Cute Valentine Ideas

We try to do something different from the everyday store bought cards.  This is our favorite from the past few years. 

No Bake Lemonade Pie using Lemonades from Girl Scouts

Crush 1 package Girl Scout Lemonade Cookies (set back 2 or 3 if you want them on top)
Mix cookies with 1/3 melted butter
Press in a 8 by 8 pan

Mix with a mixer-
16 ounces softened cream cheese
2 cups powdered sugar
Lemon Juice to taste ( I used the juice of 2 whole large lemons)

Fold in a small tub of cool whip, pour over crust. 
For the top I swirled in a little yellow food color. wink emoticon
Chill for 2-3 hours, garnish with the cookies that you set aside

Faux Potato Casserole

2 1⁄2 cups cooked cauliflower 
1 cup sour cream
3⁄4 cup shredded cheddar cheese 
3 green onions, finely chopped
3 -6 slices crumpled cooked bacon 
salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

Pre-heat oven to 350.
Chop cooked cauliflower into desired size
Mix sour cream, 1/2 of the green onions, 1/2 of the cheese, 1/2 of the bacon, and salt and pepper to taste in medium bowl.
Stir in the cauliflower.
Place in medium baking dish and sprinkle remaining cheese and bacon on top.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Sprinkle the remaining green onions on top just before serving. ( I was all out of them)

Low Carb Brownie Cups

We are on Day 5 of this round of low carb eating and supplements. He is down 10 pounds and I am down 5. I think we can celebrate a little with these low carb brownie cups!

2 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp almond flour
1 tsp coconut flour
1½ Tbsp granulated sugar substitute
¼ tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
1 egg
1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp baking powder
1 square Lindt 90% chocolate, chopped
2 Tbsp pecans, chopped (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Melt the butter in a small microwave safe bowl (about 30 seconds in microwave). Add the remaining ingredients and stir until combined. Pour batter into 2 small greased mugs or ramekins. Microwave for 1 minute. (add another 30 seconds if necessary). Serve with whipped cream or sugar free vanilla ice cream.

Recipe was given to me by a friend.  

Thin Mint Brownies

Thin Mint Brownies

1. Make brownie mix according to directions

2. Top with mint buttercream (recipe below) and crushed thin mints)

3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon mint extract
A few drops green food color
1 to 2 tablespoons whipping cream

In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk, mix together sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.

Add extract, food color, and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed for spreading consistency.

Monster Cookies

  They are thick, chewy and are perfect with milk.  

1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated white sugar
8 (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups quick cooking oats
2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup M&M's 

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until smooth. 

2. Beat in the eggs, one at a time.

3. Stir in the vanilla.

4. Mix in baking soda and oats until well blended. 

5. Stir in the chocolate candies and chocolate chips.

6. Drop by rounded tablespoon on cookie sheet.  (I use a cookie scoop)

7.  Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Do not overbake!

8.  Cool for 5 minutes on cookie sheets until cookies are set. Transfer to wire racks; cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Merry Mail Card Holder

My daughter and niece helped me make this cute card holder a couple days ago.

How-

Paint a board
Paint some clothes pins
Glue the pins to the board with hot glue
Decorate.

It was super simple and took less than 30 minutes start to finish.

My Favorite Sugar Cookie Dough

Suzie's Favorite Sugar Cookie Dough

1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) softened butter 

3/4 C. sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla (or any favorite flavor. I use 1 tsp almond & 1 tsp vanilla)

2 C. flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

Cream butter and sugar until well mixed. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Slowly add the dry ingredients until well blended. It is a soft dough. Make into a ball and cover with plastic wrap. Chill for 1 hour 

Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Directions

1. Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars together in a bowl; beat in eggs.
2. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; stir into butter mixture. Put dough in refrigerator for 1 hour.
3. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and put on baking sheets. Flatten each ball with a fork, making a crisscross pattern. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F oven for about 10 minutes or until cookies begin to brown.

Rainbow Melted Crayon Art

Rainbow Melted Crayon Art is fairly easy to do and so much fun.  The one

pictured was done by me. For instructions head over to this blog.