Showing posts with label Valentine's Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Valentine's Day. Show all posts

Monday, February 10, 2025

Raspberry-White Chocolate Dream Scones

Sweeten Your Valentine's Day with Raspberry-White Chocolate Dream Scones 





Raspberry-White Chocolate Dream Scones


With Valentine’s Day just around the corner this Friday, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a batch of Raspberry-White Chocolate Dream Scones. These heart-shaped treats are the perfect way to show love—whether you’re surprising your partner with breakfast in bed, treating your kids to a sweet start to the day, or bringing a special homemade gift to a friend. The combination of vibrant raspberries and creamy white chocolate creates a romantic flavor pairing, while the buttery, flaky texture makes them simply irresistible.

Baking these scones is a heartfelt way to say "I love you." The dough comes together quickly with simple ingredients, and cutting them into adorable heart shapes makes them extra festive. The raspberries create naturally beautiful pink and red hues, making them the perfect Valentine’s treat without any artificial coloring. Whether you serve them warm with a drizzle of white chocolate, a dusting of powdered sugar, or simply as they are, they’re guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

One of the best things about this recipe is how effortlessly it comes together with a handful of pantry staples. The key is working with cold butter, which creates that irresistible flaky texture, and handling the dough as little as possible to keep the scones light and tender.

These scones aren’t just for breakfast—pair them with a cup of tea for a cozy Valentine’s afternoon, or wrap them up in a cute box as a homemade edible gift. This Valentine’s Day, skip the store-bought chocolates and bake up something truly special, straight from the heart! ❤️

Enjoy!






What Ingredients do I need?

Refrigerated:

  • Butter
  • Egg
  • Milk

Produce:

  • Fresh raspberries

Baking & Pantry Staples:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • White chocolate chips




Substitutions and Variations

Substitutions:

  • Butter → Unsalted Margarine or Coconut Oil (solid form) – Keeps the flaky texture, but butter gives the best flavor.
  • Milk → Half-and-Half, Heavy Cream, or a Non-Dairy Alternative (like Almond or Oat Milk) – Stick with a creamy option for the best results.
  • White Chocolate Chips → Chopped White Chocolate Bar or Yogurt Chips – Keeps the sweet and creamy element.
  • All-Purpose Flour → Pastry Flour or a 50/50 mix of All-Purpose and Whole Wheat Flour – For a slightly lighter texture.
  • Fresh Raspberries → Frozen Raspberries (Used Straight from the Freezer) – Prevents them from breaking apart too much in the dough.

Variations

  • Dark Chocolate Raspberry Scones – Swap the white chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips or chunks for a richer, slightly less sweet flavor.
  • Lemon Raspberry Scones – Add zest of one lemon to the dough for a bright, citrusy twist that enhances the raspberries.
  • Strawberry-White Chocolate Scones – Replace raspberries with chopped fresh or frozen strawberries for a slightly milder berry flavor.
  • Glazed Raspberry-White Chocolate Scones – Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze or melted white chocolate after baking for extra sweetness.



Kitchen Tips and Notes

  • Keep the Butter Cold – Cold butter is key to achieving a flaky, tender texture. If the butter starts to soften, pop the dough in the fridge for a few minutes before shaping.
  • Handle the Dough Gently – Overmixing or kneading too much can make the scones dense and tough. Mix just until combined for the best results.
  • Flour Your Work Surface & Cutter – The dough is sticky, so lightly flour your hands, rolling pin, and cookie cutter to make shaping easier.
  • Shape Alternatives – Don’t have a heart-shaped cutter? Simply pat the dough into a round disc and cut into wedges for a classic scone look.
  • Bake Until Golden – Keep an eye on the oven; scones should be lightly golden on top and firm to the touch when done.
  • Serve Fresh & Warm – These scones taste best right out of the oven but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly for that fresh-baked warmth.





     EQUIPMENT YOU MAY NEED     




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Raspberry-White Chocolate Dream Scones 


makes 12 scones


3 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
3/4 cup butter, cold
1 pint raspberries
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/2 - 3/4 cup white chocolate chips


Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Add the dry ingredients to a large bowl and combine.

Using a pastry cutter cut cold butter into flour mixture until there are pea-sized pieces of butter throughout.  Add the raspberries and white chocolate chips and mix.

Add the milk and egg to a measuring cup and whisk to combine.  Add to the dry ingredients and mix just until combined and everything is moistened.  Mixing too much will create tough scones and break up the raspberries.   Note:  you will find that the raspberries may break up somewhat as they are very delicate.  Try to mix carefully.

