Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Who doesn’t love chocolate covered strawberries?!?! They are one of my most favorite treats ever and I love it because they are actually good for you (well… better at least than some desserts, especially if you make them with rich dark chocolate, nums!) Anyways, this is a very typical yet delicious milk chocolate covered strawberry recipe that is perfect for valentines day or really any day of the month in my opinion. This recipe requires using a double broiler which I think melts the chocolate perfectly, but you can also use a microwave or fondue pot.

Ingredients

* 16 ounces milk chocolate chips
* 2 tablespoons shortening
* 1 pound fresh strawberries with stems

Directions

1. Grasp the stem or green leaves of the strawberry and dip into the chocolate and swirl in chocolate to partially cover.

2. Give the strawberry a little shake as you withdraw it from the chocolate so the chocolate will be evenly distributed.

3. When the strawberry is completely withdrawn from the chocolate, swirl it in a quick, clockwise motion to let the excess chocolate drip off.

4. Place on the wax paper covered cookie sheet an repeat with the rest of the strawberries.

5. Once complete either place strawberries into refrigerator or set aside to allow the chocolate to harden, about 30 minutes. Transfer fruit onto a serving platter to serve.

NOTE: The chocolate dipped strawberries are best if eaten within 24 hours – refrigerate for longer storage, but serve at room temperature for greatest flavor.

Valentine Puzzle Sugar Cookie With Royal Icing

These Valentines puzzle sugar cookies are just perfect to give as gifts to your couple friends, family members or for your sweetheart this Valentines day!

These cookies are actually pretty easy to make despite how they look and they will surely make a terrific impression on your receiver. This is also one of the best sugar cookie recipes with icing that can be made to ship. So if you want to surprise your aunt or friend in Kalamazoo, these are the cookies to make. Just let them sit for about 24 after you have decorated them and then you can wrap and ship them.

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups unsalted butter
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Cream sugar and butter until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl and add to butter mixture. Mix well.
• Put a handful of the freshly made dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll to desired thickness. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Put the rolled dough, including the parchment paper, on a cookie sheet and refrigerate for 10 minutes or longer. Your dough will be chilled and ready to cut and bake with now wait and no added flour! Repeat with scraps after cutting cookies.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 8 -10 minutes. Let cool.

*Puzzle Cookie Cutter from Amazon.com

Royal Icing

Ingredients:
• 1 pound confectioners sugar, sifted
• 5 tablespoons meringue powder
• 1/2 cup of water, and more if needed

• Combine all ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until smooth and creamy, about 7 to 10 minutes. If icing is too thick, add more water. If too thin, beat icing 2 to 3 minutes more. Add just a drop of red or pink icing, mix until you get the desired color.
• Begin piping the the cookie around the edges and then slowly fill in. Once the layer has set (about 30 min,) you can then add the names or decorate further.