Chocolate Heart Truffles for Valentines Day

Heart Shaped Truffle Assortment - 18 piece chocolate truffles

You can't go wrong with chocolate for Valentine's Day. It is a day to indulge in sweet treats, and chocolate is at the top of the list. My motto is if it isn't chocolate why bother? Dark chocolate is a health food isn't it? On that premise, I bring you premium dark chocolate heart shaped truffles for Valentine's Day. The fillings are orange, raspberry, chocolate and espresso. Aren't they beautiful? Heart truffles are a great gift to present to your sweetheart on Valentine's Day.

Note: This listing is for an 18 piece assortment, even though only 9 are shown in the picture. It is available in 18 piece, 9 piece, and 4 piece.

Quick Links:
Chocolate for Valentines Day
Heart Shaped Truffle Assortment - 18 piece chocolate truffles

How About A Heart-Shaped Staub Chocolate Fondue Set for Valentine's Day?

With this beautiful heirloom-quality Staub heart-shaped chocolate fondue set you will be ready for the most romantic Valentine's Day fondue ever. A quality set that you will pass on to your children, it is actually perfect for either a cheese or a chocolate fondue, has been tested in restaurants and is one of the best available.

Amazon Customer Reviewer Isabelle Tai Rong says, "This is the 4th piece of Staub cast iron I own and I am absolutely amazed by their excellent performance and beautiful designs...Highly recommended for any one-pot cuisine lovers...Surely a lovable Staub piece you must have!"

And if you want need a fabulous and simple chocolate fondue recipe, you will love my best-ever chocolate fondue recipe! Traditionally, we have had it at New Year's but I'm thinking it will be a wonderful Valentine's Day treat this year.

Happy Valentine's Day!



Quick Links:

Staub Fondue Set on Amazon
The Best-Ever Chocolate Fondue Recipe

Update on Cookie Jar Lids

I have added to new lids to the list one is a heart stained and painted that reads"touch a heart and watch Love Grow" and the other one is a beehive with a sleeping bee on top of the hive
all lids can "BEE" ordered from www.jusbcuzdezins.com at 15.99 each plus shipping
I have also added something new I call bundles, which is a cookie jar lid of your choice with the glass jar filled with goodies inside of a cellaphane bag tied shut with a bow
These make great gifts for any occasion
I have them listed for $28.99 plus shipping which gives about about a $3.00 savings from buying the lids without the bundle
Come check us out we have over 40 lods to choose from
I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter Holiday ! I have added 3 new cookie lids to this blog I hope you enjoy them, I painted one to look like a pair of denim shorts, The purple flower has a beehive center and last a lazy blackbird sleeping on an orange flower. So check us out www.jusbcuzdezins.com we have over 40 cookie jar lids to choose from

I have just added a cute gingerbread house to the list of cookie jar lids I hope you like it. It had added heart shapes for the windows and added circle cutouts for the candies. And the roof looks like it's dripping with chocolate

76. Gourmet Treats

CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZELS

MATERIALS

10 ounces pretzel sticks (Pretzel RODS)
12 ounces milk chocolate chips (or melting disks)
1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
candy sprinkles (optional)
miniature M&M chocolate candies (optional)
mini Reese's pieces (optional)
chopped peanuts (optional)
Waxed Paper
Baking sheets
Double Boiler

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Melt milk chocolate chips in double boiler or in microwave (be careful not to burn in the micro).
   
2. If you are using the white chocolate, wait until later before melting unless you can keep it over warm water.
   
3. Dip each pretzel rod about 2/3 of the way up in chocolate.
   
4. Lay on wax paper lined baking sheets, lining up the rods but leave a bit of space between them.
   
5. Allow to set a little, but not completely dry (while waiting, make sure your white chocolate is ready).
   
6. Dip a fork into the white chocolate and drizzle over the milk chocolate by gently swishing the fork back and forth over the rods but not touching them.
   
