RECIPE: Valentine’s Day Treats

I spent a good portion of my day making valentine’s day chocolate treats.  My Mom found heart shaped chocolate molds that were just big enough to add filling.  I decided to go with strawberry jam for a filling.  I also had smaller molds that filling can be added to so I made those into Sunbutter® chocolates.  YUM!  They were made with no dairy, no nuts, no soy, no egg, no wheat, no corn, no fish…maybe it would be easier for me to write the ingredients instead of writing what’s NOT in it. 🙂

This is what I did…

First I melted one bag of allergy-free chocolate in the microwave for about a minute and a half, while stirring every 30 seconds.  Then I spooned the chocolate into the molds and painted the chocolate onto the sides.  Then I pop them into the fridge for fifteen minutes to set.

Next, I added the filling.  For the hearts I used all natural, organic, strawberry preserves.  For the smaller chocolates I used Sunbutter®.  After I added the filling I used chocolate to fill the cups to the top.  I don’t go crazy trying to make them perfect.  Which usually means I end up with chocolate everywhere.  🙂  Then I pop them in the fridge again for 30 minutes.

As always, I use the leftover chocolate to make bark.  I spread waxed paper onto a cookie sheet, pour the chocolate on top in a thin layer and add whatever I have laying around the house.  Today I used sunflower seeds, raisins, craisins and a few marshmallows (which can easily be omitted for corn allergies, unless there are corn free marshmallows that I’m not aware of).  Then I take another sheet of waxed paper and press the topping firmly into the chocolate.  Then either pop them into the fridge for a quick snack or leave them out on the counter to firm up. 

Unfortunately, the Sunbutter® chocolates didn’t work so well. They got stuck inside the small molds. I think I’ll try the Sunbutter® in the hearts next time. The small molds made it difficult to pop the chocolates out. They still tasted the same and my boys didn’t mind at all, but what a mess!

And at last…here are my chocolaty, valentiny (is that even a word?), deliciousness.  🙂 

-Elizabeth 🙂