Valentine Red Velvet Brownies

When I first made this recipe a couple weeks ago, it felt like I would have to wait forever before posting it...and now all of the sudden Valentine's Day is so close. Where does the time go?!

Valentine's Day treats are some of my favorite things to make. I love the pretty pinks and reds, the sparkles and sprinkles, the dainty sizes and of course the heart shapes.

And of course I'm a sucker for anything red velvet.

To make these brownies extra special, I added chocolate chips, cut them into heart shapes and frosted them with cream cheese frosting.

Valentine Red Velvet Brownies
Slightly adapted from How Sweet It Is

1/2 c. butter, softened

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/4 c. all purpose flour

1/4 tsp. salt

3 tbsp. cocoa powder

3 tbsp. red food coloring

1 c. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Grease an 8 x 8 pan and set aside.

In a small bowl, combine cocoa powder, red food coloring, and 1 teaspoon vanilla and stir until smooth.

With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar then add eggs and the remaining teaspoon of vanilla. Next mix in the cocoa powder mixture. Beat until the batter is completely red. Add flour and salt, mixing until just combined. Finally,fold in the chocolate chips.

Spread in the 8 x 8 pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes (I like mine to be a bit more gooey so I only baked them for 25 minutes) or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely before cutting and frosting.

For the frosting, I used this recipe with an added splash (about 2 tablespoons) of milk. For a variation in flavor add a splash of orange juice instead.

Truffle Tray

Let me tell you about a little match made in heaven.

Cookies + Cream cheese + Chocolate.

Seriously....Best. Truffles.Ever!

This year, I made three kinds (someone had to restrain me from making the 10 others I wanted to!).

Sugar Cookies + Cream Cheese + White Chocolate Dip
Adapted slightly from The Scene from Me, Originally from Nestle

16 oz. package of sugar cookie dough, baked and cooled (or I used this recipe to make my own)
8 oz. package of cream cheese,softened (I use low fat)


Mint Oreos + Cream Cheese + White Chocolate Dip
Adapted slightly from Bakerella

1 package of Mint Oreos (I used Trader Joe's Peppermint Joe Joe's)
8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened


Gingerbread + Marshmallow Orange Frosting + White Chocolate Dip

1/2 of this recipe, baked and cooled
1/2 c. of this frosting
1/2 package of cream cheese
1/2 c. marshmallow fluff


How To:
In a Cuisinart, grind cookies into a powder. Mix completely with the cream cheese (and frosting for the gingerbread ones), then shape into about 1 inch balls and place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes (or freeze for 15 minutes) before dipping into melted chocolate. After they have been coated, return to the cookie sheet and refrigerate until chocolate is hard. Store in the refrigerator.


Notes:
-I found that it's best to just get down and dirty and mix the cookie crumbs and cream cheese with your hands. I know,super messy,but trust me,it mixes much better.
-I found that the best coating is to use half chocolate and half coating bark (i.e. 1 cup of chocolate chips + 1 cup of bark) and then mixing in 1-2 tsp. of vegetable oil.

Homemade Gifts & Goodies

Homemade gifts are, in my humble opinion, some of the best to receive. Give me something homemade that I can eat and now we're really talking.

If you are running short on time or you found out last minute that you have to give someone a gift, these home made goodies are a few great options.

Bloody Mary Vodka + Home-made Bloody Mary Mix

For the Vodka: Infuse 4 cups of vodka with 6 green olives, 1 tbsp. olive brine, 1 tsp. horseradish, 2 cloves chopped garlic, 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 a lemon juiced, 1 lime juiced and 4 jalapeno peppers (2 diced and 2 left whole with just the ends cut off).

For the Bloody Mary Mix: I used this recipe.

Bottle in pretty bottles and make some cute labels (I used paper bags, some festive stickers and markers).


