What Does Valentine's Day Mean To You?
I remember in my younger days, Valentine's Day wasn't always all that happy.
Sometimes was, sometimes wasn't...
There was worry that it wouldn't live up to expectations.
If it did, guilt about all the extra cost and expense, I mean more than another day!
You know - when the cost of flowers is multiplied by 10, huge cards are everywhere, it 's all so commercial!
Strawberries
What About Valentine's Day For Your Kids?
I reckon that Valentine's Day should be about love. That's it!
Not just romantic love!
What about how you love your kids?
What about how they love you?
Maybe friends, siblings, extended family?
When is all that love celebrated?
So obviously Valentine's Strawberry Red Velvet Pancakes are the answer!!!
Here's the story, and how to make this yummy creation...
More...
Kids Valentines Dessert
What I Did To Show My Kids I Love Them
The thing is, of course I love them every day!
Of course, they love me every day!
But I just want them to feel Valentine's Day is for them too.
It's a day to especially notice those they love, and appreciate them.
So I decided to make them a special Valentine's Dessert.
Kids should know it's not always what you buy, but what you do - shouldn't they?
Red Velvet Strawberry Heart Pancakes
Yes - it's a mouthful to say, never mind eat.
It turned out to be bigger than I had imagined - so....
It's not a dessert!
It's Valentine's Day Dinner in our house!
And of course the kids loved that - who wouldn't love dessert for dinner?
But of course being time challenged - it had to be easy to pull together at the last minute.
So here's what I did...
Kids Valentine Dessert
How I Made Valentines Strawberry Red Velvet Pancakes...
I got a tub of strawberry ice cream, which was very pale, so softened it, and deepened the pink color with a touch of red gel color. Then I put it in the freezer to thicken up again.
Also ahead of time, I used a box of red velvet cake mix to make a thick pancake batter, and made the pancakes.
And I sliced strawberries - have you noticed the natural heart shape before?
And here's the ingredients, and method...
Heart Treats
Ingredients
Tub of strawberry ice cream
Gel food color if required
Strawberries
Strawberry strap candy
Heart shaped candy
Mint leaves
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
(This is just what I used - as you can see, it's easy to make this suit you - personalize!)
Red Velvet Pancakes
Method
Ahead of time -
If required soften ice cream, and deepen pink color with gel color
Mix 2 eggs with the red velvet cake mix, add 1 1/2 cups milk, and stir to make thick pancake consistency
Cook pancakes on lower heat than usual, as they are thicker, and you want to retain the red color in the pan
Slice strawberries vertically
Pick mint leaves from the stalks
Heart Mould
Make Ice Cream Heart -
Use a heart shaped cookie cutter the size you choose
Line the edges of the cookie cutter with the strawberry straps
Fill the inside with strawberry ice cream, and press right into edges
Place in freezer until serving time, when dessert will all be built together
Kids Valentines Dessert
At Serving Time -
Reheat pancakes in microwave
Place frozen ice cream heart on top
Fill the top of ice cream heart with sliced strawberries
Place the top strawberries so the natural heart shape is visible
Sprinkle the candy hearts around the pancakes
Place mint leaves on top of the strawberries
Shake chocolate dust, or cinnamon around plate
Serve with maple syrup if desired
Valentine's Heart Dessert
Watch Your Kids Faces!!!
I saw delight when they first saw what dinner was.
Then recognition that it was for Valentine's Day.
Next they looked at me with such happy faces...