Easy Valentine's Day Sweets

Cooking with kids is fun and easy. I enlisted my little helpers to make some sweet treats for the week. I think they were as excited as I was with how it all turned out.

With a few items from the store we were able to create an impressive dessert platter with plenty to share with friends.

I'm not always opposed to baking from a box, especially when you have children involved. It's great for them to be able to measure and follow the directions. They can then go into a store and see the options for making things themselves without feeling overwhelmed by measuring flour and sugar. It's a great starting point for any young chef!

Brendan is great in the kitchen. He's 12 and showing interest in making a variety of things. He's a great cook already. I enlisted him to make Blueberry Muffins so they would have a quick homemade breakfast option before school. With the addition of a teaspoon of vanilla extract and fresh blueberries as well as the enclosed can of wild blueberries, he was able to make some delicious Blueberry Muffins! I had him top them with a little raw sugar for a professional touch. They turned out perfect!

Baleigh is 14 and after our Super Bowl cooking extravaganza she's been excited about desserts. We made some fancy looking chocolate covered strawberries. The secret to easy chocolate covered anything is a product called Almond Bark. It comes in vanilla and chocolate options. It's usually found next to the chocolate chips in the baking section.

Baleigh wanted to add some color to the white so she added a few drops of pink coloring and a splash of almond extract. You melt the almond bark in the microwave until it's fluid and then get to dipping. While the coating is still warm you can add sprinkles if you like. I sliced up some fresh pineapple and dried it with a paper towel so the chocolate would adhere, dipped it using a toothpick, and set it on parchment to solidify. All of the fruit turned out great! Fun and easy!