Roses are red, violets are blue. Sugar is sweet, and so are you. Of course, it’s that time of year again, Valentine’s Day, when love is in the air. One of the “go to” gifts we see distributed this time of year is chocolates. While chocolate may not necessarily be bad for you, too much of it isn’t good for you either. It’s because of this that I began to look for healthy alternatives for giving chocolate on Valentine’s Day. After searching and searching, there were a few that I thought would be tasty and healthy. Here are 5 Healthy Valentine’s Day Treats:
Heart Shaped Pancakes
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup (6 ounces) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups milk
2 large eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil, plus more for the griddle and cookie cutters
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3-inch heart-shaped metal cookie cutters (optional)
Powdered sugar
Directions:
Combine flour, morsels, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Combine milk, eggs, oil and brown sugar in medium bowl; add to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter may be lumpy).
Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat; brush lightly with oil. Pour 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle into the shape of a heart; cook until bubbles begin to burst. Turn; continue to cook about 1 minute longer or until golden. Repeat with remaining batter. (For perfectly shaped pancakes, brush inside of cookie cutters with oil; place on griddle. Pour about 1/4 cup batter into the cookie cutters and cook until bubbles begin to burst. Remove cookie cutters. Turn; continue to cook about 1 minute longer or until golden.)
Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
Valentine’s Day Blackberry Parfaitini
Ingredients
2 cups fresh blackberries (or other berry of your choice)
2 tablespoons vanilla vodka
Sprinkling of granulated sugar
3 tablespoons sliced almonds
1-1/4 cups Greek honey-flavored yogurt
1/2 cup crumbled graham crackers
Directions:
Place berries and vodka in a small bowl. Sprinkle with sugar, gently toss, and set aside for 10 minutes.
In a small skillet over medium-high heat, toast almonds, shaking skillet often, until almonds are just lightly browned. Remove from heat immediately and transfer to a paper towel to cool.
Making thin layers, evenly divide yogurt, graham crackers, almonds and berries between 2 martini glasses. Chill for 1 hour.
Heart Shaped Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups Rice Krispies®
Red or pink food coloring (very small amount)
2/3 white candy melts
Valentine sprinkles
Heart shaped cookie cutter
Directions:
1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir. When the marshmallows are 80% melted add a small amount of food coloring and mix until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2. Add rice krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool.
4. Cut out heart shaped rice krispie treats
5. Melt the candy melts according to package instructions. Pour melted “melts” into a squeeze bottle.
6. Draw a heart shape on top of the treats with the melts.
7. Sprinkle mini heart-shaped sprinkles on top
Chocolate-dipped strawberries
2 strawberries dipped in 1 tablespoon Baker’s Dark Semi-Sweet Dipping Chocolate
This is amazing at only 74 Calories
Fruit Box
Instead of giving a box of chocolates this year, remove the chocolates (or purchase an empty box, if possible), and fill with your Valentine’s favorite fruits. Be creative. Make the strawberries heart shaped, and have fun with your design.
Roses are red, violets are blue. When you are healthy, there’s no limit to what you can do. Happy Valentine’s Day!