Peppermint Cookie Bark

1/2 a package of mint oreos (I used Trader Joe's Peppermint Joe Joe's)
1/2 c. chopped candy canes
24 oz. white chocolate,melted

In a foil lined 9"x13" baking pan, first layer  the cookies, then the chocolate and finally sprinkle with the candy canes. Place in the fridge for several hours, or until hardened. Break into pieces and store in the fridge.


Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans

3 c. semi-sweet chocolate, melted
12 oz. coffee beans

Toss chocolate with the beans and lay out on a wax paper lined tray. Place in fridge to cool, then break a part and place into a zip lock bag to store, or divide into individual bags for gifting.


Spiced Nuts

6 tbsp. butter
1 c. brown sugar
dash of salt and nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
8 oz. of pecans and 16 oz. of peanuts (or whatever combination of nuts you would like)

Melt butter and sugar together. Next stir in spices and then the nuts. Mix until the nuts are coated then spread onto a foil lined baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes or until browned. Let cool and then bag the nuts.

Chocolate Toffee Squares-I used this recipe.

Homemade Cappuccino Mix + a cute travel Mug 

1 c. of coffee creamer (whatever flavor you would like-I like hazelnut or vanilla) + 1 c. instant coffee granules + 1 c. chocolate drink mix + 1/4 c. white sugar + 1/2 tsp. cinnamon- Mix together and then bag or pour into 2 12 oz. jars. Use 3 tbsp of mix for every 6 oz. of hot water.


Soup-in-a-Jar Mix

In a 1 quart glass jar, layer the following:

1 c. of pasta shells
3/4 c. each split peas,kidney beans,pinto beans,great northern beans
1 package of onion soup mix
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. of each garlic salt,pepper,basil,rosemary leaves

Instructions and remaining ingredients to include on the card:

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
3 medium carrots, chopped
3 celery stalks,chopped
1 can of chopped chicken (can be omitted)
Salt to taste
Parmesan cheese to top off

Place beans and seasoning along with 4-5 cups of water into a large pot. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and then continue to simmer until beans are cooked,about 4 hours. (You may need to add water throughout to keep the beans from getting too dried out). Add all remaining ingredients, except for the pasta. Cook for 30 more minutes. Add the pasta and cook 10 more minutes. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Marshmallow Orange Frosting Stuffed Gingerbread Men

Whew! That is a mouthful.

But it is an oh-so-delicious get-in-my-belly-now mouthful.

I have always had a love-hate relationship with gingerbread cookies. 

However, I have always LOVED marshmallow frosting (who doesn't?)!!

Then I had an "Oh yeah duh I should do this!" moment. 

Gingerbread cookies + marshmallow frosting = an official love relationship with gingerbread!

Marshmallow Orange Frosting Stuffed Gingerbread Men
1 recipe for gingerbread cookies (I used this one)

Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out whatever shapes you would like (just make sure you have two of each!). Bake for 12-14 minutes, then let cool on a baking rack.

For the frosting:

1 stick of butter
1 c. powder sugar
2 c. marshmallow fluff
the zest of two oranges

Cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Fold in the fluff and zest. Frost one side of each pair of cookies, then place the other on top. Store in the refrigerator.

Yogurt Cookies with Brown Butter Frosting

That sounds weird.

 Maybe that's because these are really supposed to be sour cream cookies. With non-brown butter frosting.

Hey, I was trying to be healthy. For both our sakes. Because healthy and holidays are rarely in the same sentence. And in case you were confused on the healthy part, I'm referring to the yogurt, not the butter.

These cookies are delicious with or without the frosting (but let's be honest, who can pass up anything with brown butter?!?) and they are an easier/excellent replacement for sugar cookies (in case you don't feel like all that dough chilling, rolling out, and cookie cutting).

Yogurt (Sour Cream) Cookies
Makes about 3 dozen~From my Mom

1/2 c. softened butter
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. flour
1/2 c. yogurt/sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla

Frosting
1/2 c. butter
2 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
hot water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend together butter and sugar, then add egg. Mix in the dry ingredients along with the sour cream and vanilla. Drop by rounded teaspoonful onto a greased/parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minute or just until edges start to brown (the time or temperature may vary depending on your oven). Cool on a wire rack, then frost.

