Sweets for Your Sweets
A series of sweet treat recipes for your loved ones.
Happy almost Valentine’s Day! This isn’t a holiday my husband and I tend to put a lot of effort into. There can be so much pressure on a holiday like this to do something big and showy that you lose sight of the opportunity it provides—to show the people you love what they mean to you. Of course, I believe one of the best ways to do that is through food. Spending a moment preparing a dish together, enjoying a meal around a table, or gifting a treat you put your love, time, and energy into can be just as meaningful as any present. So, I’ve put together some of my favorite celebratory recipes for you, decadent ways to show someone how much you care and share a beautiful moment over a delicious dessert.
Sometimes our family love of food shows itself in as simple a way as obsessing over a new type of candy (such as these Thai mango gummies or Cavendish & Henry fruit drops that are my current faves). Other times, it’s in a more elaborate fruit-filled pavlova or my son’s favorite macarons. I hope one of these recipes can bring about a connecting moment for you and your loved ones as well.
When I think of an indulgent dessert, one of my first thoughts is a chocolate lava cake. A molten center and crisp outside are like the best parts of a brownie x1000—like eating brownie batter with no cares in the world. I love to keep my chocolate semi-sweet and then dust with a little powdered sugar, so the sweetness level isn’t too overwhelming. Pair with fresh berries for the ultimate chocolate dessert experience.
Want something a little more traditional? A classic that will never let you down? These brownies are the answer. All the fudginess you can ask for in a neat, crackly-topped package, an alternative that will never let you go back to boxed brownies. I like to add a layer of white chocolate among the semi-sweet chocolate for something extra special, but feel free to adjust to your preferences.
Your loved one not a chocolate fan? It’s okay, neither is mine, I won’t judge. This show-stopping Pavlova is a great way to make a big impact with a deceptively easy recipe! I know meringue can be intimidating, but by following my recipe I’m confident you’ll have any easy time with an incredible result. Then, you can fill the pavlova layers with any of your favorite icings, creams, and fruits! I like to keep it simple with a whipped cream-like frosting, so I’ve provided instructions for that as well.
Mastered pavlova already? The next step in your meringue journey is these gorgeous macarons. No longer do you have to break the bank to buy just a few of these iconic French treats. The whole world of macarons is at your fingertips with my tried and true recipe, and you can adjust the colors and flavors with whatever you choose! I recommend Frontier Co-ops Non-Alcoholic Flavorings—I find they have the best balance of big flavor without tasting fake. Here are the ones for lemon, raspberry, and strawberry, though there are plenty others as well!
My son loves to help me put these together! If you’re too nervous to let little ones help with the batter, letting them assist in coloring and flavoring the fillings, then building the final macarons is a wonderful way to let everyone be involved.
You can never go wrong with a cookie. These red velvet white chocolate chip cookies are an absolute treat. I like to make them giant size, with an ultra soft middle and just-crisped edges. You can fill them with whatever type of chocolate chips and chunks you prefer, and even add an Oreo on top for a textural element. Eat them warm or let cool fully and stack them and wrap them as a present—they will stay soft and delicious for days! Be sure to add a little note on the side to make it extra special.
Want to give the gift of 85+ more desserts and dishes? Remember, a Turkuaz Kitchen cookbook is sure to impress and provide so many more beautiful kitchen moments!
😍 😍😍
I really love all those sweet things.
It's Valentine's Day but I could make them any day. Thank you so much for your recipes!