Valentine Snack- Submitted by Sherry

Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut heart shapes from slices of bread. Spread the heart shaped bread with your children's favorite sandwich filling. Serve the heart shaped sandwiches with strawberry milkshakes. Strawberry Milkshake- Submitted by Sherry Whirl together 4 cups of milk and 10 oz. frozen strawberries in a blender. Add a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream, if you wish. Blend until smooth and creamy. Makes 8 small servings.

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Cupid's Arrow- Submitted by Becce

1 quart cold milk, 2 cups frozen strawberries, thawed and crushed, 1 cup orange juice, 3 oz. lemon juice

Blend at medium speed for 1 minute. Pour into pitcher, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

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Valentine's Day Stuffed French Toast- Submitted by Becce

1 Loaf large diameter french bread, 1/2 lb Breakfast sausage, 1/2 Package bacon, 1/2 c Milk, 4 lg Eggs, 1/4 c Sugar, 1 ts Cinnamon, 1 1/2 ts Vanilla, 1/2 lb Boiled ham (thinly sliced), 1 Package American Cheese

In a large skillet fry the bacon and breakfast sausage, together but separately, until done. While the meat is cooking, slice the french bread into eight slices approximately 1 1/2" to 2" thick; then slice each slice 3/4 of the way through again.

Mix the milk, eggs, sugar cinnamon and vanilla togeather into a batter in a deep bowl; set aside. Take up the bacon, sausage and ham and divide each into eight equal parts. Dip each piece of bread into the batter and submerge it so that both sides and edges are coated.

Open each piece and put in one portion of the meat, bacon, and ham along with one slice of cheese and close the bread again. Fry the stuffed batter-coated bread slices in a lightly oiled skillet until golden brown on the outside and the cheese is melted on the inside.

Serve two slices to a plate with your favorite garnishes and condiments. (ie. home fries, maple syrup, confectioner's sugar etc...)

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A Spoon Full of Kisses- Submitted by Becce

Put Hershey Kisses in plastic spoons, wrapped them in plastic and use red ribbon to secure them to door knobs of family and friends. Add the following poem:

You may not get boxes of candy
from movie stars, that's true.
But here's a spoonful of kisses
from a caring friend for you!
Happy Valentine's Day.

*Can change friend to whatever title you want

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Valentine's Day Pecan Pudding- Submitted by Becce

1 tb Butter Or Margarine, 1 ea Large Beaten Egg White, 1/3 c Dark Corn Syrup, 1/4 ts Vanilla, 2 tb Unbleached Flour, 1/8 ts Baking Powder, 1/4 c Chopped Pecans, 1 x Powdered Sugar

In a 15-ounce custard cup microwave the butter or margarine, uncovered, on 100% power for 30 to 40 seconds or just till melted. Swirl the butter in the custard cup, coating sides and bottom. Pour the excess butter from the custard cup into the beaten egg. Stir in the dark corn syrup and vanilla. Stir together flour and baking powder. Stir flour mixture into egg mixture. Gently fold in chopped pecans.

Pour the pecan mixture into the buttered 15-ounce custard cup. Microwave, uncovered, on 50% power for 3 to 4 minutes or till the pecan mixture is just set, rotating the custard cup a half-turn every minute. Sift a little powdered sugar atop. Serve warm with light cream, if desired.

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Frozen Cinnamon Nut Yogurt- Submitted by Becce

4 c Vanilla yogurt, 1 c Sugar, 1/2 ts Cinnamon, Salt, 1 c Whipping cream, 1 ts Vanilla, 1 c Walnut pieces

Thoroughly combine yogurt, sugar, cinnamon and salt in mixing bowl. Stir in whipping cream and vanilla. Add nuts. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. Freeze according to manufacturer's directions.

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Brownie Hearts for Valentine's Day- Submitted by Sherry

Here's a quick, yummy valentine idea. (For best results, follow directions for pan size and timing. If your cutter sticks, lightly coat it with nonstick spray.) Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat two 9X3 in. jelly roll pans with nonstick spray. Mix 1 box low-fat brownie mix and 3/4 cup water until no dry lumps remain. Divide batter equally between pans and spread evenly. Bake 10 min. or until there's no shine to the batter and the edges slightly pull away from the sides of the pan.

