Homemade Valentine’s Gift Ideas from the Hearth
February 4, 2008 by Marye Audet
Filed under Uncategorized
I love the word hearth, it conjures up romantic images of cottages, crackling fires and romantic heroes.
And the cake? That picture is from 1963…and I will share the story in a day or so…
Anyway, Valentines Day has become a holiday that is all about how much you spend, just like Christmas and Easter. The candy companies have convinced us that without a $20 box of chocolate our day is incomplete and we are unloved.
Is there anything more loving that homemade? I don’t think so. Here are some ideas for you, some are mine, some are from around the web. Take back the day. Simplicity is good for our budgets, our environment, but most importantly, simplicity is good for the soul.
Oh, and remember, if you are not reading this at http://bakingdelights.com, then you are reading stolen material. 
1. A Chocolate Portrait. Seriously this site shows you how to do a portrait from a black and white picture in chocolate! What a great gift!
2. Decorated Cookies. I love this sugar cookie recipe. I will be making some Valentines Day cookies from it closer to Valentine’s Day. Beautiful with pink sprinkles, or glazed, or gilded with tons of royal icing flowers.
3. Chocolate & Earl Grey Terrine. This is rich, chocolaty and luscious. And sensual. Perfect with a sparkling dessert wine.
4. Melt some good chocolate and dip pretzels in it. Yum.
6. Apricot and white chocolate scones, cut in a heart shape? Or substitute dried cherries and dark chocolate!
7. Make your own truffles. It really is easy, and believe it or not you can make them as well as Godiva. I promise.
Basic Chocolate Truffles
8 oz good quality chocolate (50% cocoa, preferably higher) broken into pieces
1/2 c heavy cream
1 Tsp corn syrup
1 Tbs unsalted butter
Bring cream, butter, and corn syrup just to a simmer. Remove from heat, and add in chocolate. Do not stir but allow chocolate to soften for 3-5 minutes. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth. refrigerate until set. Using a melon baller, dip out the cold ganache and roll into balls. Dip into melted chocolate or roll in cocoa.
8. You can also make tea infused truffles, Earl Grey Truffles
9. Three Cheese Fondue with Champagne. I would be impressed.
10. Chocolate Covered Cherries. Yum
Not only that…but over the next week or so I will be giving my recipe for a Romantic Valentines Day dinner, as well as some yummy chocolate covered espresso beans over on Kettle and Cup… I LOVE Valentines Day..so check both blogs …
Today is the first day of voting for the chocolate contest. You can vote for me AND register to win a matching trip yourself…just click on the link. 
I’ve decorated the house for Valentines day. I’m going to have to see which of these recipes I have the ingredients to make. The kids will love it. The scone looks yummy. I agree about ingredients. At the point where you are making a treat it seems pointless to try to make it healthy. Part of having a treat is that it is a decadence you don’t normally indulge in.
Wow! 1963…I’m curious.
Oooh, you’re my competition. That’s OK. I love ya anyway.
Thanks for all the great tips. I have to go over and check out the chocolate portrait.
That cake looks so romantic, I am intrigued. I agree, Most meaning of holidays seems to get lost in commercialism.
Ginger-the cool thing about big families is the built in parties, right!
Emiline- good luck..I am very noncompetitive…altho I would love this. Marc and I need the time away.
Valli- it is the coolest thing…thanks for checking in
Inge- always good to see you. I have been praying for you..
Yep, the kids love the parties,and I love doing the parties. Now I just have to figure out how to celebrate in a way that makes them have a special day without having to deal with repercussions from other quarters.