Valentine’s Day has changed a bit since we went from being a couple to being a family. The day isn’t so much about just the two of us anymore, although we make time for each other, but it’s also about including our little sweetheart.
Handmade cards and decorations are certainly part of our Valentine’s Day celebration. But, the most memorable part of the day in our house comes in the form of sweets. And, we are ready for some treats right about now! I’m glad Valentine’s Day comes in the middle of February; right about the time when my New Year’s resolutions start to get the best of me. After weeks and weeks of eating healthy and sensibly, it’s time for a treat.
One of our favorite Valentine’s Day treats is not what you would expect. We like our chocolate, and enjoy the occasional fancy chocolate, but for my family the classic Coconut Macaroon is perfect for Valentine’s Day. Here’s my favorite recipe that is easy for even the littlest sweetheart to mix up. You can mix in about a half cup to a cup of chocolate chips if you prefer, but we like to dip our macaroons in melted chocolate. I hope you’ll give these a try this Valentine’s Day.
Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons
- 14 oz package of sweetened coconut
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (homemade is fine)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
In a large bowl combine the coconut, condensed milk and vanilla. Stir well. Drop by small spoonfuls onto a very well greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove from the cookie sheet while still slightly warm. Makes about 3 dozen.
To melt chocolate for dipping:
Use either coating chocolate or real milk chocolate. You’ll find both in big chunks in the baking aisle. Chop chocolate into very small pieces and put in double boiler insert (reserve a handful); set aside. Fill bottom part of double boiler with water and bring to a boil; remove from heat. Put insert with chocolate pieces into bottom of double boiler and start stirring the chocolate until most of it melts. Remove insert from bottom of double boiler, add the reserved pieces of chopped chocolate, and continue stirring until chocolate is completely melted. Immediately dip cooled macaroons in chocolate by hand. Only half the macaroon will be coated; that’s just fine. It’s cute that way. You may prefer to drizzle the chocolate over the macaroons on the cookie sheet. Either way is nice. Play with them until you get the look you like.
Another treat we love to make for Valentine’s Day is heart shaped cut out sugar cookies. I either add red food coloring gel to the dough and frost the cookies in white, or I color the icing instead. Using a simple sugar cookie icing, divide it into two glass bowls. Then just add food color gel into one bowl until you reach a pink color, and add coloring into the other bowl until it gets red. I also like to have candy sprinkles on hand for more fun. Small tubes of ‘writing’ gel is fun to use for personalizing the cookies, but it’s not necessary if you don’t want to spend the extra money. No matter how you decorate these cookies, nothing says “Be My Valentine” like a plate full of pink and red heart cookies!
Take time out this Valentine’s Day to treat your sweethearts to something almost as sweet as they are! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Warmly,
Susanne – The Hillbilly Housewife
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Susan Birmingham is a trained coach from The Coaches Training Institute and works as a Relationship and Marriage Coach based in Long Beach California. Susan is also an expert in helping women give themselves the ultimate in self-care, building self-esteem. Even when you think you’ve got it she takes you to another level of awareness. She works with women from all walks of life helping them get on the right track to creating a Successful Marriage.
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