Valentine's Day party recipes for kids

Decorate heart-shaped Rice Krispies treats to create cute Valentine's munchies that kids (and adults) will love.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 package (10 ounces, about 40) regular marshmallows or 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• Food coloring (optional)
• 6 cups Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal
• Canned frosting or decorating gel
• Assorted candies

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir slowly until completely melted. Stir in food coloring (if desired). Remove from heat.
2. Add Rice Krispies cereal into the pan and stir until well coated.
3. Using a buttered spatula or wax paper, evenly press mixture into 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool slightly. Using cookie cutters coated with cooking spray, cut into desired shapes. Decorate with frosting and candies. Best if served the same day.

Microwave directions:

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat butter and marshmallows on high for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.

Recipe and image courtesy of Kellogg's

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 8 (2 x 2-inch) purchased baked brownies, crumbled into pieces (about 2 cups)
• 2 cups fresh raspberries or dark sweet cherries, pitted
• 1 cup chocolate ice cream topping
• Unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)

Directions:

1. Chill a large mixing bowl for an hour in the refrigerator. Add whipping cream, sugar and vanilla to the bowl and beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form; set aside.
2. Divide half of the crumbled brownies between 4 large parfait glasses or water goblets. Divide half of the raspberries, ice cream topping and whipped cream between the glasses, creating layers. Repeat layers with remaining brownies, raspberries, ice cream topping and whipped cream. If desired, sprinkle with cocoa powder. Serve immediately or cover and chill up to 4 hours.

Recipe and image courtesy of BHG.com

Chocolate and strawberries are perfectly suited for a Valentine's Day party. Consider renting a chocolate fountain to allow kids to dip their fruit. You don't have to stick with just strawberries. Any kind of fruit, pieces of cake, pretzels and even potato chips are terrific when dipped in chocolate.

If you are going to serve more than treats, make heart-shaped grilled cheese sandwiches. Simply use a large cookie cutter to cut the bread into hearts before making the sandwiches. (Save the crust and trimmings to make croutons or stuffing, or just feed the birds.)

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