Recipes for Love?

Ah, yes, February--the month of love, the month of all things ooey/gooey, the month of decadent desserts. I thought it would be fun to share a few recipes to make your month a bit sweeter for not only yourself, but maybe for friends and loved ones, too. Below, find some possibilities.  Happy Cooking!

Light Valentine's Day Dessert Shooters

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

2 tablespoons raspberry or strawberry jam
1 slice vanilla angel food cake, crumbled
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1/4 cup whipped cream

4 mint leaves, for garnish (optional)

In four (2-ounce) shooter glasses, layer jam, cake, raspberries and whipped cream. Garnish with mint leaves, if desired, and serve immediately.


Cookies and Cream Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

Courtesy Creme d la Crumb

Ingredients
16 Oreo cookies
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar

Cheesecake Layer
1 egg
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
filling from Oreos
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 small box strawberry creme Jello pudding mix (dry)

8 Oreos, halved or broken into pieces

Preheat oven to 350. Line an 8x8 inch pan with nonstick foil.

Crust
Pull apart 16 Oreo cookies and scrape off the creme center, put the creme in a bowl and set aside. Place all of the leftover cookies (just the black cookie part) In a blender or food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form. Add sugar and pulse again to mix. Add melted butter and continue to pulse until mixtures comes together. Press crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake 10 minutes.
Filling

In a large bowl whisk egg until light and foamy. Add softened cream cheese, reserved Oreo filling, sugar, vanilla, and strawberry pudding and blend with a hand mixer until mixture is smooth. Spread mixture over Oreo crust. Gently press broken Oreo cookies into the cheesecake layer. Bake 15-20 minutes until cheesecake layer is set. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars. Store in airtight container in fridge.

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

12 large strawberries or 20 medium
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese at room temperature

Courtesy of Butter Your Biscuit

1/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

chocolate shavings

1. Wash and dry strawberries.
2. Cut the green off the top and a small amount on the bottom so the strawberry stands on its own.
3. Using a melon baller or small measuring spoon hollow out the strawberry. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, using a electric mixer add softened cream cheese and mix until combined. 
5. Add in heavy cream and mix until combined. Add in powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until combined.
6. Put filling into a pastry bag or baggie. Squeeze filling into strawberries.

Sprinkle shaved chocolate on top.