Cool briefly, no more than 5 minutes. Cut with cookie cutters. Remove cookies from tray when they lift easily with a spatula. Decorate with tubes of frosting or decorating gel. (Use left-over brownie pieces as dessert or sundae toppings. Serving count depends on size of cutter.

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Valentine Tea Party- Submitted by Lisa in VA

A Teddy Bear Tea is the perfect way to have Valentine's Day celebrated by your little guy or girl. Each child brings in there special "lovie" and they present it with a Valentine. "Tea" and snacks are part of the day. Take a picture and mount in on construction paper with the child's reasoning as to why they love their teddy (or other stuffed animal) so much. Remember to include the name of their teddy and the date. A perfect day, keepsake, and valentine for the tot

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Cupid's Cyberspace Cupcakes- Submitted by Becce

1 box of Duncan Hines Strawberry Cake Mix Ingredients to make and ice the cupcakes (read the box), use the following to decorate..and play! P.S. The fun is in decorating!!!!!

Frozen Strawberries, Those little sprinklie things, chocolate or mosaic colors:) Red Hots candy, Redi Whip in the can, Conversation hearts (the one with the messages on them from 2nd grade), Hersheys Kisses. Start with iced cupcakes. Pink or white icing looks good. Use a little of each ingredient to make some of your own designs. Eat some candy, and whipped cream while you are decorating them. It makes the experience more fun. Love, Cupid!

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Cupid's Exotic Love Tea- Submitted by Becce

1 cups water, 1/4 cup honey, 1 cup apple juice, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 6 Celestial Seasonings Cranberry Cove Tea Bags

Bring water and juice to a boil. Stir in honey and cinnamon. Add the tea bags. Remove from heat. Let stand for one hour. Add 6 cups cold water Pour into glasses with ice. Sit back, sip and fall in love. Can be stored in the refrigerator for three days .

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Cupid's Red Velvet Ice- Submitted by Becce

2 pounds fresh cranberries, 4 cups unsweetened apple juice (seperate into 2 cups each), 3/4 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon grated orange rind

Wash cranberries, combine with only 2 cups apple juice and sugar in a large pot. Cook on high/medium high until cranberries pop..About 8 minutes. Put through a food mill. Add remaining ingredients and chill. Put this mixture into an electric freezer o r a hand cranked one. Read the directions on your freezer for the time or crank till it freezes. Serve frozen mixture in champagne glasses. It will work :)

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Valentine's Day Snack- Submitted by Sherry

Make rice crispy squares following the directions on the box. Add red food coloring. Cut square pieces of foil and tape valentine messages to the corner of each piece of foil. Push the rice crispy mix into a greased funnel. Any size will do. Wrap each kiss in the foil with the message hanging out. You have yourself Valentine's Day Kisses. It was so cute. You have to try it.

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Thumbprint Heart Sugar Cookies- Submitted by Sherry

Roll of refrigerated sugar cookie dough, an egg yolk, red food coloring and decorations

Place the cookie dough in the freezer for 30 minutes. Beat the egg yolk in a small bowl and add 10 drops of red food coloring. Cut the chilled dough into ¼ inch slices. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Dip thumb or index finger in egg mixture to generously coat with color. Press finger onto each slice of dough at an angle twice to make a heart shape. Sprinkle with red sugar, or other decorations.

Bake for 7-11 minutes at 350 degrees. When cookies are completely cool, you can use red frosting or gel to write names or messages on your cookies around the heart!

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Recipes From Our Hearts Cookbook- Submitted by Sherry

Have each child dictate his/her favorite recipe and copy in the exact words used. Include ingredients used, steps to make it, temperature to cook it on, how long, etc. Then have each child illustrate how to make the food and what the finished product looks like. Reproduce enough for each child in the class and make a cover with "Recipes From Our Hearts" written around a heart. Have each child sign his/her name on the heart and also on the recipe. This make a great Valentine or Mother's Day gift.

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Cupcake Stencils- Submitted by Barb

Have children help bake cupcakes in pink paper liners and prepare white frosting. Show the class how to make pink frosting by adding red food coloring. Make paper stencils in heart and dove shapes. Let each child place a stencil on his frosted cupcake and sprinkle with red sugar crystals. Carefully remove the stencil to reveal a valentine.

