Valentine's Day Treats: Surprise Cupcakes and Red Heart Rice Krispy Treats | Confessions of a Stay-At-Home Mom

February 13, 2012

Valentine's Day Treats: Surprise Cupcakes and Red Heart Rice Krispy Treats



Last week, I shared two Valentine's Day treats I made for Little Chica's preschool class.  Both treats were pins I found on Pinterest (and there are, like, a ton more to choose from).  The class LOVED the treats, and I am really glad I challenged myself to try something new!

Today I will share with you two treats I will be making for Hubby tomorrow.  Since he rarely peruses this blog, I think the secret is safe. One of the recipes is a repost 3 years ago, Surprise Cupcakes.  I make these cupcakes for Hubs every year.  The other is a not-so-original idea that sprung in my brain that I will conjure up tomorrow. 

First things first:  Surprise Cupcakes.  As I shared in the original post, these cupcakes were made by my mom annually for my dad while they were married.  They are a delectably moist and deeply rich cupcake with a creamy filling.  Anyone who has them will want more! While they may not be traditionally "Valentiney," they will always be a Valentine's treat to me!









(Preheat oven to 375)

Cupcakes:
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 lb melted butter
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder mixed with a little bit of cold water (so it is a creamy consistency)
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup warm water

"Surprise" Filling:
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • dash of salt
  • 12 oz package of chocolate chips

In large bowl, combine the cupcake ingredients in the above order. Insert cupcake liners into cupcake pan. Fill each cupcake 1/3 full with the cupcake batter.

In a smaller bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Add egg and salt. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop one teaspoon of Filling mixture into each cupcake .

Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.


~~~~~



I also had the idea to make red heart-shaped Rice Krispy treats. I know, it's not original. I'm sure it's been done before.  But it occurred to me recently, and I thought I'd give it a try.  Here is how I plan to make them:





  • 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
  • 1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows - OR - 4 cups miniature marshmallows
  • 6 cups Rice Krispy cereal
  • 3-5 drops of red food coloring
  • (OPTIONAL for color and pizazz) Valentine-themed M&M's OR dried cranberries and white chocolate chips

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

2. Add 3-5 drops of red food coloring to the marshmallows. Stir until completely incorporated.

3. Add Rice Krispy Cereal. Stir until well coated. If you are using Craisins and/or white chocolate chips, add them now.

4. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. 

5. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out heart-shaped bars. Best if served the same day.

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I think adding the white chocolate chips and craisins will look SUPER cute, but I also think the red coloring and heart shapes will be just as festive. I opted for the Valentine's colored M&M's (they come in pink, red and white).  If you're devilish, throw in some Red Hots cinnamon candies!  Yowsa!



My plan is to prepare ahead tonight (hopefully in a discreet way that will not tip off Hubby) and quickly crank out these treats tomorrow morning and drop them off at the school where he teaches as a surprise!


Which he will either think is really cool or really lame. 


We shall see.


I hope you a inspired to whip up a few tasty Valentine's Day treats of your own. And I would love to hear what you'll be making for your Special Someone(s) tomorrow - so be sure to share!








2 comments :

  1. Hi Steph!
    We didn't get to make cut-out cookies at Christmas - ran out of time - so we made them over the weekend -- heart-shaped. Just plain butter cookies with red sprinkles. In an effort to be healthy we serve them with 'hearts' (strawberries) and apple slices. And, we're repurposing some leftover red and silver Hershey's kisses (from Xmas) to decorate a tray of those cookies for our neighbor. Shhhh!

    -Beth

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can't wait to see the "real" pictures tomorrow!

    I made rice krispy treats once with sprinkles. The white ones got lost in the cereal, but the red ones looked fine.

    ReplyDelete

Hey! Share a thought or two - I'd love to hear from you! ~ Steph

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