Happy Valentines Day! I {mini} loaf you!

Happy Valentines Day!!

I had these mini loaf pans I picked up at Michaels during Christmas for $1 each!

They worked perfect for Valentines Day......I made some mini loaves of my family's favorite Banana Bread with chocolate chips and a hint of cinnamon makes this quick bread a real treat!

You can find the recipe here in this post

♥ I hope your day is filled with LOVE ♥

Please welcome my newest sponsor Erin Bradley of Ink Obsession Designs. Erin is the magnificent designer of a line of invitations, announcements & personalized stationery.

I am so grateful for support of my sponsors, and I would be so grateful if you would show Erin some love and check out her beautiful designs.

Chocolate & Strawberry Cupcakes

Are you getting tired of my Valentine food posts yet? LOL

I just couldn't help my self, I've been inspired to make so many things this year, that's why I had to spread them all out and start early.

I have found so much inspiration on Flickr, it's amazing! So many bakers share their amazing edible creations. Seriously, search cupcakes on Flickr......and tell me you're not inspired to make some cupcakes!

I knew weeks ago just the cupcakes I wanted to make for Valentines Day.......

If you want to make your Sweetheart a cupcake
that is going to knock them off their feet

........this is it!

Chocolate Fudge Cupcake

1 Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix

3 Large Eggs

1/2 cup melted butter (butter not margarine)

1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350

Mix on low until blended, then mix on high for 2 mins.

Pour into paper lined cupcake pans. Bake for 20 min.

Strawberry Whipped Cream (filling)

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/3 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

5-6 T. chopped/processed strawberries

Chop strawberries in blender (I used my Magic Bullet) just until they look thick and "liquidy". I used really large strawberries and it took 4 to make 5-6 Tablespoons.

Beat whipping cream, and vanilla until it starts to thicken.

Mix in sugar.

Fold in strawberries.

***WARNING - this stuff is DELICIOUS - so I advise you NOT to taste any until AFTER you've finished with your cupcakes.....otherwise you may not have any left for the cupcakes!

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting (from Glorious Treats)

½ cup butter, at room temperature
8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup unsweetened cocoa
4 cups powdered confectioners sugar
1-4 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Directions:
*Place butter in a large mixing bowl and blend slightly. Add cream cheese and blend until combined, about 30 seconds.
*Add the cocoa powder( before adding the sugar, so it gets fully incorporated into the butter and cream cheese.)
*Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar and blend on low speed until combined. Increase to medium speed and beat until it begins to get fluffy.
*Slowly add the heavy cream, a little bit at a time until desired consistency is met. (Don't add too much if you want the frosting to stay in place when piped on cupcakes.)
*Beat until fluffy, about 1 minute.
*Use at once or keep refrigerated. (This frosting will keep well in the refrigerator for several days, but you may need to re-beat it for the best texture.)

Directions for Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes with Strawberries & Cream filling topped with Chocolate Frosting

1. Bake cupcakes and cool completely
2. Cut out a small section in the center of the cupcake (save in bowl)
3. add strawberry whipped cream to the hole
4. replace the tops (just do the best you can - or you could just leave them off)
5. pipe chocolate frosting on top of cupcake with 1M tip.

I also did some cupcakes the reverse.......I filled the cupcakes with the Chocolate Frosting and topped with the Strawberry Whipped Cream
(Printable version of recipe)

Doesn't this just say ...................

Bite me?

So what are your Valentines Day plans?

Do you go out? Do make a special treat or dinner?

I'm sharing this recipe at Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam Mouth Watering Mondays and Tuesdays at the Table, Cupcake Tuesday, and Foodie Friday Make Ahead Meals (Cake Theme) recipe exchanges, and Kimba's DIY Day.

Puffcorn and Chocolate = L.O.V.E

This sweet yummy treat will have your sweetheart begging for more.

After Christmas a friend of mine introduced me to Puffcorn!
Have you tried it?
It's the perfect alternative to popcorn!
It has all the taste and flavor of popcorn without the nasty kernels,
so it's easier on your teeth and gums.

This same friend told me to try it with chocolate drizzled on it!........

This stuff is sinful people!!

It's an irresistible treat

and SOOOO simple!!

What you need for Chocolate Drizzled Puffcorn:

• Puffcorn
• melted white or milk chocolate candy melts
  
• Cookie Sheet
• Wax paper
• small ziplock bag

1. Buy a bag of Chester's Puffcorn, spread out on a wax paper lined cookie sheet.
   
2. Place about 1 cup of melting wafers into a small ziplock bag (unsealed) and microwave for about 10 seconds to soften.
   
3. Massage the wafers in the bags and microwave again for about 10 seconds. Repeat this until the candy is smooth (about 1 minute). Be very careful not to melt the ziplock bags. If you find this is happening, just melt the wafers in a small dish and transfer them to bags when they are melted. Press out excess air from the bags and seal them.
4. Snip a small corner from the bag (about 1/16-inch).
   