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Chocolate Cookie Heart- Submitted by Becce

1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened, 2/3 cup sugar, 1 large egg, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, 1/2 cup coarsely chopped macadamia nuts, 1/4 cup red candied cherries, halved or red candy-coated baking pieces, Red piping gel or frosting

Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an aluminum-foil covered baking sheet. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in a small bowl; set aside. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Gradually add flour mixture, beating well. Stir in baking chips, nuts and cherries. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and pat into an 8- inch heart. Bake chocolate heart 15 minutes or until center appears set. Cool 10 minutes on baking sheet; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Peel foil from heart; transfer heart to serving platter or cardboard cake round and pipe a Valentine message on cookie using piping gel or frosting.

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Valentine's Day Punch- Submitted by Julia

1/2 gallon Raspberry Sherbet, 1/4 cup pineapple juice, 2 liter soda pop (such as Sprite or 7up)

Place half melted sherbet in a bowl. Add pineapple juice. Whisk until the sherbet and juice forms a smooth texture. Slowly add carbonated soda pop(such as Sprite or 7up).

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Valentine Fruit Pie- Submitted by Julia

Graham cracker crust, 1 can strawberry pie filling, cool whip, small conversation hearts

Empty 1 can of strawberry pie filling into the graham cracker crust. Top with Cool Whip and small conversation hearts. Refrigerate for about 2 hours.

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Valentine Roll-Ups- Submitted by Julia

cream cheese, strawberry jam, and a tortilla shell

Have the children spread cream cheese and strawberry jam onto a tortilla. The let the children roll the tortilla up like a log.

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Valentine's Day Banana Velvet Doughnuts- Submitted by Becce

2 1/2 c Flour, 2 1/2 ts Baking powder, 1/2 ts Baking soda, 1/4 ts Nutmeg, 1/2 ts Salt, 2 Egg, 1/2 c Honey, 1 Banana, 2 tb Butter or margarine, 1/2 c Sour cream, 1/2 ts Vanilla, Fat for deep frying

Sift together dry ingredients. Beat eggs until light. Add honey gradually and continue beating until well mixed. Beat in mashed banana, butter, sour cream and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture. (Dough should be soft.) Chill 2 hours or longer. Roll out on floured board about 1/4-inch thick. Cut with doughnut cutter. In deep fat heated to 370 F, fry a few at a time. (Fry the holes as well as the doughnuts.). Turn doughnuts when they rise to the surface and are brown on the underside. Fry until brown on both sides. Remove from fat and drain thoroughly.

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Valentines Day Sodas- Submitted by Becce

Ginger ale, Strawberry ice cream, Whipped cream, 1 ts Strawberry preserves

Pour gingerale over strawberry ice cream in tall glass. Top glass with whipped cream and a dollop of strawberry preserves.

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Valentine's Day Hidden Hugs Cookies- Submitted by Becce

1 pk Hershey's Hugs Chocolates (8 oz), 1 c Butter or margarine, softened, 1/2 c Powdered sugar, 1 ts Vanilla extract, 2 1/4 c All-purpose flour, 1/4 ts Salt, 3/4 c Toasted almonds, finely ground (see note), Additional powdered sugar

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Remove wrappers from chocolate pieces. In large mixer bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar amd vanilla until well blended. Stir together flour and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Add nuts; blend well. Mold scant tablespoon dough around each chocolate piece, covering completely. Shape into balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set. Cool slightly; roll in powdered sugar. Cool completely. Before serving, roll again in powdered sugar, if desired.

Note: To toast almonds, heat oven to 350'F. Spread almonds in thin layer in shallow baking pan. Bake 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown; cool.

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Easy Bubbly Valentine's Day Punch- Submitted by Becce

2 qt White Grape Juice, 2 l Diet 7-Up, 1 l Bottle Club Soda

Mix together the grape juice, 7-up, and club soda. Chill well before serving. Tastes just like champagne!!

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Valentine Shaped Cupcakes- Submitted by Barb

To make Valentine shaped cupcakes, place a MARBLE in between the paper liner and the muffin cups. This makes the V-shape.

