add egg whites and remaining milk.
  10. Beat 1 minute.
  11. Stir in cherries and nuts.
  12. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 of the way, or divide batter in half and fill each 9” heart-shaped cake pan.

Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes, test center with toothpick. For cupcakes remove from pan immediately and let cool on baking rack. For cakes, cool in pans 5-10 minutes and gently unmold to cool on rack.

Frosting

  • 4 oz cream cheese (at room temperature)
  • 1 T margarine or butter
  • 1 t almond extract
  • 4 c. confectioner’s sugar
  • 2-4 T Milk
  1. Mix together.
  2. Add confectioner’s sugar.
  3. Add milk by the tablespoon until spreading consistency. Beat as you go.

Sprinkle frosted cupcakes or cakes with fun heart-shaped decorations for a real Valentine’s Day treat!

Make Friendship Pretzels
One way of helping your children show their appreciation of their friends is to make them a friendship pretzel!

  • 1 c warm water
  • 2 T sugar
  • 2 packages dry yeast
  • 1 egg
  • 4 c flour
  1. Place sugar in bowl and add warm water. Stir until dissolved.
  2. Add yeast. Let sit for 15 minutes.
  3. Stir in flour gradually until dough is thick enough to knead.
  4. Knead for 3-4 minutes.
  5. Grease the bowl. Shape the dough into a ball and put in bowl. Cover with a dish towel and keep in warm place for 1 hour, or until dough has doubled in size.
  6. Punch dough down and roll with rolling pin.
  7. Cut into strips and make heart shapes!
  8. Put your shapes on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
  9. Beat the egg and coat the top of each pretzel with it. Sprinkle on salt if you like.

Bake at 400° F for 12 minutes.