MFRET Sweet Treats Recipe Round Up for Valentine's Day!

Still looking for the perfect treat to bake up for your sweetheart on Friday?

Since our team is full of SWEET people, we thought it'd be fun to share our favorite sweet treat recipes with YOU for Valentine's Day!  We've submitted our favorites, pinned them on Pinterest, and here they are in no particular order:

David's Pick: Red Velvet Cake Bars





Rachel's Pick: Sticky Toffee Pudding 





Lauri's Pick: DIY Thin Mints





Deneen's Pick: Triple Chocolate Cookies 




Audrey's Pick: Valentine's Day Chocolate Pretzel Buttons

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If you want to check our more of our favorite foods, check out our Team Eats Pinterest Board!

What treats will YOU be eating this Valentine's Day?

Team Eats: Rachel's Tips for PERFECT Sticky Toffee Pudding

After having Sticky Toffee Pudding at The Whip Tavern a few years ago I decided it was so good I needed to know how to make it.  Below is a link to a recipe that I use, I have also included some tricks that I find very useful.

Rachel's Go-To Recipe 

for 

STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING

Rachel's Tips:

1.  After the cakes are done use a straw to stick in the middle and remove some of the cake.  This ensures that the cake really soaks up the sauce.

2.  Do not start to prepare the sauce until right before you plan on serving, if it sits for to long it starts to get really thick and harden. 

3.  Serving vanilla ice cream and whip cream on the side are a MUST.  It will melt in the sauce and helps to tone down the sweetness of it. 

I would also like to challenge anyone who makes this to then try the Whip's version and see how they compare.  I was very impressed with the fact that I (along with others) have confirmed mine tastes better!

Team Eats: Deneen's Triple Chocolate Cookies

Deneen enjoys making these chocolate cookies with her daughter - they even decided to make a video about it!  Bake these before guests arrive to make the house smell scrumptious!

• 
  
• 2 1/2 Cups all purpose flour 
• 1 tsp baking soda 
• 1/4 tsp sale 
• 1 cup unsalted butter AT ROOM TEMPERATURE 
• 1 1/2 cup brown sugar 
• 1/2 cup of granulated sugar 
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract... 
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips 
• 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips 
• 3 eggs 
• 1 cup MELTED semisweet chocolate chips (can melt in microwave) 
• A little extra sugar for rolling 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix flour, salt and baking soda in a bowl and set aside.
Cream sugars and butter.

After it is all creamed together, add the cocoa powder; then add the melted chocolate, add eggs, and the vanilla. When it is all mixed through, add the dry ingredients. Do not over mix. Add the chips and just gently mix them through. 

Roll out small balls (after rolling through the extra granulated sugar). Spray a light mist of non-stick spray on cookie sheets.
Cook for 11-13 minutes. Enjoy!!!


And for those who need a visual, here's is Deneen's Video Tutorial!

Team Eats: Audrey's Chocolate Pretzel Buttons

These are one of Audrey's favorite treats to make for Valentine's Day!  If you have a showing in February, leaving a bowl of these Valentine's-Themed Chocolate Pretzel Buttons on your counter for potential buyers to enjoy would be a nice touch!

What you'll need:

• Square or regular pretzels
• Hershey's Hugs or Kisses
• Valentines M&Ms

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 200°. (If your oven runs hot you may want to turn the temp down to 170°.)

• Place the pretzels on & top with the hugs. 

• Bake for 4-5 minutes until the chocolate is shiny and soft (but NOT melting - they should still hold their shape). 

• Carefully place an M&M in the center of each hug and press it down to spread the chocolate. 

• Allow to cool completely (a few minutes in the fridge works perfectly) and enjoy!

Pinterest: Valentine's Day Decor

I know, two Pinterest posts in a row.  BUT, with Valentine's Day being TOMORROW, I thought it would be fun to share a few Valentine-theme decor pins to inspire you in making your home festive for the romantic holiday. I couldn't resist!!

I love that little touches here and there can make a home subtly "themed" for a holiday:

An aptly-decorated mantle

Source: pinksugarphotography.typepad.com via Ofelia on Pinterest

A fun display over a desk or counter

Source: casabellaproject.com via Shantay on Pinterest

Simple Window Art

Source: marthastewart.com via Ivy on Pinterest

A Classic, clean vase arrangement

Source: dozidesign.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

A wreath to greet you at the door

Source: u-createcrafts.com via Jillian on Pinterest

Or you can go all out:

An outdoor Valentine's Paradise

Source: annesage.com via Lynn on Pinterest

Dining Room a la Valentine

Source: little-inspirations.blogspot.com via Heléna on Pinterest

Can someone create this for me????

Source: celebrationsathomeblog.com via Tagan on Pinterest

How will your home say Valentine's Day?  What are you doing for your Special Someone??