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Valentine Cone- Submitted by Barb

Ice Cream Cone, Pink Frosting, Small Candings (see below)

Cover an ice cream cone with pink frosting. Let the kids decorate with candy hearts, red hots, sprinkles, etc.

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Edible Valentines- Submitted by Barb

Graham Crackers or Construction Paper, Glue or Frosting, Candy Conversation Hearts

Cut out hearts from construction paper (or use graham crackers for the base of the card), and glue the candy conversatin hearts on them.

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Giant Kisses- Submitted by Becce

Take a medium size, funnel that is rounded in stead of straight on the sides. ( The rounded ones look more like a kiss.) Spray the funnel and down in the tip of the funnel lightly. Place a small piece of crumpled foil in the tip to block it. Melt chocolate, melting chocolate and stirred in rice crispies to make it go further. Fill the funnel with the chocolate, first putting in a little and working it into the tip with a knife. Then carefully spoon it in, making sure there are no air bubbles in the sides. Fill it up level with the top and then place the tip of the funnel in a coffee mug to hold it and place it in the freezer. When solid, gently tap it on the counter to release. Trim the top with a knife. Next wrap it in regular foil smoothing it and conforming it to the shape, leaving extra at the top. On the computor print out To:.... Love ... in a small font, about a 12 or 14. Then cut the strip and placed it sticking out of the top of the foil when you twist the top shut and it will look like a giant hersheys kiss.

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No- Bake Crispy Chocolate Heart Cookies- Submitted by Becce

1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces, 1/4 cup light-colored corn syrup, 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, 3 cups crisp rice cereal, Frosting (optional), 1/2 teaspoon butter or margarine

Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper. Grease the waxed paper with the 1/2 teaspoon butter or margarine. Set aside. Put the chocolate pieces, corn syrup, and the 2 tablespoons butter or margarine in a heavy medium saucepan. Put pan on burner. Turn burner to low heat. Cook until chocolate and butter are melted, stirring all the time with a wooden spoon. Turn off burner. Remove pan from burner. Or, put chocolate pieces, corn syrup, and butter or margarine in a 1-1/2-quart microwave-safe casserole. Microwave, uncovered, on 100% power (high) for 1 minute or until chocolate and butter are melted, stirring once.

Add the rice cereal to the melted chocolate mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until the cereal is evenly coated with chocolate. Turn the chocolate-coated cereal out onto the prepared cookie sheet. Pat it into a 12x6-inch rectangle. Chill about 20 minutes or until slightly firm. Cut cereal mixture into heart shapes with a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Decorate with frosting, if you like. Chill until firm; wrap each heart in plastic wrap. Chill until serving time. Makes 8 or 9 three-inch hearts.

Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare as directed and chill up to 2 days.

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Valentine Cookie Pops- Submitted by Becce

20 vanilla wafer cookies, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1 6-ounce bag white chocolate chips, 1 6-ounce bag semi sweet chocolate chips, colored candy sprinkles, red & white, pink and red gummy or sour patch bears, Cake decorating writer gel in green, pink, red, black, and white, 1 tube each of white, red, and pink cake decorator frosting with flower tip, red food coloring, ice cream or lollipop sticks, wax paper or paper plates

Spread peanut butter onto the flat side of the cookies. Place an ice cream stick into the peanut butter on half the cookies. Top with another cookie so the stick is sandwiched between the two cookies. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave, one minute, then in 20 second increments, stirring until smooth. Before melting, seperate the white chips into two bowls. After melting, add a few drops of red food coloring to one of the bowls of white chips to make pink chocolate. Dip cookie pops in the melted chips, covering completely. Roll pops in red and white sprinkles and lay or stand on waxed paper or paper plates. Place in refrigerator to chill.

Fun Variations

Drizzles

Alternating between white chocolate, pink chocolate and semi sweet, drizzle melted chocolate over the cookie to create a cool look!

Writing

Write fun Valentine shorts on plain pops such as "Love" or "Hug". Add a gummy bear.

Hearts

Use the decorator gel to draw on hearts and hearts with arrows.

Flowers

Using the flower tip, pipe on pink flowers with cake decorator icing. Use green gel to add stems and leaves to the bouquet.

Note: Another variation is to use vanilla or chocolate frosting instead of peanut butter for the filling.

