Valentine Specials

Charles M. Schulz

Cook's notes: Easy last minute valentine specials

Heart-Shaped French Toast

Cook's notes: recipe inspiration from landolakes.com
Ingredients:

Strawberry Butter

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 TB. strawberry preserves
• 8 (3/4-inch) slices Italian bread or another type of firm bread
• 1/3 cup half and half
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup butter
• Powdered sugar

Directions:

• Combine 1/2 cup butter, 1/3 cup powdered sugar and preserves in bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Cover; refrigerate until serving time.
• Cut bread slices with a 2 1/2- to 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter. Combine half & half, eggs and vanilla in 9-inch pie plate; mix well. Dip 4 bread shapes into half & half mixture, turning to coat both sides; let stand 1-2 minutes. 
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in 10-inch nonstick skillet or griddle until sizzling; add coated bread. Cook over medium heat, turning once, 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from skillet; keep warm. Carefully clean skillet with paper towel, if necessary. 
• Repeat dipping remaining bread shapes into egg mixture. Melt remaining butter in skillet and cook bread as directed. 
• Sprinkle hot French toast with powdered sugar; serve with Strawberry Butter.

Heart Shape Bread sticks

inspired by Kraftrecipes.com
Ingredients:

• 1 can (11 oz.) refrigerated soft bread sticks
• 4  TB. grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 tsp. dried thyme, oregano or Italian Herbs  
• 1 tsp.sesame seeds
• 1 egg 
• 1/4 tsp.water

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Separate breadstick dough into 12 pieces. Twist 2 pieces together; form into heart shape on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Repeat with remaining dough pieces to make a total of 6 hearts.
• Combine egg and water with a whisk, brush on dough hearts.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds, dried herbs and Parmesan cheese. 
• Bake 15 to 18 min. or until lightly browned. Serve warm.

Strawberries with Chocolate Hazelnut Filling

Cook's notes: The recipe can be easily halved.

Ingredients:

• 1 – 8 oz. brick of cream cheese, softened
• 1 – 10 oz. jar of Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
• 3 – TB. powdered sugar
• 1-2 TB Amaretto or Kahlua
• 2 – lbs. fresh strawberries

Directions:

• Blend cream cheese, hazelnut chocolate spread, and powdered sugar until fully integrated and creamy. 
• Use a paring knife cut the top of the strawberries off and discard, hollow out the inside of the strawberry slightly to make a cavity to stuff the chocolate cream cheese in. Fill the strawberries and refrigerate.

Side note: Nutella spread works fine for this recipe but if you happen to come across  this product shopping check it out. The spread is top of the line in flavor :)