10 Simple Valentine's Day Desserts

Looking for some special Valentine's Day desserts to serve your family or friends to show you love them? Here is a list of 10 simple Valentine's Day desserts that are sure to please everyone.

1. Homemade Italian Cream Sodas: These "kid friendly" drinks are a great way to start off your meal or serve after dinner as an after dinner "mock"cocktail. (via Butter With a Side of Bread)

2. Chocolate Fondue: Simple yet so very elegant! Use dark chocolate to boost your antioxidant intake along with a variety of fruits to dip into it and you have a fairly healthy yet decadent dessert. (via Fox and Briar)

3. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes: This is two desserts in one, a cupcake + a chocolate covered strawberry! What is not to love. (via Lil Luna)

4. Individual Fruit Chocolate Brownie Trifles: A mouthwatering combination of gooey brownie, light fluffy cool whip and raspberries. (via Just A Taste)

5. Heart Macarons: Such a sweet little treat to finish off a Valentine's Day meal. (via Liv For Cake)

6. Amaretto Truffles: These look complicated but I promise this simple recipe whips together quickly and tastes amazing. (via Lazy Cat Kitchen)

7. Chocolate Chip Blondies: Here is a simple cookie recipe you can even make a ahead! A heart shaped cookie cutter adds a little pizzaz to this sweet dessert. (via Cooking Classy)

8. Chocolate Covered Pretzels: The salt from the pretzel just enhances the chocolate flavor making this one of my favorite treats. You can customize the sprinkles or toppings to your liking. Oh, and it is super easy to make! (via Love From The Oven)

9. XOXO Rice Krispie Treats: Looking for a gluten free and nut free dessert? Rice krispie treats are a winner! You can color them and shape them into a variety of Valentine themed shapes too. (via Two Sisters Crafting)

10. Cherry Delight: Doesn't this just look amazing! The name says it all DELIGHT! (via Life In The Lofthouse)

Happy Valentine's Day to you! I'd love to hear (or see) what dessert you serve this Valentine's Day to your friends and loved ones. 

xoxo
Erin

Cupcake? Cupcake!

Here is the recipe for the yummy cupcakes Dianne (Mom) made while our southern relatives were visiting. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1st bowl

1 - 8oz pkg cream cheese

1 egg

1/3 c. sugar

1/8 tsp salt

6 oz. chocolate chips

Stir together first 4 ingredients then fold in the chocolate chips.

2nd bowl

Mix together the following ingredients

1 1/2 c. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 c. cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

1 c. sugar

Next add:

1/3 c. cooking oil

1 c. water

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 Tbsp vinegar

Beat until combined.

Grease or line with cupcake wrappers a cupcake baking sheet and fill each cup 1/2 full of BOWL 2 ingredients. Top each filled cup with a heaping tsp. of BOWL 1 cream cheese mixture. Bake 30-35 minutes. Yields 2 dozen.

Emma's Visit

The girls and I enjoyed a few vacation days with a visit to Fremont Lake. Fred, Sue, Jamie and Emma were visiting Michigan and happened to be in Fremont for a few days along with Jim and Sandy. The girls were super excited to play with Emma and had been counting off the days to the anticipated trip. With the unpredictable Michigan weather (chance of rain always part of the daily forecast) grandmas, maimas and moms were well prepared for indoor and outdoor activities to keep the kiddos busy and happy! The Evans girls packed all of their dress-ups knowing their little cousin from the south was an experienced princess and enjoyed frilly, twirly and sparkly outfits and accessories. Speaking of accessories, the little princesses spent time designing and crafting their very own beaded jewelry. Their creativity and great ideas never cease to amaze me!

The girls all helped grandma and maima make cupcakes. The cupcakes were chocolate with a cream cheese & chocolate chip topping - Yummy! Recipe to follow (thanks maima).

After a busy day dressing up, baking and making jewelry the girls were ready for a swim in the lake. Kami and Emma enjoyed kayaking through the Sue & Jim bridge while Pa (aka "Fred") splashed the girls. Squeals, giggles and screams could be heard all the way up to the house!

Before sending the overly tired girls off to bed we all enjoyed some time roasting marshmallows, eating s'mores and watching the bonfire. We all had a fantastic time and will enjoy remembering the memories made over these past few days for years to come.