Drizzle chocolate over Puffcorn
I did some in white chocolate, some in Milk Chocolate and some with both!
Let cool.
Enjoy!

I DARE you to see if you can eat just one hand full!

You can put a little into cellophane bags tied with ribbon to give to your Valentine.

Chocolate + Puffcorn = Works for ME!

Click the button to see what tips other's have at We Are THAT Family this week.

I've also linked this to the Ultimate Recipe Swap.

While you're here, don't miss the giveaway
from my new sponsor Photo Jewelry Making.com!
Click here to enter

How to: Felt {Valentine}Rosette Flower Pin

After seeing some of the wonderful felt heart wreaths around in blog world, like Amy's and Robin's.........I started thinking, maybe I could make a pin, using the same concept.

>

I started with a 9x12 piece of red felt that I bought at Michales. Grabbed a glass that was about 3" in diameter, and traced 6 circles on my piece of felt, then cut them out.

Next you can follow the steps in my picture.

(you also click the picture and choose to view in a larger size for detail)

• Take one circle, fold it in half,
• then in half again.
• Hand stitch thru the bottom point enough to keep it folded.
• Then do the same with each of the circles. I just went from one to the next pulling my thread tightly to keep them all together(I just placed them randomly around each other, not in a stack...it will make sense when you're making it, you basically want the tips sewn together). When I had all 6 pieces attached I put a few more stitches in to keep them nice and tight together.
• Next sew them onto a little pin backing (you can these at Michaels in the jewelry making section).

These were so easy and I love how they turned out! The red makes them perfect for Valentine's Day!

You can wear them on a sweater or jacket, t-shirt, on a bag......or give as a gift!

You could even use them as embellishments on scarves, hats, or pillows – oh, you get the picture!......just sew them right on instead of pining them on!

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My talented friend Amy of Living Locurto is featuring another meal plan by me this week!!

Click here to see my meal plan for this week,

she makes it SO easy by putting my meal plan in a pdf file.....she even has a shopping list made up for each meal!

I'm linking this project post up at the following blog parties:

Metamorphosis Monday, Make it for Monday, Make it Mondays, Making the World Cuter, Just Something I whipped Up, Motivate Me Monday, Make Your Monday, Thrifty Decor Chick,Strut your stuff Valentines, Hoosier Homemade Valentine Party, It's so very Creative, DIY Day, Today's Creative Blog, Talented Tuesday,

This post is featured on DIY Show off today!! Thanks Roeshel!

Sweetheart Cherry Cake

Valentines day is just a short 2 weeks away. We don't celebrate by buying gifts or going out for an expensive dinner, but I do enjoy baking Valentine goodies for my family. To me, Valentines Day is really about the simple gestures you make to show someone you love them ♥.

That's why I was really excited when I was asked to make a cake using a recipe and pie filling from Lucky Leaf, maker of easy-to-use dessert products. They sent me a heart-shaped cake pan from Wilton, 2 cans of Lucky Leaf Premium Cherry Pie Filling, some CUTE heart- shaped measuring spoons and a recipe for a Sweetheart Cherry Cake.

Lucky Leaf is a 60 year old family owned business who believes in providing simple, delicious dessert products for families. At first, Lucky Leaf was solely dedicated to fresh applesauce. But as the American woman became too busy to make her delicious homemade pies from scratch, they took care of the hard part and started making ready-to-use apple pie filling. Today you can find Premium Cherry, Apple, Blueberry, Lemon, Red Raspberry, Lite, and Crème in your grocery stores — so you can make whichever type of pie you want quickly and easily.

Even if you don't really enjoy pie, you're sure to find a great Lucky Leaf recipe and filling you would like. They show you how to make everything from pies and salads to Sweet & Spicy Chicken...and many more!!

Sweetheart Cherry Cake (from Lucky Leaf)
(printable recipe)

Ingredients

1 (18.25 oz) dry white cake mix
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 (21 oz) can Lucky Leaf Premium Cherry Pie Filling

Preparation

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease 9 x 2 1/2-inch heart-shaped cake pan* (substitute heart pan for 9x13 pan)

Mix together on medium speed, dry cake mix, eggs, baking powder, both extracts, and 1/2 can of Lucky Leaf Premium Cherry Pie Filling until moistened. Fold in the remainging 1/2 can of cherry pie filling by hand until blended (if you'd prefer cherry pieces in stead of whole cherries, then just add the whole can and mix). Batter should appear thick.

Pour batter into pan, and level with a spatula.

Bake for 65-75 minutes for heart shape pan(mine was done in 65), 40-45 for 9x13 pan, or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove cake from oven and allow to cool completely in pan. Invert cake onto a serving platter to decorate.

