So it’s the day before Valentines Day. You have no gift. You didn’t plan for a getaway or a trip to the spa. Your throat is constricting as you wonder how are you going to pull this off and just how late will that jewelry store stay open.

Relax. Take a deep breath and release.

You, my friend, are going to head to the kitchen. Everyone has time to make a run to the supermarket, and cooking these delish dishes won’t take all day either, 30-60 minutes tops. So put on your chef’s hat and give your sweetie, these sweeties.

Chocolate Covered Cherries

Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
8 tablespoons melted butter
6 tablespoons corn syrup
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 pounds confectioners’ sugar
3 (10 ounce) jars maraschino cherries, drained
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 tablespoon shortening

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and sugar. Knead dough, and form it into balls with a cherry wrapped in the middle. The balls should be approximately the size of walnuts. Place balls in the freezer to chill.
2. In a double boiler, melt chocolate chips and shortening together. Dip the cooled balls in the chocolate, let cool on parchment paper.

Strawberry Sauce
Drizzle this over ice cream or over heart shaped pancakes.

Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
4-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 cup orange juice concentrate
4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch. Stir in orange juice concentrate until smooth; add strawberries.
2. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Cool.
3. Store in the refrigerator.

Valentine Cookies

Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
2 pkg Betty Crocker Super Moist white or yellow cake mix
2/3 cup shortening
2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
2 tubs Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy ready to spread frosting

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix about half of the cake mix (dry) and remaining ingredients, except frosting, in a large bowl, using spoon until thoroughly mixed. Stir in remaining cake mix.
2. Divide dough in half. Roll each half 1/4 inch thick on lightly floured cloth covered board with cloth covered rolling pin. Cut dough with 2 1/2inch heart or bell shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake 6-8 minutes or until set. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Decorate with frosting.

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Tags: recipes, chocolate cherries, strawberry sauce, valentine cookies