These can also be made without sticks. Use one stick to be able to dip the cookies in chocolate and roll in sprinkles, then remove the stick and put on wax paper or paper plates, then chill.

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Valentine's Day Craving- Submitted by Becce

2 Scoops vanilla ice cream, 4 oz Milk, 1 pt Fresh raspberries, Hershey Chocolate syrup

Blend ice cream, milk, and raspberries. Pour into well chilled, tall glass. Swirl chocolate syrup on top and serve.

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Hearts-filled-with-Love Cookies- Submitted by Becce

Fill these favorites with raspberry or strawberry jelly.

Sift together: 2 1/2 c flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cream together:1 cup shortening, 1 cup sugar

Stir in: 1 well beaten egg, 2 tablespoons Pet Milk, 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Chill overnight before using. Roll-out dough and cut with a heart cookie cutter. Each cookie needs a top and bottom. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.When cool, assemble cookies. Place a teaspoon of jelly on the bottom of a cookie, then cover with another cookie. (The tops of the cookies should be facing outward on both top and bottom.) Sprinkle with 4X Confectioner's Sugar.

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Chocolate Surprise- Submitted by Becce

Blend together: 1 1/2 cup plain flour, 1 1/2 stick margarine, 1 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Press into 9" x 13" pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool

Cream together: 1 cup powdered sugar, 1, 8 oz package of cream cheese

Fold in 9 oz. defrosted Cool Whip. Spread onto the cooled pastry layer.

Mix well: 1 large box of chocolate INSTANT pudding, Add 3 1/2 cups milk

Spread on top of the second layer. Spread a 9 oz. container of defrosted Cool Whip on top of the third layer and refrigerate.

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Valentine Food For Thought- Submitted by Becce

Cabbage always has a heart; Green beans string along.
You're such a cute tomato, Will you peas to me belong?
You've been the apple of my eye, You know how much I care;
So lettuce get together, We'd make a perfect pear.

Now, something's sure to turnip to prove you can't be beet;
So, if you carrot all for me let's let our tulips meet.
Don't squash my hopes and dreams now, Bee my honey, dear;
Or tears will fill potato's eyes, While sweet corn lends an ear.

I'll cauliflower shop and say, Your dreams are parsley mine.
I'll work and share my celery, So be my valentine.

By: Jeanne Losey

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Raspberry Truffle Cream Pie- Submitted by Becce

1-2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) HERSHEY'S Raspberry Chips, 1/3 cup milk, 2 cups miniature marshmallows or 20 large marshmallows, 3-1/2 cups (8 oz.) frozen non-dairy whipped topping- thawed, 1 packaged crumb crust (6 oz.), Additional whipped topping (optional)

Place raspberry chips and milk in large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 1 minute or until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Add marshmallows; microwave at HIGH 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at HIGH an additional 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, just until marshmallows are melted when stirred. Spread 1/2 cup chip mixture over bottom of crust.

Cool remaining mixture to room temperature; fold in whipped topping. Spoon into crust. Cover; refrigerate 4 to 6 hours or until firm. Garnish with whipped topping, if desired. Cover; refrigerate leftover pie.

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Hershey's Mini Kiss Peanut Blossoms- Submitted by Becce

1/2 cup shortening, 3/4 cup REESE'S Creamy Peanut Butter, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, Additional granulated sugar, 1-3/4 cups (10-oz. pkg.) HERSHEY'S MINI KISSES Chocolate

Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, beat shortening and peanut butter until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to peanut butter mixture, beating until well blended. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately place 3 MINI KISSES Chocolate on top of each cookie, pressing down slightly. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

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Chocolate Raspberry Brownies- Submitted by Becce

1-2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) HERSHEY'S Raspberry Chips, 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 8-inch square baking pan. In medium saucepan, combine raspberry chips and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until melted. Remove from heat. Add eggs and vanilla; stir until well blended. Add flour, sugar and baking powder; stir until well blended. Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars. About 20 brownies.

