Valentine’s Day

Holiday Pancakes

~ Annie Allodi ~ Leave a comment

IMG_3126

Whether you’re throwing a festive Valentine’s Day brunch or looking to feed a very hungry partner in the kitchen, these heartful pancakes are a must!

Every year I ambitiously plan to make a super elaborate Valentine’s Day brunch.. but every year I wake up on the 14th still dreaming that my non-existent private chef is patiently waiting to serve me breakfast in bed.

I often forget how easy pancakes are and with one extra step you can dress up an old recipe into a stunning holiday plate! Add a fun twist to your routine breakfast without losing any of the original, scrumptious pancake flavor.

DSC_3412 - Version 2

You will need:

– Pancake Mix (I used Martha Stewart’s recipe)
– Red food coloring
– Heart shaped cookie cutter
– Powdered sugar or toppings of choice

 

  • Split pancake batter into 2 bowls and put a few drops of red food coloring in one of the bowls. I used about 5 drops of coloring until the mix turned a medium red. Make pancakes as instructed and place them on a flat surface.
  •  Press your cookie cutter into the pancake and gently move it from side to side to make sure it has successfully cut through.
  • Collect the heart cut outs and gently place it back inside the pancake of opposite color. *Optional: place pancakes in the oven at 200°F for a few minutes to warm up before serving.  

IMG_3125

  • Top with powdered sugar and enjoy!

DSC_3412

Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich

~ Annie Allodi ~ 1 Comment

I’ve been brainstorming some dessert ideas to make for my Valentine this year immediately thought to combine his two favorite things – ice cream and cookies. Selfishly I love this recipe because it doesn’t require any baking.

These ice cream sandwiches are a festive treat that you can customize for any occasion and you likely already have half of the ingredients in your kitchen!

IMG_2837You will need:

– Chewy Chips Ahoy cookies
– Ice cream of choice
– Melting chocolate
– Sprinkles

 

  • Gather your cookies and ice cream of choice. Be sure to use a softer cookie like the Chewy Chips Ahoy cookies – remember the cookies will harden when you freeze them later.

IMG_2841

  • Place a small spoonful of the ice cream on the cookie and level it out before sandwiching it with another cookie. Immediately place in the freezer to harden.

IMG_2840

  • Once the sandwiches have hardened, assemble the melting chocolate and sprinkles. Quickly coat the sandwiches in chocolate followed by sprinkles and stick back in the freezer.

IMG_2852

  • Let the sandwiches harden for 10 or so minutes and enjoy!

IMG_2851 - Version 2

Heart Strung Garland

~ Annie Allodi ~ Leave a comment

IMG_0485This Valentine’s DIY is super cute and a budget friendly way to add color to any small space.  Very little brain power is required and it’s likely you already have the materials shoved in the back of your junk drawer.

IMG_0418

Start by separating the hearts and diamonds from the rest of the deck. Then use a hole punch or pin to poke 2 holes through the top corners of the cards. IMG_0420

Dip a paint brush in glue and brush over the hearts and diamonds. Make sure to leave room around the hole punches so the string can still get through. Use glitter of your choice to sprinkle over the glue.

Let dry before stringing the cards together. The excess glitter will likely stick to the static on the card so I recommend using a dry paint brush to sweep it off the card.

DSC_3167

Take your thread/string/ribbon and weave it through the cards. Leave a little space between the cards so you can tie extra ribbon on the garland for more color and pazazz.

DSC_3161 DSC_3162

DSC_3168
DSC_3164

You will need:

– 1 deck of cards
– Hole punch or pin
– Glue
– Paintbrush
– Glitter
– String/ribbon