Remove the dough to a generously floured work surface and knead just til it comes together. Pat the dough out to 3/4 - 1 inch thickness and cut with a heart shaped cookie cutter.  

Place the scones on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown on top.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack for several minutes.  Serve warm.






















Sunday, February 12, 2023

Valentine's Day Breakfast Treat: Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins

Luscious tart raspberries combined with mini chocolate chips make the most decadant muffins and scream Valentine's Day!




Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins


One of my all time favorite combinations is raspberry and chocolate.  Wherever I see it combined (chocolate bars, ice cream, chessecake, cupcakes, etc.) I'm there buying it.  So I'm not sure why I haven't made a Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffin until today, but the coming Valentine's Day sparked my inspiration.

These muffins are made from my basic muffin recipe but are soooo luscious and decadent!  I actually got 8 muffins out of this batch due to all the add-in which is a win in my book!  The addition of fresh raspberries and mini chocolate chips is present throughout the muffin and is filled with tartness surrounded by chocolate.  These truely are Heaven in a muffin.  Perfect for Valentine's Day or actually anyday!

Enjoy!






What Ingredients do I need?

  • eggs
  • low-fat milk
  • canola oil
  • all purpose flour
  • sugar or alternative sugar 1:1 ratio (for Keto, low carb)
  • baking soda
  • salt
  • fresh raspberries
  • mini chocolate chips

Substitutions and Variations

  • Use white whole wheat flour in place of the all purpose flour

  • Make mini muffins or small loaves instead
  • Doing a Keto diet or want lower carb? Use an alternative sugar of you choice as a substitute.  I like King Arthur's sugar alternative.



Kitchen Tips and Notes

  • 1st rule of thumb when making muffins is not to "overmix" the batter.  You want it batter to just come together.  Little spots of flour is okay.
  • To get high muffin tops turn your oven up to 400 degrees.
  • Make sure you are using fresh baking powder.  To test put 1/2 teaspoon into 1/4 cup of boiling water.  If it bubbles, you are good.
  • Double the recipe for 12 muffins.
  • Muffins can be frozen individually and kept for 3 months.

  • Fill the muffin tin almost to the top for nice big muffins.



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More Muffins to Make

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins - Lower Carb Version



Vanilla Chai Muffins

Cranberry Orange Muffins - Small Batch

Mexican Hot Chocolate Muffins













Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins


Makes 6-8


1 egg
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup canola oil
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 of a pint of fresh raspberries
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 6 well muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl add the egg, milk, and oil. Mix together using a whisk.

Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Stir just until combined. Do not over mix. Fold in raspberries and chocolate chips, holding a few back to add to the tops.

Using a cookie scoop, add batter to a muffin tin to make 6-8 muffins. Add a few raspberries and chocolate chips to the top of each muffin.  Bake 18-20 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool 5-10 minutes in the tin. Remove from the pan and serve.












Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Valentine's Day Dinner: Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Puff Pastry Hearts

 A hearty soup, made with chunks of chicken and vegetables in a thick delectable sauce, is topped with the cutest puff pastry hearts just in time for some Valentine's Day soul-warming food!



Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Puff Pastry Hearts


This is one dish that the whole family will love.  Perfect for this cold weather, and cute enough to serve to loved ones this Valentine's day.  This Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Puff Pastry Hearts has all the flavors of chicken pot pie without the effort of using a pie crust.  (love that!)

Tender chunks of chicken along with carrots, potatoes, celery, onion, and peas simmer in a thick sauce to create a warmly satisfying soup.  Top it with cute little hearts made from puff pastry and you have one delicious celebratory meal!

Enjoy!




What Ingredients do I need?

  • canola oil
  • russet potato
  • celery 
  • carrots
  • flour
  • low sodium chicken broth
  • boneless skinless breasts, cooked and shredded
  • frozen peas
  • puff pastry

Substitutions and Variations

  • Substitute leeks for the onions
  • Add mushrooms, green beans, or corn to the mix
  • Any fresh herbs such as thyme, bay leaf, or oregano will be a nice addition.
  • Leave off the puff pastry or top with a biscuit
  • Cooked turkey would be great in this soup.
  • Add white wine for a sophisticated flavor
  • Add poultry seasoning for a more developed chicken flavor
  • Add some heavy cream for a richer creamier soup




Kitchen Tips and Notes

  • For the chicken:  boil breasts or use an Instant Pot to cook the chicken and shred
  • Use a rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken
  • Stores often carry pre-cut onions, celery, and carrots for convenience in the produce or frozen food sections.
  • When adding flour you want to allow it to cook a little bit before adding the broth, so the flour taste cooks out.
  • Other ways to thicken the soup is to create a flour, cornstarch, or rice starch slurry (starch/water mixture) added after the broth.