Buttercream Icing (from Lucky Leaf)

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract
4 cups (1 pound) confectioners' sugar, sifted
2-4 tablespoons milk
food coloring (optional)

Preparation
Cream butter and both extracts. Slowly add confectioners' sugar, beating well. Add 2 tablespoons of milk. Mix well. If needed, continue adding milk 1 tablespoon at a time until icing is smooth and spreadable. Mix in food coloring, if desired. *This would also be cute in pink or red icing. I colored a small amount brown to pipe around the edges with 1M tip.

Decorating ideas Lucky Leaf suggest: Icing all sides of the cake, then evenly spoon 1/2 can of additional cherry pie filling over top (keeping the pie filling about one inch from the edge of the cake). Pat sliced almonds or mini chocolate chips onto the side of the iced cake.

Optional ideas I thought of

• you could pipe some of the buttercream around the cherry pie filling, like I did.
• you could put chocolate chips around the edge of cherry pie filling (like a heart outline)
• tint your buttercream pink, ice whole cake then sprinkle top with chocolate chips and cherry pie filling
• add a few mini chocolate chips to the cake mix
  
• use a chocolate cake mix instead of white.
• use 2 cans of any flavor prepared icing instead of making buttercream icing.
  

there really are just endless possibilities!

This cake was VERY moist and delicious!! I'm a big fan of cherry and almonds....this combination made this cake ever so YUMMY! I can't wait to make it again, and add a little chocolate.

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!
Winners can be found on this post!

10 TidyMom readers can win their own
Wilton Heart-shaped pan
so you can make your cake look extra special for Valentines Day!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED, so the winners can hopefully get their pans in time for Valentines Day!

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I'm linking this post to Hoosier Homemade's Valentine Party!!
Be sure to go over and check out ALL of the Valentine Ideas.....
there are giveaways too!!

Somewhat Simple is also having a Valentine Strut Your Stuff party!



And Sarah's Your Life, YourBlog party!

I'm also sharing this recipe at Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam Mouth Watering Mondays and Tuesdays at the Table, Ultimate Recipe Swap, Foodie Friday recipe exchanges and DYI Show Off's Valentine party.

Chocolate {Valentine} Cutout Cookies

I first saw these cookies on Flickr. Glorious Treats made them.......and they look AMAZING!!

Sunshine and I made them over the weekend.......ours don't look as perfect and as glorious as the ones we saw on Flickr........but not bad for our first attempt!

It took a little bit of foot work to track down the recipe, but I found it! Posted here on a cake message board.

Chocolate {Valentine} Cutout Cookies

(printable recipe)

1 cup unsalted butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
2 Tbsp extra-strong coffee or chocolate liqueur *(I used Vanilla with instant coffee mixed in)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Cream together the butter and sugars for 2 minutes.
Scrape the bowl and cream the mixture for an additional minute. Beat in the egg
and coffee or liqueur. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the flour mixture 1 cup at a time to the butter mixture. Mix well.

Divide dough and chill. Bake 6 to 8 minutes at 350 degrees. Allow cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. This dough can be frozen.

*I got (18) 3" hearts and (9) 4.5" hearts out of one batch.

Ice with Royal Icing. Color with Americolor Super Red and Americolor Deep Pink.

Bridget of Bake at 350 has some GREAT posts on
Royal Icing - just click here to read them!

I'm sharing this recipe at Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam Mouth Watering Mondays and Tuesdays at the Table, Foodie Friday recipe exchanges alos Kimba's DIY Day and Kristin's Works for Me Wednesday. Be sure to visit them for more great recipes and ideas!

I'm linking this post to Hoosier Homemade's Valentine Party!!
Be sure to go over and check out ALL of the Valentine Ideas.....
there are giveaways too!!

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You won't want to miss Teresa's Pink Party!

Fun Valentine Ideas

Since Valentines Day is now less than a month away
I thought I'd share some ideas I've seen around Blogville!

How stinkin' ADORABLE are these bags?

Perfect for Valentine TREATS and NOTES!

Check at the tutorial here at Our Scoop

Speaking of Valentines..................

You'll have the cutest goodies around when you use

Amy of Living Locurto FREE Valentine printables!

She has valentines, treat toppers and even bookmarks!!

Check them all out here

Amy of The Idea Room has a tutorial for her

beautiful red felt heart wreath here.

Planning to bake/decorate cookies for Valentines Day?

Bridget has some GREAT cookie ideas she's done in the past!!

Click here for Bake at 350 Valentine Cookie ideas

I can't wait to start some of my valentine baking.......
I have something new I'm going to try!........
need to order some GOOD red gel coloring.....

Brooke made these EASY photo tiles!

You could have lots of fun playing BINGO with these little Valentine-themed bingo cards
she mad too!

Check Brooke's Blog Little Wonders
for her Valentine tutorial ideas here

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
I'd love to hear about your valentine projects!
Do you decorate for Valentines Day?
If so when do you put it out?