February 11, 2000
~ Valentine Desserts
from the Heart
Valentine's Day is a time for
special desserts and sweets - and what could be better than something
with a homemade touch. After all, gifts from the kitchen are gifts
of your time, imagination and thoughtfulness. They magically say,
"I love you."
Your special valentines will sing your praises when you serve one of the desserts featured here. Cherry Amaretto Cheese Heart is a taste-tempting mixture of cream cheese, cherries and almond-flavored liqueur, thickened with unflavored gelatine and set in a scalloped heart pan. This dessert will unmold for a beautiful presentation. The heart-shaped pan is available at stores that specialize in baking supplies. The secret ingredient in this dessert is unflavored gelatine, which is easy and convenient to use for many different sweet or savory recipes. Cherries add ruby-red color and a tangy taste to homemade specialities like this dessert. They're perfect for Valentine's Day and other occasions in February, which is National Cherry Month. Family and friends will love Black Forest Cherry Tart. It is a home-baked, heart-shaped treat that combines a chocolate cookie crust with a chocolate filling and is topped with cherry pie filling. Another homemade dessert, guaranteed to win hearts, is Mochaccino Parfaits, a devilish mixture of coffee and fudge sauce. For homey comfort food, try Cherry Bread Pudding, made with dried tart cherries.
If you have never molded your own delicious homemade candy, Valentine's Day is a great time to prepare a gift from the heart. It's easy; just follow the instructions featured here.
All of these Valentine's Day treats are perfect for coworkers, friends, neighbors, classmates or the most special people of all - your family.
Holiday Highlights
Valentine's Day is one of America's major holidays, according to the Wilton Holiday Report. The report, published by Wilton Enterprises, is a result of an extensive survey of American households asking how they celebrate holidays and special occasions. Here are some of the fun facts about Valentine's Day, as revealed in the report.
More Sweet Ideas
The Cherry Marketing Institute is a promotion organization for cherries. For more cherry recipes, write to CMI: The Cherry People, PO Box 30285, Lansing, MI 48909-7785 or visit the cherry web site at www.cherrymkt.org.
For more than 100 years, Knox Unflavored Gelatine has brought delicious recipe ideas to the home. For more quick and easy gelatine recipes, visit www.knoxgel.com.
Wilton Enterprises is the nation's leading authority on cake decorating and confectionery arts. To locate the closest Wilton Method Cake Decorating class, call 1-800-942-8881 or visit the Wilton web site at www.wilton.com.
Cherry Bread Pudding
Makes 16 servings
1. Melt white chocolate in large heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently.
2. Heat half-and-half or cream and sugar in medium saucepan, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved and cream is hot but not boiling. Stir into white chocolate mixture; let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in eggs, vanilla and cinnamon until well blended.
3. Place half the bread cubes in a lightly greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Sprinkle with half the cherries. Pour half the chocolate mixture over bread. Repeat layers, pressing down gently to be sure bread absorbs chocolate mixture. Cover with foil.
4. Bake at 350­F for 50 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool slightly; serve warm topped with whipped topping or whipped cream and additional cherries if desired.
Black Forest Cherry Tart
Makes 1 (10-inch) tart
1. Mix cookie crumbs and butter or margarine; press firmly on bottom and side of tart pan. Bake at 350­F for 8 minutes; cool completely on wire rack.
2. Sprinkle gelatine over 1 cup half-and-half or cream in small saucepan; let stand 3 to 5 minutes to soften. Stir over medium heat until fully dissolved. Add chocolate; stir until completely melted. Remove from heat; stir in remaining half-and-half or cream. Refrigerate until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
3. Drain cherry pie filling, reserving syrup. Refrigerate cherries for garnish. Spread syrup over bottom of prepared crust. Carefully top with chocolate mixture, spreading evenly. Refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours.
4. Combine whipped topping and brandy, if desired, in small bowl. Remove tart from pan; garnish with reserved cherries and whipped topping.
Mochaccino Parfaits
Makes 4 servings
1. Mix gelatine and sugar in medium saucepan; stir in 1/2 cup espresso or strong coffee. Stir constantly over medium heat until completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup hot fudge sauce until well blended; remove from heat. Cool slightly.
2. Stir in remaining espresso or coffee and milk or half-and-half; stir in ground espresso and chips. Refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes. Fold in whipped topping.
3. Spoon 1 tablespoon reserved hot fudge sauce in each of 4 parfait glasses or dessert dishes. Divide gelatine mixture between glasses. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.
4. Garnish with additional whipped topping and mini chocolate chips if desired.
Cherry Amaretto Cheese Heart
Makes 1 (12-inch) heart
1. Mix gelatine and sugar in small saucepan; stir in 1 1/2 cups milk. Stir over medium heat until gelatine dissolves completely. Remove from heat.
2. Drain 1 can cherry pie filling, reserving syrup. Cover and refrigerate cherries for garnish.
3. Blend remaining cherries, reserved cherry syrup and cream cheese in food processor or blender until smooth. Pour into large bowl, beating in remaining milk, liqueur and gelatine mixture until smooth. Refrigerate until slightly thickened.
4. Fold 2 cups whipped topping into gelatine mixture. Spread into lightly greased pan. Refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours.
5. Run tip of small knife around top edge of gelatine mixture; dip mold in warm water, just up to top edge of mold, for 10 seconds to loosen. Place large serving plate over mold and carefully invert to unmold.
6. Garnish with remaining whipped topping, drained cherries and almonds.
*1 to 2 tablespoons almond extract may be substituted; increase milk to 2 1/4 cups.
Homemade Valentine Candies
Prepare using Wilton candy making products which are available in craft or specialty stores. You will need Premium White, Light Cocoa or Dark Cocoa Candy Melts; Valentine Candy Molds; Candy Colors and Lollipop Sticks.
1. Put Premium Candy Melts in a microwave-safe container. Microwave on MEDIUM (50% power) or DEFROST for 1 minute; stir. Continue to microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth and completely melted. (For stovetop directions, see candy melts package.)
2. If desired, paint designs in mold with a small, clean paintbrush using melted white candy tinted with candy colors. Let stand until firm.
3. Fill molds with melted candy, tapping to remove excess bubbles. For lollipops, position lollipop sticks in molds; rotate sticks to cover thoroughly. Refrigerate until bottom of molds appear frosty or candies are firm.
4. To unmold, invert onto waxed paper; flex gently or tap to loosen candies. Store in a cool, dry place.
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