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Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Puff Pastry Hearts


serves 6


2 Tablespoons canola oil
1 large russet potato, peeled and cubed
2 celery rubs, sliced
2 medium carrots, peeled, and cubed
1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 14 1/2 oz. cans low sodium chicken broth
2 large boneless skinless breasts, cooked and shredded
1 cup frozen peas
1 sheet of puff pastry


Set out 1 sheet of puff pastry to thaw.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a Dutch oven heat oil over medium-high heat.  Add the potatoes, onion, celery and carrots.  Cook for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally until onion is soft.

Stir in the flour and stir coating vegetables, and allow to cook for about 30 seconds.  Add salt and pepper and add in the broth.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.  

Meanwhile, using a heart shaped cookie cutter, cut out hear shapes using the puffed pastry.  Place them on a sheet pan.  If your dough is cold proceed to baking them for 10 minutes until golden.  If the pastry is room temperate stick the cut out dough in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes and then proceed to bake for 10 minutes.  The colder the dough the puffier the pastry will be.

Add in the shredded chicken and peas to the Dutch oven, stirring to combine.  Cook 10 minutes to heat through.

Serve in bowls and top with pastries.








Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Product Review: Pumpkin Spice Scottish Shortbread

Lightly pumpkin spiced Scottish Shortbread are light and delicate cookies that will melt in your mouth, and the best part is that you can bake these at home in about 30 minutes!






Pumpkin Spice Scottish Shortbread

Today I wanted to share a product review for a mix that I found that is quite amazing.  This is not sponsored, just something good I would like to share with you.  




I came across a site called Scottish Shortbread a little while ago and found that owner of this site was selling mixes for her secret recipe for Scottish Shortbread.  Passed down for generations, she is now bringing this secret recipe in mix form to us!  Everyone knows, that shortbread is irresistible, but did you know it comes from Scotland?  Well, it sure does.  Now I've made shortbread before on my site but I was so intrigued by the thought of a secret ingredient recipe that hails directly from Scotland that I had to purchase a couple of mixes.  One of which was a limited time mix for Pumpkin Spice Scottish Shortbread, and the other a plain Scottish Shortbread.

I have to tell you that not only was this the easiest shortbread I've ever made (it's made in a food processor), but it certainly is one of the tastiest as well!  This was a great buy!  I highly suggest you try them out.





I had these cookies done in 30 minutes flat!  All you have to do is set out a stick of butter to soften.  Once that is done you just use the butter and the mix in a food processor to make a crumb like textured dough.  Then pull the dough together and form a log, cut and bake!  Simple as that.  This mix was filled with a sweet pumpkin spice blend and I have to say it is addicting!  You could even pat these into a disc and cut out heart shaped cookies for Valentine's Day treats.  That would be soooo cute!





These cookies go perfectly with a steaming cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa.  They are great to serve at a luncheon, bridal shower, brunch, picnic, or a snack or dessert.  They are elegant, yet causal.  Perfect for any occasion and I can't stress enough how easy and quick they are to bake.  I hope you visit her site at Scottish Shortbread and give this product a try.  It's great to support small businesses like these, and we could all use a good cookie in our lives.

Enjoy!









Sunday, December 20, 2020

Classic Sugar Cookie Recipe

Sweet and tender Sugar Cookies are the base for every holiday occasion with good reason.  They can be rolled out and cut into whatever shape you desire and decorated to your heart's content!







Classic Sugar Cookie Recipe

Everyone needs a Classic Sugar Cookie Recipe and this one, from my mom's recipe collection, is one we've made for years.  While the recipe has stayed the same I have adjusted the method over the years to yield the best results.  I dare say this is one of my favorite cookies of all time.

Just in time for Christmas, this cookie is easy to make and creates a tender sweet cookie that holds it's shape.  Perfect for cutting out cute Christmas shapes as I have done here and leaving on a plate for Santa this Christmas eve.



What can you use sugar cookies for?