7. Place your sprinkles or candies on a paper plate and roll each pretzel rod in desired topping (or just sprinkle on).
   
8. Lay back on wax paper to set completely.
   These look great displayed in, or given in, a unique glass or mug.
   

Resource: Recipe Zaar

CHOCOLATE COVERED CARAMEL CORN

MATERIALS

2 cups brown sugar
1 cup butter
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
7 quarts popped corn
1 Roasting pan
Waxed Paper

1 cup Hershey's semi-sweet chocolate chips
12 large marshmallows, cut in quarters
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons warm water
1 cup peanuts (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare Caramel Corn:

1. Combine brown sugar, butter, syrup and salt in a saucepan.
   
2. Boil 5 minutes.
   
3. Remove from heat and add the baking soda and vanilla.
   
4. Stir well and then pour over popped corn in a large roaster. (If you have to put into two large tinfoil buttered roasters, it will be easier to stir in two pans.)
   
5. Bake in oven at 250 degrees for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
   
6. Pour onto waxed paper and cool.
   
7. Break up into pieces.

Chocolate Coating:.

1. Melt chips, marshmallows, butter and water for about four minutes in the microwave, stirring until smooth. (You can do this on the stove top too, just melt until very smooth.)
   
2. Place the cooled caramel corn and peanuts, if using, in a large roasting pan.
   
3. Toss chocolate over the caramel corn and toss well.
   
4. Spread out again onto the waxed paper to cool, separating the pieces.
   

Resource: Recipe Zaar

43. Mixes

COCOA MIX

INGREDIENTS

2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer
1/8 teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Measure all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk them until they are evenly blended.
   
2. Store the mix in a tightly covered container at room temperature until you're ready to package it. Makes about 4 cups of mix.
   
   The secret ingredient in this mix is the mini chocolate chips, which melt when combined with the boiling water and give the cocoa an extra-rich flavor. The recipe makes enough for four gift-size portions, each of which can be measured into a small plastic bag and tucked into a cup or mug filled with mini marshmallows, candy stick stirrers, and a spoon. Wrap each filled gift cup in cellophane and don't forget to include a tag with a list of the ingredients.
   

   Source: FamilyFun.com

PANCAKE MIX

INGREDIENTS

5 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Measure the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of a large food processor.
   
2. Process for 15 to 30 seconds or until thoroughly mixed. (Alternatively, stir the ingredients together in a bowl.)
   
3. Spoon the mix into a 2-quart jar.
   
4. Affix a label on the front of the jar that says "Pancake Mix."
   
5. Affix a second label on the back of the jar with the pancake directions:
   

   Stir 1 1/2 cups of pancake mix, 2 eggs, and 1 1/4 cups of milk in a mixing bowl until smooth. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook the pancakes for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Enjoy with maple syrup. Serves 4.

   
   
6. To present the gift, tie a bow around the jar. Makes 1 mix.



Source: FamilyFun.com

CRUNCHY GRANOLA

INGREDIENTS

4 cups rolled oats
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup chopped walnuts or slivered almonds
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup water
1 (6-ounce) package dried sweetened cranberries or other dried fruits such as cherries, raisins, pineapple, or papaya

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat the oven to 300º. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, wheat germ, nuts, sesame seeds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
   
   
2. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the oil, honey, and water. Toss the mixture until the ingredients are well combined, then spread it evenly on a cookie sheet.
   
   
3. Bake the granola for 40 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring every 10 minutes to keep the mixture from sticking. Let it cool completely, then stir in the cranberries or dried fruit. Makes about 7 cups.



Source: FamilyFun.com

THE BEST SCONES YOU'LL EVER HAVE

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon baking soda
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Measure and mix ingredients
   
2. spoon into a jar or cellophane bag
   
3. Make a tag with a list of ingredients & baking instructions:
   

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet. In a small bowl, blend scone mix with 1 cup butter cut into pieces. Mix in 1 cup sour cream, and 1 egg until just moistened. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead briefly. Roll or pat dough into a 3/4 inch thick round. Cut into 12 wedges, and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
   Bake 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown on the bottom.




Source: AllRecipes.com