Good for your soul

I love to bake for every holiday and share the treats with my family. This year, I had lots of sprinkles left over and some Reeses peanut butter cups and star shaped sugar cookie dough that I wanted to use up.

I made my childhood friends peanut blossom recipe and put a scoop of dough in mini muffin tins. When they were finished, I pressed a peanut butter cup into each one, and then sprinkled with Valentine sprinkles.

Peanut Blossom Recipe I used

1 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 cup shortening (butter or Crisco) 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 egg 2 tbsp. milk 1 tsp. vanilla additional sugar, for rolling 3 dozen Hershey’s Kisses Sift flour with baking soda and salt. Cream shortening and peanut butter with sugars. Add egg, milk and vanilla. Blend in dry ingredients gradually. Chill.Roll in small balls the size of a walnut. Roll in sugar. Place on cookie sheet. Bake at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes. Push Kisses into cookies while they are still soft and put back in oven for 2 to 4 minutes longer. Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Sugar cookies

Since I had star sugar cookies dough in the freezer left over from Christmas, I made those and just decorated with Valentine Sprinkles.

I made this Valentine Bark to use up sprinkles, but also because I thought it would be cute to include. I just melted chocolate and spread on parchment. Then I melted white chocolate mixed with red melting disks. I then swirled that on the chocolate. I sprinkled sprinkles and pressed conversation hearts into the chocolate. I put in fridge for an hour and then broke it apart.

Cherry Garcia Cookies

I found this recipe online and wanted to try it. Id make some changes next time. Id use a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe and add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Id use 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, 3/4 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped. The 1/2 cup dried cherries were soaked overnight in cherry brandy, then drained before adding.

Peanut butter cutouts. Basic peanut butter dough. Roll out and after cooled dip in chocolate. Decorate with M&Ms or sprinkles.

Variations for chocolate chip cookie dough. Mix sprinkles into dough, dip dough into sprinkles, press M&Ms into dough, make in muffins and top with a chocolate heart. Purchased the liners on amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L6HJZI4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I made Rice Krispies and formed into shape of a kiss. You need to do this first and let them dry before wrapping or else they will stick to the foil.

Red velvet cookies decorated with M&Ms.

Strawberry chocolate chip cookies. I used a strawberry cake mix.

I decorate the boxes for the treats I mail. Target had these cute trays in the front of the store for $5 this year too. Fun way to treat those you love for Valentines Day! Happy Baking!