  • Perfect with dessert served with milk
  • Eat them plain or decorated
  • Use them for ice cream sandwiches
  • Dunk them in milk
  • Perfect for any holiday celebration, Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter, Valentine's Day, Birthdays, Halloween, Graduation
  • Serve them at a Tea Party
  • Serve them along with an ice cream parfait, or pudding


What ingredients do I need?

  • all purpose flour
  • baking powder
  • salt
  • sugar
  • butter
  • egg
  • vanilla



Substitutions and Variations

  • Substitute almond extract for the vanilla
  • mix-in can be added such as sprinkles, flavored chips (chocolate, white chocolate, cinnamon etc), or chopped candy bars
  • Make drop cookies or form cookies by hand
  • Decorate with Royal Icing, sprinkles, sanding sugar, frosting, pretzels, chopped nuts, oreo crumbs, chopped dried fruit


Kitchen Notes and Tips

  • Bake on parchment paper so they don't over brown
  • Remove from the oven just when the edges start to brown
  • Roll out the dough evenly so the cookie all cook at the same rate.
  • Splurge on a good pure vanilla extract
  • Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading.
  • Keep you working surface lightly floured - too much flour will create a dry cookie.
  • Measure flour the "right way" loosen the flour by giving it a good stir with a spoon or whisk. Next, spoon the flour into a measuring cup until heaping (piled beyond the rim of the measuring cup) and then level with the flat side of a knife. 



Enjoy!






Classic Sugar Cookie Recipe


makes: 2 dozen 4" cookies

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

To a large bowl add flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Reduce speed to low and add in the flour mixture a little at a time.  Remove dough to a board and divide in half. Flatten each half into a disk, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Let one disk of dough stand at room temperature for 10 minutes, until soft enough to roll. Roll out dough on a lightly floured work surface to 1/4-inch thick, adding more flour as needed to keep dough from sticking. 

Cut out cookies using desired cutters or templates. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets. Roll out scraps, and repeat. Repeat with remaining disk of dough. Chill cookies until very firm, about 15 minutes,

Bake cookies until edges just start to turn golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool on sheets for 5 minutes then remove to cool on wire racks. 










Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Valentine's Day Dinner Date: Skillet Pizza for Two


Delicious cheesy pizza just for two is so much better than takeout, and it's doable on a weeknight!


Delicious cheesy pizza just for two is so much better than takeout, and it's doable on a weeknight! - Slice of Southern


Since Valentine's Day falls on a Friday this year why not stay in and have a quiet date night?  That's what we are planning to do and I have the perfect dinner in mind:  Pizza! 



We've eaten a lot of Friday night pizzas so it's only fitting that we make Skillet Pizza for Two at home together.  This pizza is really easy and super quick which is perfect for a weeknight.

Delicious cheesy pizza just for two is so much better than takeout, and it's doable on a weeknight! - Slice of Southern


Make this two ways:  

  • No-yeast dough (recipe below) 
  • Store bought pizza dough

Did I mention the secret ingredient in the no-yeast dough is beer? Yes, beer creates a wonderful pizza dough.  So choose your dough, then choose your toppings.

Delicious cheesy pizza just for two is so much better than takeout, and it's doable on a weeknight! - Slice of Southern

Simple classic pizza toppings such as 4 cheese, that's what we used here, allows the crust to really shine.  So why not cozy up this holiday with your loved one and share a homemade pizza, just for two!

Enjoy!





 Skillet Pizza for Two

 Serves 2


Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup beer
1 Tablespoon olive oil + more for the skillet
1/2 - 1 cup pizza sauce
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fontina cheese
1 oz goat cheese, crumbled


Directions: 

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in food processor.  With processor running, slowly add beer and and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.  Process until the dough pulls away from sides and forms a shaggy ball, about 1 minute.

Using floured hands, form dough into a tight ball and cover loosely with plastic wrap; let rest for 10 minutes.

On a lightly floured surface, divide dough in half. Roll one half into a 10 inch round.  The other half may be placed in the freezer for another use.

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium heat, Transfer dough to the skillet and cook, poking holes with a fork on any bubbles that form, until bottom is a deep golden brown and crisp, 3 – 4 minutes.  Flip dough and add the pizza sauce and the cheese mixture. 

Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 7-10 minutes until crust is browned and cheese is golden.  

Remove pizza from the oven and the skillet and place on a cutting board.  Slice into wedges and serve.

Delicious cheesy pizza just for two is so much better than takeout, and it's doable on a weeknight! - Slice of Southern

Delicious cheesy pizza just for two is so much better than takeout, and it's doable on a weeknight! - Slice of Southern




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