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Valentine Delight Salad- Submitted by Becce

--FIRST LAYER:--

1 lg. pkg. strawberry gelatin, 2 (10 oz.) pkgs. frozen sliced, strawberries (defrost, drain, save juice), 2 bananas- diced, 1/2 c. pecans- chopped, 1 c. sm. marshmallows

--SECOND LAYER:

1/2 c. sugar, 1/2 c. strawberry juice, 1 egg, beaten, 2 tbsp. flour, 2 tbsp. water, 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, 1 lg. pkg. whipped topping

Prepare gelatin according to package directions. Chill until thick. Mix strawberries, bananas, pecans and marshmallows. Add to gelatin, chill until firm. Mix well all together. Cook sugar, strawberry juice, egg, flour and water until thick on low heat. Add cream cheese while warm, cool and pour over first layer. Return to refrigerator when cold. Prepare whipped topping and spread over second layer and top with pecans. Serves 20.

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Valentine Bread- Submitted by Becce

10 oz. frozen sweetened strawberries, 2 eggs, 3/4 c. oil, 1 1/2 c. flour, 1 c. sugar, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 3/4 c. chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Thaw strawberries but don't drain. Puree berries with eggs and oil. Sift dry ingredients into bowl. Stir in strawberry mixture and nuts. Blend well. Pour into lightly greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. Bake for 70 minutes or until tester comes out clear. Let cool in pan.

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Brownie Hearts- Submitted by Christi

1 stick butter, 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup flour, 1 1/2 cups "M&M's"(r) Milk Chocolate Candies for the Holidays, Heart-shaped cookie cutters

Spray cooking spray into an 8-inch x 8-inch pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place butter and chocolate into saucepan over low heat and melt. Stir to make smooth, set aside to cool, about 5 minutes. Add sugar and vanilla, stir to incorporate. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring to combine after each addition. Add the flour, stirring to mix thoroughly. Add 1 cup of "M&M's"(r) Milk Chocolate Candies for the Holidays and stir to combine.

Place into prepared pan, making sure the mixture is level and smoothed. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup "M&M's"(r) Milk Chocolate Candies for the Holidays onto the top. Place into the oven and bake 20-25 minutes or until it tests done. Let cool completely and cut with heart-shaped cookie cutter.

Tip: Use leftover brownie pieces to top your favorite ice cream or mix them into a milkshake.

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Chocolate Cups- Submitted by Christi

1 bag DOVE(r) Chocolate Hearts (15 ounce), 15 full-size aluminum cupcake liners, paper liner removed, "M&M's"(r) Milk Chocolate Candies for the Holidays or STARBURST(r), Brand Friendship HeartsTM,

Place the DOVE(r) Chocolate Hearts in a metal bowl. Place the bowl over simmering water for 2 minutes or until half the chocolate melts. Remove the bowl from the heat and stir the chocolate until it melts completely. Liberally brush the inside of the aluminum cupcake liners with chocolate. Put the cups on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Replace the bowl of chocolate over the pot of simmering for about 1 minute. Again liberally brush the cups with the chocolate and again refrigerate for 20 minutes. Gently pull the aluminum liner away from the chocolate and place the chocolate cups in the refrigerator until ready to use. When ready to use, fill the chocolate cups with "M&M's"(r) Milk Chocolate Candies for the Holidays or STARBURST(r) Brand Friendship HeartsTM.

Make 15 cups.

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Heart Cake- Submitted by Christi

To brighten up your child's "heart": Bake their favorite cake in a heart-shaped pan. Frost the cake and then decorate it with "M&M's"(r) Chocolate Candies.

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Valentine Bear Pancakes- Submitted by Sherry

First read the book, "The Valentine Bears" by Eve Bunting. Then make these teddy bear pancakes.

Pancake batter, metal teddy bear shaped cookie cutter, hot plate, small knife, sugar, cinnamon, and strawberry jam.

Mix up the pancake batter as you usually would, then place the cookie cutter on the pan and fill up with batter. Let it cook until the batter is firm enough to remove the cutter. Then flip and cook until done. Sprinkle lightly with sugar and cinnamon. Then with a small paring knife, cut a small heart from each bear cake. Then spoon in strawberry jam into the heart. Enjoy!!

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Love Letters Poptarts- Submitted by Sherry

Buy a box of plain unfrosted pop-tarts, then let the children ice the pop-tarts with vanilla icing. Then take a large conversation heart and place it in the top corner for a stamp. Let the children use cooking sticks or tubes of fine icing to write messages!!

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