To make the frosting-In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat, until it browns and starts to bubble, about 2 minutes. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Then add as much hot water as you need to reach a spreading consistency.(If you add too much water, just add a little more sugar). After frosting the cookies, top with sprinkles or decorate as you wish. (The frosting can also be colored)

*Make sure to frost cookies as quickly as possible as the icing will quickly harden. If it does harden, just reheat over low heat.*

Gift Guide-Hostess with the Mostest

Ok well more like the guest with the mostest, but who's keeping track?? (you better not be!) With all the holiday parties it can be easy to just bring the host a bottle of wine. But since everyone does that how about lets not and say we did.....or let's bring one of these fun gifts instead.

1. Vacu Vin Party People Glass Markers and Ice Tray

There is nothing more appropriate for a party then "party people".

2. Paperwhites (Trader Joe's has a set with the pot,soil and bulb for $5)

These flowers are fool proof (even for me,which is hard to do!).They grow so easily, they are clean and crisp and smell amazing! Annnnd they come back for several years!

3. Whiskey Stones

No questions asked, this is what you bring to a whiskey lover.

4. Scrabble Coasters

If you are going to a game themed party, these are a great game themed gift to bring.

5.  Home-made goodies + Labels

No one will ever turn down homemade goodies (if they do, I would seriously contemplate our friendship!). And if you know they like to cook as well, these will definitely come in handy for them.

6. Soaps

These are so cute! I'm pretty sure I would try to take a bite out of one if it was given me (that bite up there wasn't me....I swear!).

7. Chalkboard Candles

I want to have a party just so someone can give these to me. Actually I'll take one of everything on this post while we're at it.

8. For the Cookie Lover (cookie cutters and the Cookiepedia)

Again, who doesn't like cookies?? (If they don't we will put them in the same weird category as people who don't like home made goodies!). This is one of my favs on the list because of how much you can use it, all year long.

9. Vase

If you insist on bringing the typical bouquet of flowers, at least bring them in a pretty vase.

10. Table Topics

This is how you get the party started.

If you need more great ideas check here, here, or here.

Gift Guide-In the Closet

Getting someone a fashion themed gift isn't always the easiest thing. It can be hard to know exactly what a person is in to, what size they wear, and things can quickly go out of style. So instead of giving you a list of the latest trends, the seasons comfiest sweaters, the typical hat and scarf sets or newest style of jewelry, I tried to put together a list of things that are fun and fashionable and enhance the wardrobe/closet/travel bag in ways that will last past next season.

1. CitySlips

These are for the girl that continues to wear those super cute pair of heels out over and over again and over and over again wonders "What possessed me to wear heels out??Again??" And let's be honest, what girl hasn't done that??

2. Fur Snood (Here, here and here)

I mean, who wouldn't want to wear something called a snood??

3. Tibi Iphone 4 Cases

How adorbs are these cases?!? My Iphone is practically begging to be put in one of these!

(These are some cute alternatives too!)

4. Travel Sets (Here, here and here)

5. Shoe Clips (I love the ones on this Etsy shop!)

No girl will EVER turn down a pair of shoes. EVER! But in case you aren't sure what she might like, get her some shoe clips to instead dress up a pair she already has. Side note, Etsy is a great place to look for unique, creative and fun gifts!

6. Shemergency Kit

Every girl should have one of these. End of story.

7. Pave Ear Ball Headphones

Because you can't have that cute new case up above without some cute new buds to go with it.

8. Furry Ear Muffs

You can never have to much soft and furry warmth on your body in the winter time. And you certainly can't beat the price of these.

9. Not your typical journal...

But then again, who wants to receive a typical gift??!

10. Passport Holder and Luggage Tags

These gifts will keep the girl-on-the-go looking chic all the time.  Side note, these passport cases are just another example of why I love looking for cute and affordable gifts on Etsy!

Stay tuned for Friday's Gifts for the Host/Hostess!