White Chocolate Strawberry Snack Mix

Make this white chocolate strawberry snack mix with strawberry and vanilla Chex, Cheerios, freeze-dried strawberries and white chocolate for a Valentine’s treat that is festive and takes minimal effort. This no-bake recipe comes together in minutes and somehow disappears even faster, making it an ideal snack for class parties, galentine’s get-togethers or just late-night cravings.

Ingredients

• 1 bag freeze-dried strawberries (about 1.2 ounces or 1½ cups)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 5 cups strawberry and vanilla Chex (or similar crisp rice cereal squares)
• 4 cups Honey Nut Cheerios (or similar oat cereal)
• 3 4-ounce white chocolate bars, chopped
• 1 cup pink candy-coated chocolates (such as pink M&M’s)
• ¼ cup red and white heart sprinkles

Directions

1. Blend freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder (or crush in a sealed bag).
2. Whisk strawberry powder with  powdered sugar; set it aside.
3. Combine strawberry and vanilla Chex and Honey Nut Cheerios in a large bowl.
   
4. Melt white chocolate in 15-second intervals at 50% power, stirring until smooth.
   
5. Pour melted chocolate over cereal and gently toss to coat.
   
6. Sprinkle strawberry-sugar mixture over cereal and toss until lightly pink.
   
7. Stir in M&M’s and sprinkles.
   
8. Store in an airtight container for up to five days.

Valentine’s-Inspired Sugar Cookies

These Valentine’s sugar cookies were made from scratch with one goal in mind: have a fun and delicious treat to decorate. The base is a soft, buttery sugar cookie, but the real personality comes after they finish baking. Pink and white frosting, cupid’s blend M&M’s, conversation hearts and sprinkles give each cookie its own design. No two look the same, and that is exactly the point.

Ingredients (cookies)

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour

Decorations (guideline amounts)

• 1 cup pink frosting
• 1 cup white frosting
• ½  cup cupid’s blend M&M’s
• ½  cup conversation hearts
• ½ cup Valentine’s Day sprinkles mix

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the vanilla, salt and egg yolk and mix well. Gradually add the flour until a soft dough forms.
   
2. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap and chill for about 15 minutes.
   
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
   
4. Scoop a small amount of dough, roll it into a ball with your hands and place it on a baking sheet. Gently press down slightly so it can bake into a round shape. Repeat with the remaining dough.
   
5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are just slightly golden.
   
6. Let the cookies cool on the tray for about 20 minutes so the frosting will not melt.
   
7. Spread pink or white frosting on each cooled cookie.
   
8. Decorate with M&M’s, conversation hearts and sprinkles as desired.

Raspberry Heart Gummies

These bright and flavorful heart gummies have a refreshing and vibrant color that captures the spirit of Valentine’s Day. Raspberries add sweetness with a little tang to the soft and chewy texture. They work well as a treat or an addition to the dessert table.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons gelatin
• ½ cup water
• 10 ounces frozen raspberries (one bag)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon
• 3 tablespoons honey

Directions

1. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of gelatin in ½ cup water and let it set for 10 minutes.
2. Gently simmer water, lemon juice and raspberries in a small saucepan for 10 minutes.
3. Cool slightly and strain to discard the seeds.
4. Take the strained juice and put it back in the saucepan along with the water gelatin mixture.
5. Warm over low heat, add honey and whisk until everything is incorporated.
6. Spoon into heart molds or ice cube trays.
7. Set in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Frozen Berry Bark

Caption photo: Frozen berry bark is an easy-to-make treat that perfectly balances creamy yogurt with the sweetness and tartness from the fruit. It was topped with chocolate chips and freeze dried fruit. 

This light pink frozen yogurt bark is creamy, light and delicately sweet. Fresh raspberries or strawberries are mixed into the yogurt, then topped with chocolate chips and crushed up freeze-dried berries. Once frozen, the bark easily snaps into pieces that melt in your mouth and are refreshing during this sunny weather. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup of strawberries or raspberries
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• Toppings: chocolate chips, freeze dried berries, sprinkles (optional)

Directions

1. Mash the strawberries or raspberries in a bowl until smooth.
2. Add in the yogurt and mix together.
3. Pour into lined parchment paper on a pan.
4. Add toppings of choice.
5. Place in the freezer for two hours until firm.
6. Break into pieces and enjoy.